[IxDA Discuss] The old Play/Pause toggle

[Jim Drew]

>From: Sebi Tauciuc <stauciuc at gmail.com>
>
>Jim Said:
>My wife has a similar problem with video cameras. The accepted standard for
>indicating recording is a red status light (does anyone know why? I don't),
>but in her mind red means "stopped/off" and green means "running/on" because
>in other aspects of life, red means stop and green means go.
>
>Great observation! A lot of cameras (if not all) use a red light for
>recording (maybe it's because the Rec button is red, as opposed to the green
>Play button).

I've always assumed a connection to the "On Air" signs outside a radio studio, which are red.  Or the red light traditionally outside a darkroom when it's in use.  Or the red light visible on the TV camera when it is on.  The clear meaning in all these contexts is "Pay attention to what's going on!"

In that context, a red stoplight is the same thing.

-- Jim (but a different Jim)