user-unctuous
<jargon> (By analogy with user-friendly and user-obsequious)
User-interfaces that attempt to soothe (or, some would say, stupify) users
instead of cooperating with them. Common "features" of user-unctuous systems
include: icons of happy faces; mellow colors; melodic sound effects or even mood
music; help tips appearing unbidden and at unhelpful moments; and a cloying tone
either in system messages ("Oops! I couldn't seem to find my old preferences
file! I do think I'll have to make a new one! Please press OK to continue!") or
in labelling of system components (such as the main hard drive being labelled
"Your Hard Drive" -- or, with infantile pronoun-reversal, "My Hard Drive").
(1999-06-27)
Nearby terms:
user name « User Network Interface « user-obsequious
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user-unctuous » Use the Source Luke » USG Unix »
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