On Tue, Jan 30, 2001 at 10:37:54AM -0500, dougmack@i-2000.com wrote:
At 05:29 PM 01/29/2001 -0500, you wrote:
While we are swapping trivia what does 'ping' stand for? I think it is Persistent InterNet Groper.
"ping" comes from SONAR. The sonar device sends out a short burst of sound that sounds like "ping" when you hear it. If it bounces off of something, you may have found an enemy submarine. The time it takes to hear the bounce is an indication of distance. In a similar fashion, you ping an address to see if it's there, and how long it takes to reply. (Or just to see if your internet connection is working.)
I thought it originally stood for 'Packet InterNet Groper' (as well as the obvious sonar link -- David Smith Tel: +44 (0)1454 462380 (direct) STMicroelectronics Fax: +44 (0)1454 617910 1000 Aztec West TINA (ST only): (065) 2380 Almondsbury Home: 01454 616963 BRISTOL Mobile: 07932 642724 BS32 4SQ Work Email: Dave.Smith@st.com Home Email: David.Smith@ds-electronics.co.uk