Re: Export vs. download and import vs. upload

On Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 8:01 PM, Nicole Maron <[email protected]> wrote:
> I'd say that exporting/importing generally refers to a change in file format
> from/to an application, or the movement of data in or out of an application
> for the purposes of manipulation in some other way. I.E., you export your
> contact list from your webmail into a .csv file so you can import it into
> your mail application.
>
> Uploading/downloading implies that the thing remains a discrete object in
> its original form. E.g. you download an add-on to be used as intended, or yu
> upload an image to be viewed by others in it's original form
>

When we're talking about client-server applications (generally
web-based applications) you're totally right, but unfortunately it
doesn't make much sense to talk about download/upload in the case of
the combination of a notebook computer and peripheral device, eg. a
camera and a laptop. Which one is down and which is up when you're the
photo management software on the laptop? You've taken a bunch of
photos while on vacation and now you want to _________ them to your
laptop.

Personally I've seen "import" in that context too many times to answer
"download" and have it feel right.

Again, I think in the context of client-server applications you're
right. A button that will cause an already-existing file to move from
a server to a client should be labeled "download" while a button that
causes a file to be generated dynamically and then given to the client
should be labeled "export".

Cheers,
-- 
Cristóbal M. Palmer
"Small acts of humanity amid the chaos of inhumanity provide hope. But
small acts are insufficient."
 -- Paul Rusesabagina