Is there a difference between activating a spell card and activating an effect of a spell card?

Some Spellcasters have texts that state ". . . activate(s) 1 spell card . . .". Continuous spells have effects that trigger more than once, and Flint (equip) can re-equip when its attached monster is destroyed. Do these situations count as "activate 1 spell card" for the purpose of such Spellcasters.

Activation of the spell card in theory is the action of activating the Spell Card, activating the effect of a spell card is using the Spell Card's effect.

Activation of the Spell Card and activation of the effect of a Spell Card are two different things.

I'm guessing this has to do with Diamond Dude?

So playing the spell card (from hand or graveyard, or flip) is activating the card, and that spell card would only activate again if it is flipped face down, sent back to the hand, or sent to the graveyard and then played again by the legal methods. Do I have that right? Does Flint not technically activate each time it re-equips?

Precisely, no Flint does not activate each time it switches target.