Master
and Slave
Op/Ed by tOM Trottier
The controversy about labelling some electronic equipment with "master"
or "slave" is not solved by labelling them "primary"
and "secondary" as this implies another frame of reference or
unknown ordinal dimension. Primary could mean, "This loses power
last," or "Change this control first," or "Connect
this up first," or "This is the control for the lead singer."
"Primary" and "Secondary" do not reflect the relationship between the machines or controls identified by the labels. The purpose of "master" and "slave" labels is to identify which is in charge. The Slave machines or controls are either dictated to by the Master machine or control, or have their settings overridden by the Master. Master and Slave are very accurate labels!
Using "Primary" and "Secondary" labels is a poor solution. The terms are not informative. But "master" and "slave" bring up bad memories, especially in recording studios.
Why not use labels
which say "This is in charge" and "This takes orders,"
or more succinctly, "Boss" and "Serf." Mixing times
and cultures can take away the sting of past wrongs while retaining accuracy.
tOM Trottier
Ottawa, Ontario
tOM@Abacurial.com
"They that
can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve
neither liberty nor safety."
~ Benjamin Franklin
tOM Trottier
is a computer
consultant in Ottawa who enjoys bridge and photography. He sometimes gets
mad at the injustices of the world and wishes people could compromise
for the sake of peace.
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Page updated Nov. 28, 2003