Hi Sam,
On Tue, 1 Apr 2003 07:21:08 +1000, Samuel W. Heywood wrote:
> Strictly speaking, "virus" is a very scientific term. It is the
> Linnaean taxonomical term derived from Latin and used for referring
> to a particular class of micro-organisms. In Latin "virii" would be
> the plural form. The scientific community has a fetish for
> conserving proper Latin constructs. If you were speaking with
> bio-medical scientists "virri" would be the most preferred and
> acceptable form of the plural.
As I said in my last posting, my Latin stuck. And I am a scientist,
so you have got that exactly right.
> Computer "viruses" are so-called because they replicate themselves in
> a manner analogous to the organisms known to biological scientists as
> "virii". I have read in several sources that that the first computer
> virus was created and designed by a famous biological scientist as a
> demonstration project to show in an analogous manner how biological
> virii replicate.
On the other hand, non-scientists may call them what they wish. I am
sure the virii don't mind.
As I tell my friends; call me anything but late for dinner.
Regards,
Ron
Ron Clarke
http://homepages.valylink.net.au/~ausreg/index.html
http://tadpole.aus.as
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