Jargon Watch
Byte-Bonding When computer users get together and discuss things that noncomputer users don't understand. When the byte-bonded start playing on a computer during a noncomputer-related social event, they are "geeking out."
Chips and Salsa Chips = computer hardware, salsa = software. "Well first, we gotta figure out if the problem's in your chips or your salsa."
Fine Business Amateur radio slang used to fill dead air space when you need to say something but can't think of anything. Like "um" or "ah" in normal conversation.
Glass-roots Campaign Cyber grass-roots campaign assisted by fiber optics and computer networking. The online campaign by EFF and CPSR against the Clipper Chip is a prime example.
Height Technology Silly engineers' term for "ladder."
Idea Hamster Someone who always seems to have his or her idea generator running. "That guy's a real idea hamster. Give him a raw concept and he'll turn it over 'til he comes up with something useful."
LRF Support An official-sounding computer feature that can be used to prank a salesperson or a computer know-it-all. "Does this system come with LRF support?" (LRF stands for Little Rubber Feet.)
Ohnosecond That minuscule fraction of time in which you realize that you've just made a BIG mistake, such as accidentally deleting your e-mail address book in a nonrecoverable way. Seen in Elizabeth P. Crowe's book The Electronic Traveler.
Thanks and a tip o' the Wired hat to: Alan Turner, Michael Newman, Gary Coffman, Bruce Sterling, Tom Igoe, John Pettitt, Brian Quennell, and FionaM945.
