Z80: The chip used in Pac Man. The only CPU, therefore, to demonstrably improve culture, society, and civilization. Zs: Common and anticipated executive response after technical presentations. (see MEGO) A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Y2K: Year 2000, a reference to a anticipated doomsday when computer applications incapable of distinguishing centuries in dates would trigger the collapse of all civilization and the end of all life on earth. Petty optimism by pessimistic engineers. A money-making scam whereby enterprising developers convinced frightened managers to invest millions to fix problems that never […]

Xbox: The only computer that belongs in the home. XML: Making the lowest common denominator so complex it takes committees years to decide that they can’t agree. XP: (Operating System) The last Microsoft Operating System to deliver on the hype; terminated for support to force satisfied Microsoft customers into expensive and far less-satisfying platforms. XP: (Methodology) eXxtreme Programming. A […]

Waterfall: A cascading section of a river where the river-bed drops precipitously in a very short horizontal distance; sometimes forming rapids before and a cloud of mist immediately following. Often generates tourism and electricity. A project management methodology abandoned in the recent past because enough scholarly work was generated for laity to mistake familiarity for […]

Validation and Verification A mystical process known to only a few, practiced by none. In mythology, V&V conquers fear by vanquishing ignorance from the blind and conferring grace on the condemned. The elixir from the secret well of application wisdom, sold only to the gods for the measly price of an eye. Variable: Unknown, as […]