Naming Schemes...
Usually I use opera which does allow me to supersize my p0rn, but unfortunately I wrote that particular piece whilst at work, using IE.
I do realise the difference between firestorm and radeon (actually, I don't... I haven't checked to see what a firestorm card is, and am not likely to do so, as I'm not in the market for a new card, but I do realise that they are not the same ;o)
When it's time to buy another card I will probably look into the difference between all the different models of graphics cards again... (which, because my pc is rather old at this point, will also coincide with the purchase of all the other parts as well (possibly except for the hard drives).
Problem is though, that while I'll probably spend a few days checking out models, benchmarks, value for money, and the ubiquitous naming scheme, I don't think most buyers will. They will probably make their determination based on the name/number on the box in the shop, and the number on the price tag. Which is a concern. One of my local electronics shops still has a radeon 9250 agp card (256mb, my old one is 128.. should I upgrade?) for sale for 30 quid. Which is, as far as I can tell, not a terribly good price at this point in time.
Now, as far as comparing Corvettes and Cavaliers, the fact that both say 2008 tells me as a buyer that they're probably a bit better than the equivalent 1978 models (notice how the numbers increase with each model).. Although this is not always true for cars (that this years model is always better and faster than last years) it usually does hold true for graphic cards. I can also tell that the Corvette has a V8 engine, which is likely to burn quite a bit of fuel.. I imagine that the Cavalier would burn a bit less... I'd also imagine that the Corvette would have a few more horsepowers (Being european you must forgive me for a lack of knowledge regarding Chevrolet models).
But even as I know next to nothing about american cars, I can still make a educated guess as to their performance, because of the (fairly) consistent naming schemes.. now Imagine what would happen if Ford suddenly decided that they would start to name their models +1000 years? which one is the better buy, the 2008 Corvette or the 3002 Ford Escort? Never mind the 9250 Hyundai... We used V8 last year to describe the angle of the cylinders and the number of them, but this year that will mean something else... this year that particular configuration will be known as the 4DA (4 Double Angled), and V8 will be the term to designate our Value-8 range. It might change again next year.
Or we might restart our numbering scheme from 1900 again.
This sounds like a rant, and it is, but it's not really directed at you CommiePinguin.. it's more to do with the fact that I'll probably have to research again what graphics card to buy later this year... and I'm looking forward to it like a visit to the dentist :o)