Why is it called the recycle bin!?

[suneohair]

So I was sitting here thinking about how my physical trash can looks like the Mac OS trash icon and how lots of people here have the same trash cans. :p

Anyhow, then I thought, "Wow, Windows calls it the recycle bin. But what is being recycled? Well... nothing... What a silly name!"

Sorry if others have had this epiphany. But I just have to wonder why the heck it is called the Recycle Bin. Unless Microsoft downloads your data for reuse.... :eek:

[babyjenniferLB]

So I was sitting here thinking about how my physical trash can looks like the Mac OS trash icon and how lots of people here have the same trash cans. :p

Anyhow, then I thought, "Wow, Windows calls it the recycle bin. But what is being recycled? Well... nothing... What a silly name!"

Sorry if others have had this epiphany. But I just have to wonder why the heck it is called the Recycle Bin. Unless Microsoft downloads your data for reuse.... :eek:

you are recyleing the bits.

[PhightinPhils26]

once upon a time windows stole the idea (big suprise right?) of a trash can from apple... apple sued so microsoft had to change it!

[suneohair]

you are recyleing the bits.

I think that is reaching a bit... Logical explanation though.

[phungy]

A blonde walks into a computer shop and asks for a curtain.
The sales rep asks "What do you need the curtain for?"
She replied "I've got windows."

:D:apple:

[CalBoy]

once upon a time windows stole the idea (big suprise right?) of a trash can from apple... apple sued so microsoft had to change it!

you are recyleing the bits.

Both of these have some truthful elements.

I don't know if Apple sued Microsoft, but I'm sure Apple sent a letter to Microsoft with copies of their copyright certificates attached;) Microsoft probably backed down from there (as it is a fight that is very hard to win).

However, when it comes to "Trash" versus "Recycle Bin" there is a small difference. In Windows, the Recycle Bin only takes files and the like. Programs must be removed via the Control Panel. Otherwise, however, Mircosoft simply needed to find another name for what is essentially Apple's idea. In fact, I still hear most Windows refer to it as "the Trash" even though it has been the Recycle Bin for a very long time.

[IJ Reilly]

once upon a time windows stole the idea (big suprise right?) of a trash can from apple... apple sued so microsoft had to change it!

It has nothing to do with a lawsuit, but the thought is correct. Just as Microsoft put the desktop icons on the left side of the desktop instead of the right, they called the trash the recycle bin to differentiate Windows from the Mac. It's just one example of the many silly things Microsoft does in a futile effort to appear to have original ideas.

The recycle bin makes little sense as a concept, unless you have a geek awareness of bits and bytes -- which of course few users do. Apple also spent quite a bit of effort determining that placing icons on the right side of the desktop has cognitive advantages. Microsoft swapped them to the left just to be different, and because they don't care about human engineering.

[CalBoy]

Apple also spent quite a bit of effort determining that placing icons on the right side of the desktop has cognitive advantages. Microsoft swapped them to the left just to be different, and because they don't care about human engineering.

Out of curiosity, what are some of those advantages?

[IJ Reilly]

Out of curiosity, what are some of those advantages?

Say, are you following me around? :)

I had to know somebody would ask that question. I don't honestly recall, but I do remember a lot discussion about this, particularly after Windows 95 was released. The answer may be in Andy Hertzfeld's book or Jef Raskin's book, both of which I have. I'll look it up when I get a chance.

[CalBoy]

Say, are you following me around? :)
I did post in this thread first...if anything, you're stalking me:eek::)


I had to know somebody would ask that question. I don't honestly recall, but I do remember a lot discussion about this, particularly after Windows 95 was released. The answer may be in Andy Hertzfeld's book or Jef Raskin's book, both of which I have. I'll look it up when I get a chance.

:cool: Once my month of midterms is over, I'll read over the dissertation you're sure to write me:p

[northernmunky]

Since I'm not north American I don't use the word 'trash' and I agree it is a bit annoying to see... so why not rename it to simply 'The Bin' :p

http://www.macworld.com/2006/02/secrets/marchmacosxhints/index2.php

[northernmunky]

Since I'm not north American I don't use the word 'trash' and I agree it is a bit annoying to see... so why not rename it to simply 'The Bin' :p

http://www.macworld.com/2006/02/secrets/marchmacosxhints/index2.php

I'll reply to my own post....
Just tried it... works a treat! Very easy to do although those Terminal commands didn't work for me. Found it easier just to go to Dock.app, right click and 'Show Package Contents' and copy the file to the desktop and edit in TextEdit.

