P3D Re: stereopticon or stereoscope?

[George Themelis <gthemelis@xxxxxxxxx>]

I have this theory that "stereopticon" sounds better for the
average person than "stereoscope", that's why it is used more
frequently.  

"Stereopticon" is a nice word.  Stereopsis is the mechanism by
which we see stereo and stereopticon is the instrument by which
we see stereo.  Too bad it was misused and applied to something
that has nothing to do with stereo.  Stereoscope is a good term
too since the second part means "to view" so stereoscope is an
instrument to view stereo, i.e. a stereo viewer.

Any stereo viewer can be called "stereoscope".  For example, in
earlier literature we read about a "View-Master stereoscope". 
But for most people stereoscope is a viewer for stereo prints.

I try to educate people not to use the term stereopticon for
stereoscope but I feel I am wasting my time.

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George Themelis (DrT-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
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