Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/07/18

[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]

Subject: Re: Incident Meters and such
From: pgs@pa.dec.com (Patrick Sobalvarro)
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 08:40:38 -0700

   Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 05:07:44 +1000
   From: ROB HEYMAN <rheyman@cynergy.com.au>

   Patrick Sobalvarro wrote: Rob, you win the Best-Kludge-of-the-Week
   prize.  Just one question --

   > is this what Aussies call "bush knowledge"?

   This is called making do with what ya got... and what is a
   "Kludge"? Rob

"Kludge" is electrical engineers' slang (and nowadays, computer
programmers' slang) for something jury-rigged, a device put together
in such a way that an observer feels he or she would never have
thought of it and is surprised it works at all.  If the circumstances
are such that the person putting the kludge together was making
something work under difficult circumstances, such as inadequate
resources or time, then the word connotes bemusement and admiration.
If the person putting the kludge together had the time and resources
to do something more robust, then the word is derogatory.

I was using it admiringly.

- -Patrick