Related:

• front end n. 1. An intermediary computer that does set-up and filtering for another (usually more powerful but less friendly) machine (a `back end').
  2. What you're talking to when you have a conversation with someone who is making replies without paying attention....
• fepped out: /fept owt/ adj. The Symbolics 3600 LISP Machine has a Front-End Processor called a `FEP' (compare sense 2 of {box}).
  When the main processor gets {wedged}, the FEP takes control of the keyboard and screen....
• alk mode n. A feature supported by Unix, ITS, and some other OSes that allows two or more logged-in users to set up a real-time on-line conversation.
  It combines the immediacy of talking with all the precision (and verbosity) that written language entails....
• DWIM /dwim/ [acronym, `Do What I Mean'] 1. adj. Able to guess, sometimes even correctly, the result intended when bogus input was provided.
  2. n. obs. The BBNLISP/INTERLISP function that attempted to accomplish this feat by correcting many of the more common errors....
• engine: n. 1. A piece of hardware that encapsulates some function but can't be used without some kind of {front end}.
  Today we have, especially, `print engine': the guts of a laser printer....
• Jacques: First, you must get to know your lane. Feel the slickness, feel the slippery finish.
  Caresses it, experience it. Quite smooth, isn't it?...
• eal user: n. 1. A commercial user. One who is paying *real* money for his computer usage.
  2. A non-hacker. Someone using the system for an explicit purpose (a research project, a course, etc....
• box: n. 1. A computer; esp. in the construction `foo box' where foo is some functional qualifier, like `graphics', or the name of an OS (thus, `UNIX box', `MS-DOS box', etc.
  ) "We preprocess the data on UNIX boxes before handing it up to the mainframe....
• user n. 1. Someone doing `real work' with the computer, using it as a means rather than an end.
  Someone who pays to use a computer. See real user....