> Why call it firmware? It's basically a .VXD file that windoze uses.
>
> well, it's not hardware and it's a sub-set of software which is only to
> drive hardware, thus 'firm'ware. I guess you could call it a driver. In
> all, unless there is some consensus and the term that should be used, I
> believe that describing it as firmware is best, as though off-loaded for
> processing by the main CPU, it's the same functionality as if it were
> loaded onto the modem itself.... ;)
Calling it firmware is a mis-use of the term. [Soft,firm,hard]ware
refer to the ease of change. Firmware is changed by reprogramming a
PROM or programming a new ROM ... easier than rebuilding hardware but
not as trivial as modifying software.
Ah, I like that explanation! I'll change my descriptions of such in the
future... apologies to the original person that I dissented with.
> Drivers are software. At the rate they change these days, one might
> even call them squishyware ...
you forgot to add vaporware in the list of easily changed ;)
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