The Save Icon

Did you recognize what these icons are used for?

I bet majority of us must have recognize it. It is the so-called “Save Operation” icon. (always wonder what they save us from )

But what this image actually represents?

Yes the image represents a Floppy Disk. And the reason is that long a go floppy disk was the most commonly used visible storage media. That’s why it has become a standard image for save operation.

Wikipedia has a more detail entry.

For more than two decades, the floppy disk was the primary external writable storage device used. Also, in a non-network environment, floppies have been the primary means of transferring data between computers (sometimes jokingly referred to as Sneakernet or Frisbeenet). Floppy disks are also, unlike hard disks, handled and seen; even a novice user can identify a floppy disk (although this may change as they become less common). Because of all these factors, the image of the floppy disk has become a metaphor for saving data, and the floppy disk symbol is often seen in programs on buttons and other user interface elements related to saving files.

Although Dell still sell Floppy drives but Europe’s one of the largest computer store PC world store do not like floppies anymore.

But one thing is for sure Floppy drive does not represent the “primary external writable storage device” anymore.

So is not the time has come to change this Save icon image. Tango Desktop (help create a consistent graphical user interface experience for free and Open Source software) uses hard drive for the save action.

What you think should be the represented image for Save Action?

OR what other images you have seen for this action?

~TH