Seriously... the average human being does not know how to use Terminal!

[phuong]

in Windows, open the Trash can (or the Recycle Bin, or whatever you call it)
then right-click on one of the items, you'll see an option to "restore" it to its original place.

the same thing can't be done with the Mac's Trash (at least for now). say, you deleted a bunch of files and realize you've made a mistake. now it'll be a pain in your arse to try to remember which file goes to which place.
================

people've been bragging about MS steals ideas from Apple (or Xerox, or whatever). but ive never seen anyone bragging about how the Mac's mice now have left and right buttons.

whatabout the new bt keyboard with the number pad trimmed down? i thought the first keyboard to have that feature was the dinovo keyboard from Logitech.

all linux distros have their trash cans. why nobody talks about it?

i heard that Leopard comes with a feature called "Space" or "Spaces" or whatever. i thought this's been on all linux since forever? and now this guy who wrote "virtue desktop" has to stop his project because of "Spaces". sounds like how Internet Explorer kills Netscape to me.

[elppa]

Since I'm not north American I don't use the word 'trash' and I agree it is a bit annoying to see... so why not rename it to simply 'The Bin' :p

http://www.macworld.com/2006/02/secrets/marchmacosxhints/index2.php

I remember the "Wastebasket" in the British localised version of the Mac OS.

I believe this got "trashed" for 8.6 or 9.0, one of the two.

I have now changed it in the Dock thanks to the instructions. I also changed it in the finder by modifying /System/Library/Core Services/Finder/Contents/Resources/English.lproj/Localiable.strings.

[CalBoy]

in Windows, open the Trash can (or the Recycle Bin, or whatever you call it)
then right-click on one of the items, you'll see an option to "restore" it to its original place.

Can't you just drag what's in your trash to whereever you want?

[Tom B.]

I have pondered over this question many a time, but have found no logical explanation. Maybe it's subliminal messaging made by Microsoft to make people think of them as a environmentally concerned company? Of course not.

I renamed it Trash on my old HP laptop anyway.

[EricNau]

Funny, recycle bin has always made more sense to me.

[Nermal]

I remember the "Wastebasket" in the British localised version of the Mac OS.

I renamed mine to Wastebasket years ago :)

[colocolo]

in Windows, open the Trash can (or the Recycle Bin, or whatever you call it)
then right-click on one of the items, you'll see an option to "restore" it to its original place.

the same thing can't be done with the Mac's Trash (at least for now). say, you deleted a bunch of files and realize you've made a mistake. now it'll be a pain in your arse to try to remember which file goes to which place.

To be fair, you could do this on a mac until OS 9.



people've been bragging about MS steals ideas from Apple (or Xerox, or whatever). but ive never seen anyone bragging about how the Mac's mice now have left and right buttons.


The invention is the mouse, not the amount of buttons :p Or if a door vendor adds a third lock to it by default, the guy that had 3 locks before can claim he is stealing his door idea (if that makes sense)?


whatabout the new bt keyboard with the number pad trimmed down? i thought the first keyboard to have that feature was the dinovo keyboard from Logitech.


Just like every single Apple Laptop keyboard to date :)
By the way, if Logitech decided to come with a keyboard with just one shift and then Apple came with a single Shift design, they would be copying too? Just as in the mouse example, there is a limit as to what constitutes "feature stealing"


i heard that Leopard comes with a feature called "Space" or "Spaces" or whatever. i thought this's been on all linux since forever? and now this guy who wrote "virtue desktop" has to stop his project because of "Spaces". sounds like how Internet Explorer kills Netscape to me.


I could give you half a point here. But:
Actually, many Unix flavors do come with this feature, it wasn't born in Linux. Apple is just late to implement it, but it is in its OS roots in some way. I think it would be unfair to claim they "copy" a feature from Unix if they run BSD, don't you think? :)

BTW, the example doesn't relate at all with the whole Explorer-Netscape thingy.

[kwood]

You would think with Apple making a move to Greener technology they would want to call it recycle bin. Whatever happened to caring about the environment? Computers feel the effect of global warming too you know...

Makes me want to switch back to Microsoft. At least Bill cares about the 3 R's.

Although Apple has 5 R's (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303940)... weird.

ok... I am done for the night, you can put your produce down.

[Cromulent]

So I was sitting here thinking about how my physical trash can looks like the Mac OS trash icon and how lots of people here have the same trash cans. :p

Anyhow, then I thought, "Wow, Windows calls it the recycle bin. But what is being recycled? Well... nothing... What a silly name!"

