:Big Red Switch: [IBM] n. The power switch on a computer, esp. the
`Emergency Pull' switch on an IBM {mainframe} or the power switch
on an IBM PC where it really is large and red. "This !@%$%
{bitty box} is hung again; time to hit the Big Red Switch."
Sources at IBM report that, in tune with the company's passion for
{TLA}s, this is often abbreviated as `BRS' (this has also
become established on FidoNet and in the PC {clone} world). It
is alleged that the emergency pull switch on an IBM 360/91 actually
fired a non-conducting bolt into the main power feed; the BRSes on
more recent mainframes physically drop a block into place so that
they can't be pushed back in. People get fired for pulling them,
especially inappropriately (see also {molly-guard}). Compare
{power cycle}, {three-finger salute}, {120 reset}; see
also {scram switch}.
-- The AI Hackers Dictionary
`Emergency Pull' switch on an IBM {mainframe} or the power switch
on an IBM PC where it really is large and red. "This !@%$%
{bitty box} is hung again; time to hit the Big Red Switch."
Sources at IBM report that, in tune with the company's passion for
{TLA}s, this is often abbreviated as `BRS' (this has also
become established on FidoNet and in the PC {clone} world). It
is alleged that the emergency pull switch on an IBM 360/91 actually
fired a non-conducting bolt into the main power feed; the BRSes on
more recent mainframes physically drop a block into place so that
they can't be pushed back in. People get fired for pulling them,
especially inappropriately (see also {molly-guard}). Compare
{power cycle}, {three-finger salute}, {120 reset}; see
also {scram switch}.
-- The AI Hackers Dictionary
Related:
- Big Red Switch n.
[IBM] The power switch on a computer,
esp. the `Emergency Pull' switch on an IBM mainframe... - scram switch: [from the nuclear power industry] n. An
emergency-power-off switch (see {Big Red Switch}),
esp. one positioned to be easily hit by evacuating... - 120 reset: /wuhn-twen'tee ree'set/ [from 120 volts,
U.S. wall voltage] n. To cycle power on a machine... - power cycle: vt. (also, `cycle power' or just `cycle') To
power off a machine and then power it on immediately,
with the intention of clearing some kind of {hung}... - power cycle vt.
(also, `cycle power' or just `cycle')
To power off a machine and then power it on immediately,
with the intention of clearing some kind of hung... - 120 reset /wuhn-twen'tee ree'set/ n.
[from 120 volts,
U.S. wall voltage] To cycle power on a machine in order... - scram switch n.
[from the nuclear power industry] An
emergency-power-off switch (see Big Red Switch),
esp. one positioned to be easily hit by evacuating... - molly-guard: /mol'ee-gard/ [University of Illinois] n.
A shield to prevent tripping of some {Big Red Switch}... - molly-guard /mol'ee-gard/ n.
[University of Illinois] A
shield to prevent tripping of some Big Red Switch by clumsy or
ignorant hands.
Originally used of the plexiglass covers improvised...
