87 definitions by Athene Airheart
1. A reference mark that something is measured against. The original benchmarks are places on the workbench used to measure common lengths of material, such as lumber.
2. In surveying, a "bench mark" (two words) is a post or other permanent mark established at a known elevation that is used as the basis for measuring the elevation of other topographical points.
In computer and Internet technology, the term may have any of these meanings:
1) A set of conditions against which a product or system is measured. PC magazine laboratories frequently test and compare several new computers or computer devices against the same set of application programs, user interactions, and contextual situations. The total context against which all products are measured and compared is referred to as the benchmark.
2) A program that is specially designed to provide measurements for a particular operating system or application.
3) A known product with which users are familiar or accustomed to that other newer products can be compared to.
4) A set of performance criteria which a product is expected to meet.
2. In surveying, a "bench mark" (two words) is a post or other permanent mark established at a known elevation that is used as the basis for measuring the elevation of other topographical points.
In computer and Internet technology, the term may have any of these meanings:
1) A set of conditions against which a product or system is measured. PC magazine laboratories frequently test and compare several new computers or computer devices against the same set of application programs, user interactions, and contextual situations. The total context against which all products are measured and compared is referred to as the benchmark.
2) A program that is specially designed to provide measurements for a particular operating system or application.
3) A known product with which users are familiar or accustomed to that other newer products can be compared to.
4) A set of performance criteria which a product is expected to meet.
Laboratory benchmarks sometimes fail to reflect real-world product use. For this reason, Eric Raymond defines a benchmark as "an inaccurate measure of computer performance" and cites the "old hacker's saying" that "In the computer industry, there are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies, and benchmarks."
Still, benchmarks can be useful and some companies offer benchmark programs for downloading or a benchmark testing service on their own site.
Still, benchmarks can be useful and some companies offer benchmark programs for downloading or a benchmark testing service on their own site.
by Athene Airheart March 19, 2004
Someone who spends a lot of time at the airport. A good thing to be. Airport bums often hang around maintenance shops and flight schools, watching pilots take off and land. They often drink a lot of coffee and read the magazines in the lobby. They may or may not know how to fly. Many fine fliers started out as airport bums.
See airport, ramp rat.
See airport, ramp rat.
The person sitting at this computer typing this is an airport bum to the first degree. I almost never leave, actually. I even sleep here. But I also fly. It is fun being an airport bum.
by Athene Airheart May 1, 2004
A person in charge of cleaning up messes at the Olympic Flight Museum and elsewhere. Usually armed with a mop and bucket.
The word has roots in "Crew Chief," who is a person in charge of maintaining a particular aircraft.
His counterpart is the Pile-it.
The word has roots in "Crew Chief," who is a person in charge of maintaining a particular aircraft.
His counterpart is the Pile-it.
by Athene Airheart March 21, 2004
by Athene Airheart March 22, 2004
An expression of delight, accompanied by dancing around. Basically saying that the person in question is great, skilled, lucky, etc.
Ususally said in a kind of sing-song way.
Ususally said in a kind of sing-song way.
by Athene Airheart March 21, 2004
The control surfaces found on the outboard sections of an airplane's wing. They move up and down and control the roll of the airplane, turning it.
Aileron is from the French for "Little wing."
Aileron is from the French for "Little wing."
by Athene Airheart May 15, 2004
by Athene Airheart May 15, 2004