<abuse> (From the Macintosh slogan "The computer for the
rest of us") 1. Used to describe a spiffy product whose
affordability shames other comparable products, or (more
often) used sarcastically to describe spiffy but very
overpriced products.
2. Describes a program with a limited interface, deliberately
limited capabilities, non-orthogonality, inability to
compose primitives, or any other limitation designed to not
"confuse" a naïve user. This places an upper bound on how far
that user can go before the program begins to get in the way
of the task instead of helping accomplish it.
Used in reference to Macintosh software which doesn't
provide obvious capabilities because it is thought that the
poor luser might not be able to handle them. Becomes "the
rest of *them*" when used in third-party reference; thus,
"Yes, it is an attractive program, but it's designed for The
Rest Of Them" means a program that superficially looks neat
but has no depth beyond the surface flash.
See also point-and-drool interface, user-friendly.
[Jargon File]
(2000-08-08)
Nearby terms:
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