What does this picture mean to you?

 

For those of you who work in the theatre or production, you probably don't run into software like SAP very often, if ever. We on the manufacturing side of things have a lot of data to manage- sales data, the daily management of stuff coming into the factory so that manufactured stuff goes out of the factory in working condition... There are a few companies out there who make software similar to SAP, but suffice it to say it becomes the hub of all information at a company like ETC.

Why am I telling you this? Mainly because I'm going through SAP training today, and I'm a lighting designer by training and a marketing person by trade. This kind of software makes my eyes bleed (so, I am appreciative of the training, because it makes my forays into software like this easier.) Experiences like these inform my decisions about the lighting software we develop - I would like you to have an easier time using our software than I have using SAP, for example. And this is why I'd like you to look at the icon below:

What does this picture mean to you?

If you are of a certain age, or have a certain history with technology, you might see one thing. If you're not that old, or have less of a history with technology, you probably will see something else. This classic icon, found on software all over the world, means "SAVE". The picture is a "floppy disk". If you have an Express console, you know floppies well. If you have a newer control system from us, you may also have never seen a floppy disk. Ever. This became clear in an earlier session of this training, where younger employees at ETC asked "why does the SAVE icon look like a Honda logo?"

#Facepalm

Thanks to Erin Gee, Trisha Traut and Bill Belleveau for the excellent SAP training and for sharing this heartwarming story of the impermanent nature of iconography.

 

Published 09-19-2011 4:17 AM by sclausen

Comments

# re: What does this picture mean to you?

Though I am quite familiar with the floppy disk, my first thought on seeing that icon was the Honda logo as well.   Perhaps because it's blown up larger than it would necessarily be on the actual app you are using is why I made the connection.  Once I read that it was the save icon, the disk became the first thing my mind went to.   Next we're going to have SD cards or USB sticks for save icons, confusing all us older folk.  

Monday, September 19, 2011 12:05 PM by Holztech

# re: What does this picture mean to you?

well my first thought on seeing the icon was mobile sim card holder.but once i read that is was the save icon,the image got clear in mind.

Monday, October 31, 2011 2:53 AM by rosepatil.rp

# re: What does this picture mean to you?

That means save... but doesn't Microsoft still have a version of that to save their files?

Wednesday, November 02, 2011 1:06 PM by milan

# re: What does this picture mean to you?

When I do SAP training here in Middleton I actually tell folks "Now save by hitting the Honda button."

Thursday, November 10, 2011 4:57 PM by dramer

# re: What does this picture mean to you?

Is a button  !!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011 2:50 AM by bluejin39

# re: What does this picture mean to you?

Save Button!

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Tuesday, December 20, 2011 11:46 PM by Harrytyson

# re: What does this picture mean to you?

Save Button, definitely and hey, i think a floppy as a symbol for save is still ok as long they use an envelop for the "sending an email" button.

Monday, April 23, 2012 5:40 AM by siaml

# re: What does this picture mean to you?

As a high school student I even know what a floppy disk is.

Friday, November 16, 2012 1:08 AM by Joeltebo

# re: What does this picture mean to you?

I do thow understand why it's a floppy disk for the button. I remember needing to have mine with me and after doing anything we had to put one in and press the icon. After flash drives came out it would be just silly to change it a flash drive.

Friday, November 16, 2012 1:12 AM by Joeltebo

# re: What does this picture mean to you?

Well I am old enough to recognize it as a floppy but it's upside down! :D

Monday, May 13, 2013 10:44 AM by acar