"rev" stands for what?

[sahnert]

i assume "rev" as in "15" PB rev B" stands for REVision. If so "rev A" is a misnomer because it's the first and not really a revision. If not what does it stand for?

[Doctor Q]

Yes, rev is for revision. Sometimes people use it as a synonym for "version" which, as you point out, isn't quite the same.

Although the words aren't used quite correctly, there is actually a practical advantage to giving a revision letter to the first version of a product: You can tell when a revision has been specified. For example, suppose there was a product named the iTaste and its first version was called Rev A. If I'm selling it and my notice said one of these:

iTaste Rev A
or
iTaste Rev B
etc.

you would know which version it was. If my notice said

iTaste

you would know I hadn't specified which revision it was.

However, if the first version of the product was simply called iTaste and the rest of them were called Rev A, Rev B, etc., then you'd know what I was selling if I said

iTaste Rev A
or
iTaste Rev B
etc.

but if I had the first version and said

iTaste

you wouldn't be sure if I meant the first version or hadn't specified the version!

[candan9019]

Ya, it means revision. I always wondered about the rev A thing as well, I guess it's better then using something else to confuse people.

I got in too late. Oh well.

[sahnert]

i think i would call it

Original iTaste

and then

iTaste Rev X or whatever.

But you are right it is much more convenient with just Rev A. And I suppose if everyone knows what you mean then it's correct. Thats how language evolves.

Thanks for clarifying that and letting me know that I'm not completely crazy.

[Kwyjibo]

Also its not like these products aren't tested / modified at all, its like when you write a program, you've done a lot of revising by the time oyu get to 1.0 so calling it the first revision/final draft

[Sweetfeld28]

ithink that the Rev. A is supposed to be the first Revision of the Developed Prototype, or like in cars— the Concept Design.

[Vector]

If you think about it, revision a is not really a misnomer. Revision a is the first complete design ready for mass production, but many designs were made prior to this so revision a is just a revision of the prototypes.

[revenuee]

Hows this for a theory


switching from Ti to Alu is a Revision

SO

Rev A means thats it's the first revision of a previews release just like revision B is the second revision of previews release....

Although this would work assuming the first powerbook ever made wasn't a REV A

[sahnert]

Originally posted by Kwyjibo
Also its not like these products aren't tested / modified at all, its like when you write a program, you've done a lot of revising by the time oyu get to 1.0 so calling it the first revision/final draft

But then it reallly wouldn't be REV A or the "first" revision if "A" is a sequential modifier of "REV" because as you say there is "a lot" of revising before the first version comes out.

How about this:
Switch the "r" and the "v". "VER A" and "VER B" where the A becomes the tile of the first version released to the public and the previous versions are entitled "build x".

I've spen't way too much time on this thread...