green lightning
[IBM] 1. Apparently random flashing streaks on the face of 3278-9 terminals
while a new symbol set is being downloaded. This hardware bug was left
deliberately unfixed, as some genius within IBM suggested it would let the user
know that "something is happening". That, it certainly does. Later
microprocessor-driven IBM colour graphics displays were actually *programmed* to
produce green lightning!
2. [proposed] Any bug perverted into an alleged feature by adroit
rationalisation or marketing. "Motorola calls the CISC cruft in the 88000
architecture "compatibility logic", but I call it green lightning". See also
feature.
Nearby terms:
Green Book CD-ROM « green bytes « green card «
green lightning » green machine » green monitor
» Green's Theorem
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