For the rest of us
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)
Read Also:
- Forth modification lab
event (FORML) A Forth conference held every November on the West coast of the USA (). (1997-04-12)
- For the sake of
1. Also for one’s sake. Out of consideration or regard for a person or thing; for someone’s or something’s advantage or good. For example, For Jill’s sake we did not serve meat, or We have to stop fighting for the sake of family unity. [ Early 1200s ] 2. For the purpose or motive of, […]
- Fort-hood
noun 1. a military reservation in central Texas, N of Austin.
- Forthright
[adjective, noun fawrth-rahyt, fohrth-; adverb fawrth-rahyt, fohrth-, fawrth-rahyt, fohrth-] /adjective, noun ˈfɔrθˌraɪt, ˈfoʊrθ-; adverb ˌfɔrθˈraɪt, ˌfoʊrθ-, ˈfɔrθˌraɪt, ˈfoʊrθ-/ adjective 1. going straight to the point; frank; direct; outspoken: It’s sometimes difficult to be forthright and not give offense. 2. proceeding in a straight course; direct; straightforward: a forthright glance. adverb, Also, forthrightly 3. straight or […]
- Forth-river
[fawrth, fohrth] /fɔrθ, foʊrθ/ noun 1. Firth of, an arm of the North Sea, in SE Scotland: estuary of Forth River. 48 miles (77 km) long. 2. a river in S central Scotland, flowing E into the Firth of Forth. 116 miles (187 km) long. /fɔːθ/ adverb 1. forward in place, time, order, or degree […]