Talk:Dot matrix printer

WHY Dot matrix printers

Hi. I reverted you at Dot matrix printers for two reasons. The first is that I don't see why we need two articles on this topic. Is there some reason why we need separate articles on dot matrix printers and dot matrix printing? If not, then the correct solution is to rename ("move") the existing article, not to create a new article with a different title.

The second reason is that even if we need two articles, the article title guideline would require the new article to be Dot matrix printer, not Dot matrix printers. Except in special cases, we don't use plural nouns as article titles.--Srleffler (talk) 07:20, 12 December 2017 (UTC)

Rather than deal with dot matrix, dot matrix printing, the tidbits from the CZECH (translated) article, and the various other articles, all with Wiki notes atop them, I did a mini-blow-it-up/start all over. My goal was an article from which to not only have a stand-along but also a collection of sources for the others too.
As for single/plural, the goal was to incorporate not only DEC dot matrix printers, which would not by itself justify the plural, but also -- as it makes sense -- incorporate info re other brands/implementations. The article already had some info along these lines.
Although I didn't incorporate DETAILS re the serial vs. parallel interface issue, a MAJOR matter at the time due to people needing collections of various types of cables (boxes under some administrators' desks), etc. etc. FOR THIS REASON, PLURAL is the correct usage.
A box of apples, oranges and grapefruits might be called by some a box of fruit, and by others a box of FRUITS, since there are multiple types.

Even if my example is a bit "fruity," the reason for the plural can be justified re " Except in special cases, we don't use plural nouns as article titles." Pi314m (talk) 07:35, 12 December 2017 (UTC)

The more direct answer is: The concept of DOT MATRIX PRINTING is also, logically, about laser printing and inkjet printing. Dot Matrix PRINTERS are hardware. Pi314m (talk) 07:55, 12 December 2017 (UTC)

There currently is an intermix of CONCEPT (including the article on Dot Matrix) and Implementation. Rather than change the tires while the truck is rolling, I'm building a new box (to mix metaphors). Editing OUT what is in the wrong place, if I'm successful, will also be part of this; citations too. Pi314m (talk) 08:17, 12 December 2017 (UTC)

Progress report: I added re impact vs non-impact to the Dot matrix article. There actually were TWO NYTimes articles that addressed this, but I only cited one, and not even the better of the pair. The HARDWARE info is in the wrong article. Pi314m (talk) 08:51, 12 December 2017 (UTC)

It sounds like you have a plan for what belongs here vs. at Dot matrix printing, so I'll leave that be. The title still needs to be fixed, though. This is not an exception to WP:SINGULAR.--Srleffler (talk) 05:16, 13 December 2017 (UTC)

Requested move 13 December 2017

The following is a closed discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a move review. No further edits should be made to this section.

The result of the move request was: Move. We have unanimous consensus for the WP:SINGULAR version. Cúchullain ^t/c 15:24, 21 December 2017 (UTC)

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Dot matrix printers → Dot matrix printer – This seems like a straightforward application of WP:SINGULAR to me, but I'm listing it as a contested move since from the discussion above it seems that Pi314m disagrees. Srleffler (talk) 05:22, 13 December 2017 (UTC)

• Support I think the gist of the argument is that Dot matrix printing describes the act, while this is supposed to be something of a list of dot matrix printers. That said, dot matrix printing is not necessarily done by a dot matrix printer, so therefore this can still be an article about the specific type of printer. Support move to singular version of title._{ZXCVBNM (TALK)} 10:02, 13 December 2017 (UTC)
• Support In ictu oculi (talk) 10:17, 13 December 2017 (UTC)
• Support The singular form is better, in this instance. scope_creep (talk) 12:11, 13 December 2017 (UTC)
• author comment: The New York Times citation mentions that they say "dot-matrix impact printer" when using singular. Another type of printer, introduced by IBM 13 years earlier, was a non-impact dot matrix printer. By this notion, there are TWO types of "dot matrix printer" - impact and non-impact. Hence in this instance, the plural has standing, even if (thus far) outvoted. Pi314m (talk) 18:49, 13 December 2017 (UTC)
  • No, that still doesn't preclude the use of the singular. "Dot-matrix printer" refers to the overarching category that contains impact and non-impact. As in: "The dot-matrix printer can be separated into impact and non-impact models"._{ZXCVBNM (TALK)} 19:42, 13 December 2017 (UTC)

• Google "can be separated into" site:wikipedia.org found a PLURAL as its first hit, and said "...they can be separated into" - not "it can be ..."
  SECOND hit was "Some mixtures can be separated..."
  The 3rd hit appears to be on your side: "Conversion can be separated into instantaneous conversion and overall conversion."
  To make it fit, the sentence needs an extra word, e.g. "The dot-matrix printer {CLASS,CATEGORY,GROUPING} can be separated into impact and non-impact models." If not for the addition of CLASS/CATEGORY/... the sentence would have to read "Dot-matrix printers can be separated into..." (unless "The dot-matrix printer" was a person: a printer (=a person) who makes dot-matrices/matrixes).
  Other Gooogle examples in favor of plural followed. You may have the Singular they on your side, but since the dot-matrix printer is not a person, plural makes for better grammar. Pi314m (talk) 20:56, 13 December 2017 (UTC)

• Support WP:SINGULAR. Simples. Lithopsian (talk) 21:05, 13 December 2017 (UTC)
• Author's "vote" - Touche! I'll take 3 SIMPLES. Admin, please wrap it up. Pi314m (talk) 23:19, 13 December 2017 (UTC)
• Support, use singular unless specifically excepted, as it has been for ages. Hill Crest's WikiLaser! (BOOM!) 00:31, 14 December 2017 (UTC)

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The above discussion is preserved as an archive of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on this talk page or in a move review. No further edits should be made to this section.