Save icon: Still a floppy disk? [closed]

Answer 1

When there's a problem with some code we say there's a 'bug' in it, even though the last time that actually happened was over 60 years ago!

Answer 2

As pointed out by others the floppy disk icon is embeded in peoples understanding of computer user interfaces as the standard visual representation of the act of saving something.
The use of the floppy disk icon is a reflection of the technology that was prevailent at the time and so represented something the average user could quickkly associate with the act of saving a file.

The fact that the action of saving is still visually represented by the floppy disk in spite of it's rapid demise in recent times demonstrates the strength of association between the icon and the act of saving a file. If one were to attempt tp change the icon one would need to choose an image which is

1. Easily associatable with the act of saving as the floppy disk already is
2. Likely to remain in use, or at least in recognition, long enough for a sufficiently high number of people to recognise it

While I do acknowlege that the floppy disk has certainly outlived it's usefulness as the primary storage media of choice, I don't see it's role as the save icon ending in the near future.

If the icon were to change I believe major OS and hardware vendors would need to support such a change, which I don't believe is likely as doing so would potentially alienate a large number of existing users

Answer 3

How about a reel tape drive like they had in the old Sci-Fi movies:

+-----+
|() ()|
| \ / |
|  W  |
+-----+

This icon would be timeless!

Answer 4

I think in general the floppy disc icon has become the accepted save icon, even if it doesn't have much bearing any more with flash memory and DVD's being pretty ubiquitous. Frankly, if a program had an icon for saving that was something like a memory stick or HDD, most users wouldn't be able to pick it out as the save icon.

Answer 5

Use an icon containing two characters:

:w

Answer 6

It's still in Windows' standard toolbar image list.

Nobody has seen a hard-drive, but that doesn't stop the icon from being one. To most users: a hard drive is that box on the floor.

It's the stylized symbol that is important. The picture can be a red cricket - as long as everyone associates that red cricket with saving.