Curiosity re the term 'Kit' ?!?

[Bob McConnell]

Rick Stevens wrote:
> On 11/20/2009 12:46 PM, William Case wrote:
>> Hi;
>>
>> As I get ready to upgrade/install to F12 an old curiosity question comes
>> to mind.  Fedora now has several programs it has packaged with the
>> designation 'Kit'.  PolicyKit, PackageKit and FirstAidKit come to mind.
>> I assume it just means a bunch of programs, libraries and dependencies
>> bundled together.
>>
>> However, I have never actually seen a definition of a kit.  Has it ever
>> been formally defined?  Is it a Fedora/RedHat thing or is 'Kit' used
>> more generally.
>>
>> Don't get me wrong, I am not objecting.  In fact, I think adding 'Kit'
>> to a bundle is descriptive and memorable.  If there is a definition or
>> at least a clear understanding of what a 'Kit' means its addition to a
>> name can be that more informative.
>>
>> I was just wondering.
> 
> It's a cute use of the word.  According to the most appropriate
> definition in Webster's that I can find, a "kit" was a basket or similar
> thing to hold tools relevant to a specific task.  By extension, "kit"
> also refers to that assortment of tools.
> 
> It's also commonly used to refer to an assortment of parts that, when
> assembled correctly, become some mechanism or process to accomplish a
> specific task or set of tasks.
> 
> Or, as I used to say about my old Jaguars, "Ooh!  There's a nice bit
> of kit!"

America and England, two countries separated by a common language.

For the older generations here in the USofA, the most common use of 
'kit' is a box of component parts as opposed to a ready-to-run package. 
You take it to a workbench where you already have set out your tools, 
supplies, etc. Then you carefully work on each piece, trim it, paint it, 
and finally assemble and finish it with whatever technique is called 
for. The end result, after much labor and effort, is a complete model, 
radio, instrument, or what have you.

Heathkit manufactured some excellent electronics and computer kits. I 
built their oscilloscope and a FET based multi-meter. Ten Tec still 
makes kits for amateur radios. Revell now makes most of the model cars, 
airplanes and ships, having absorbed Monogram somewhere along the way.

Most of the rolling stock in my HO scale railroad collection were or are 
kits. In most cases, more than a little assembly was required. I don't 
like the idea of downloading kits for computer software, although most 
of the major distributions feel a lot like those HO train cars. More 
than a little assembly work is required and the instructions always lack 
the necessary details.

Bob McConnell
N2SPP