Sorry if others have had this epiphany. But I just have to wonder why the heck it is called the Recycle Bin. Unless Microsoft downloads your data for reuse.... :eek:

I could say the same about the trash can in OS X. Everyone knows it's rubbish not trash :).

Bring back the Wastebasket.

[portent]

It has nothing to do with a lawsuit...

Actually, it does. Apple Computer, Inc. v. Microsoft Corporation, 35 F.3d 1435 (9th Cir. 1994)

"Everyone knows" how it worked out...Apple sued Microsoft claiming that Windows violated Apple copyrights* and lost, right?

Right...except that Apple did win one minor point. HP was also sued at the same time, and the judge ruled that the design of the Trash can icon in HP's GUI was similar enough.

When Microsoft made its trash can for Win95, it made darned sure that it couldn't be confused with Apple's.

(*Yes, it was a copyright suit, not a patent suit. Yes, I know the difference. Please read the caselaw if you really care.)

[IJ Reilly]

Actually, it does. Apple Computer, Inc. v. Microsoft Corporation, 35 F.3d 1435 (9th Cir. 1994)

"Everyone knows" how it worked out...Apple sued Microsoft claiming that Windows violated Apple copyrights* and lost, right?

Right...except that Apple did win one minor point. HP was also sued at the same time, and the judge ruled that the design of the Trash can icon in HP's GUI was similar enough.

When Microsoft made its trash can for Win95, it made darned sure that it couldn't be confused with Apple's.

(*Yes, it was a copyright suit, not a patent suit. Yes, I know the difference. Please read the caselaw if you really care.)

The "look and feel" lawsuit was dismissed, mainly because Apple had licensed elements of the Mac GUI to Microsoft several years earlier. Microsoft did not have to change anything they were doing or planning on doing with Windows as a result.

And yes, I really do care.

[DaveF]

The NeXT Computer, the spiritual forbear to Mac OS X, first used the Recycle concept for computer trash.

http://escience.anu.edu.au/lecture/cg/Import/GUI_Timeline/NeXTstep.jpg

It seems Windows copied the theme from NeXT.

[QuarterSwede]

The NeXT Computer, the spiritual forbear to Mac OS X, first used the Recycle concept for computer trash.

http://escience.anu.edu.au/lecture/cg/Import/GUI_Timeline/NeXTstep.jpg

It seems Windows copied the theme from NeXT.
Now that's funny!

[RacerX]

It seems Windows copied the theme from NeXT.Well, before NeXT's recycler appeared (in NEXTSTEP 2.0 as I recall), the icon was a black hole.

:rolleyes:

So in a way Windows Vista seems to have copied that also. :eek:

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

I renamed mine some time ago:

86472

;)

[wongulous]

Well, honestly, the "Recycle Bin" makes more physical/literal sense--it is recycling (or REUSING) your disk space, the tiny bits of magnetic information stored on your hard disk's platters, for later use. Just like melting down your pop cans so they can later be made into other things like cars, iPods, more cans, lightpoles, etc etc. It's also a little more realistic a concept because with most systems (until Leopard's Secure Erase feature), file data does just stay there until actually overwritten.

But the "Trash" makes more symbolic sense, because it's pretending that your files are real and that if you want them gone, you put them into a trash can and they disappear. You would seemingly have unlimited space, or at least you, the average end user, should be unaware of the concept of limited storage on the disk that is used over and over as files are deleted, written, deleted, written. This seems a little more 1980s-burgeoning-inventive-Apple-GUI-innovations to me in the sense that it's very iconic and meaningful to the uninitiated and the concept is transparently obvious. You can see this illustrated by people in this very thread, asking what their file data is being recycled into not realizing that it's the disk space being recycled, not the files put into there.

All this said, I've always thought that there should be two "trash cans." A recycling bin and an incinerator. :) Recycling bin is just like what our trash is now, and the incinerator would be a secure erase delete.

[JFreak]

As long as they don't call it "the trash", they can call it whatever they like to. That's what they've always done; here's few famous examples:

*) Moving Apple menu from top to bottom, replacing Apple icon with Start button. Now the menu intuitively "drops up" instead of dropping down. Plus, because the menu is on the bottom of the screen instead of staying on top, you need another menu for every application window. Clever.

