On Sun, 25 Aug 2013, Ed Vance wrote to TOM WALKER:   
      
    EV> Is PATA the same as IDE?   I think it is, am I right?   
      
   no, not really... but yes, in a way...   
      
   AT    : Advanced Technology (IBM PCAT)   
   IDE   : Integrated Device Electronics   
   ATA   : AT Attach (derived from Western Digital's IDE)   
   ATAPI : AT Attach Packet Interface   
   PATA  : Parallel ATA (name for ATA since SATA introduction in 2003)   
   SATA  : Serial ATA   
      
   IDE, ATA, ATAPI are all pretty much synonymous... IDE came about when the HD   
   controller card was removed from the slot and placed on the HD... the card   
   used in the slots was then just an interface card... since then, there is no   
   interface card in a slot as they are now built directly onto the motherboards   
   and the cables connected to them there...   
      
   )\/(ark   
      
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12)