[orca-list] Two questions about Linux termanology

[Christopher-Mark Gilland <clgilland07 gmail com>]

Guys,

I have two really quick questions about a few terms in the Linux realm of speaking.

First of all, let's talk about the term I have in regards to Orca. I know what it means to use flat review to 
survey the screen, but I'm curious. Where does the word "flat" come from? Why specifically do we use the term 
flat review? I guess what I'm saying is, I don't understand the concept here in this context of where flat 
came from. Is it actually an acronym?

My second question is a little bit more complex, but not by much.

When installing things under Linux regardless the process you take to do so, we often talk about installing a 
package. We hardly ever say installing a program, or installing an application. When I think of a package, I 
go back to in real life nontechnical terms. A package is generally something which contains multiple items to 
make up the bigger picture, if you will.

Most packages on Linux can't be installed alone. Some can, I know, but most cannot be. They require other 
packages/libraries, or rather, dependencies, to function correctly.

Is this why we call things packages in the Linux world? Is it mainly because the hierarchy of a full 
installation usually consists of the main thing you want to install, but then along with it, you usually will 
pull other things as well in the process in order to have full functionality? Therefore, you're not 
technically installing just one thing. You're installing a package, as it's a full set of things. The main 
application, but then also all the dependencies. Is this a valid way of looking at it? Before anyone comes to 
me and says, who cares! It's what it is, just deal with it, please don't be rude! I think this is truly an 
interesting question at hand. If you feel otherwise, just hit your delete key, but don't troll me for asking 
a totally innocent question.

Chris.