*) Moving desktop icons from right to left, leaving them always below the open window that close to every person writing from left to right wants to have on the left side of the display. On the plus side, the desktop clutter almost always stays hidden. How sharp thinking! The user will rarely have to do desktop maintenance...

*) Moving Window Close/Minimize buttons from left to right. Ingenious! This will probably make it much easier for left-hand users to operate... they're majority, aren't they? No wait, they're not...

[DaveF]

Well, before NeXT's recycler appeared (in NEXTSTEP 2.0 as I recall), the icon was a black hole.

:rolleyes:

So in a way Windows Vista seems to have copied that also. :eek:

Yep. I missed the Blackhole when they switched to the Recycle arrows. The Blackhole had more pinache. But that was a lifetime ago, writing edu apps in NeXTSTEP in college :)

I have old floppy disks with all my NeXT code. I have no idea if they are even functional; I can't read them with conventional PC disk drives. :(

[IJ Reilly]

But the "Trash" makes more symbolic sense, because it's pretending that your files are real and that if you want them gone, you put them into a trash can and they disappear.

Even more to the analogy, until your real or virtual trash is emptied, you can retrieve any item you've deposited there. I think this one of the main reasons Apple used the trash metaphor. The idea is to relate computer functions to activities people already understand. Recycling bits and bytes on a hard drive is not a readily transferrable concept. Most people don't know about, and don't need to know about, this technical function of their computers.

[twoodcc]

wow, this thread started off kinda funny, and then turned rather serious. come on, let's keep it funny

[Ninja Guidan]

It has nothing to do with a lawsuit, but the thought is correct. Just as Microsoft put the desktop icons on the left side of the desktop instead of the right, they called the trash the recycle bin to differentiate Windows from the Mac. It's just one example of the many silly things Microsoft does in a futile effort to appear to have original ideas.

The recycle bin makes little sense as a concept, unless you have a geek awareness of bits and bytes -- which of course few users do. Apple also spent quite a bit of effort determining that placing icons on the right side of the desktop has cognitive advantages. Microsoft swapped them to the left just to be different, and because they don't care about human engineering.

Yep...plus "recycle bin" sounds so much better than "garbage can."

[HLdan]

in Windows, open the Trash can (or the Recycle Bin, or whatever you call it)
then right-click on one of the items, you'll see an option to "restore" it to its original place.

the same thing can't be done with the Mac's Trash (at least for now). say, you deleted a bunch of files and realize you've made a mistake. now it'll be a pain in your arse to try to remember which file goes to which place.


Um, what are you talking about? Make sure you got it together before you post or understand how you posed your sentence.
First off, in Windows the only reason you need to restore anything to the place it was before it got dumped in the Recycle Bin is because you just can't drag and drop installed apps to the Recycle Bin and empty it. Since the Registry shares bits and pieces of files from applications installed you can easily mess up a file from another program by just dumping it.

On the Mac, there's no need to restore to it's original place. All you have to do is open the trash and drag the file or program back to the desktop and it works again since there's no stupid Registry mixing up the Mac's files.

Also on Windows or the Mac, if you empty the Trash or Recycle Bin you have to go through a lot of file restoration techniques to get back your files. It's not Mac specific as in your posting.

[DaveF]

Um, what are you talking about? Make sure you got it together before you post or understand how you posed your sentence.
First off, in Windows the only reason you need to restore anything to the place it was before it got dumped in the Recycle Bin is because you just can't drag and drop installed apps to the Recycle Bin and empty it. Since the Registry shares bits and pieces of files from applications installed you can easily mess up a file from another program by just dumping it.

On the Mac, there's no need to restore to it's original place. All you have to do is open the trash and drag the file or program back to the desktop and it works again since there's no stupid Registry mixing up the Mac's files.

Also on Windows or the Mac, if you empty the Trash or Recycle Bin you have to go through a lot of file restoration techniques to get back your files. It's not Mac specific as in your posting.Unfortunately, this is wholly wrong. In Windows, if you delete a file, you can undelete it from the Recycle bin. For example, you delete your PersonalFinance.xls from your C:/My Documents/Finance/2007/Budget folder. You then later realize that was a mistake and you're unsure exactly where you'd previously organized this file. You can "Restore" it and Windows will automatically put it back where it came from, in the same folder location.

This has nothing to do with uninstalling apps, the registry and unless you keep all your data on the desktop, it most certainly is useful to be able to restore data to its "original place." This would be a useful feature for the Mac. In general, I find my Mac trash bin la bit ess useful than the Windows Recycle Bin for reasons like this.