<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 « user-unctuous » Use the Source Luke » USG Unix » usim
