Fluid's definitions

phlogiston

A widely-researched phenomenon in the Middle Ages, phlogiston was thought to be an inherent substance in all things that could burn. When something was burned, phlogiston was visible in the form of flame, and was released into the air. In turn, people thought something would not burn without air because the air was already "full of phlogiston" and no more could be released into the air. In short, phlogiston was believed to be the substance that fire was made of.

These days, under influence of modern science, the concept of phlogiston is usually regarded as superstition.

by Fluid March 30, 2004

vcore

Core voltage of a computer system, sometimes raised for overclocking (can get too hot) or lowered for cooling (can cause system to receive insufficient power). The vcore is the base voltage value to which the voltage of the separate connections are added: 3.3V, 5V or 12V. All these things together provide the system's power.

Don't set your vcore too low, the system might not even boot up.

by Fluid September 10, 2004

paranoid

An illogical fear or suspicion of people, companies or organizations being consciously against you, and the belief that they are constantly trying to "get" you.

"See those people talking over there? There's no other way than that they're spreading rumors about me."

"Oh stop being paranoid, they're just talking."

by Fluid March 7, 2004

ne bis in idem

Latin phrase meaning "not twice for the same", a legal rule that states someone cannot be prosecuted twice for the same crime. This is usually implemented into legal procedure as double jeopardy.

The prosecution attempted to have the suspect prosecuted afterwards when they found new evidence, but this was impossible because of the ne bis in idem rule.

by Fluid September 1, 2004

Deus Ex Machina

Dates from ancient Greek times, where "deus ex machina" ("god from the machine") in a play referred to the act of lowering a god on stage using a cable device (therefore, a god from a machine) to decide in a dilemma and give fate a nudge, so to say.

These days, deus ex machina has the negative connotation of an utterly improbable, illogical or baseless plot twist that drastically alters the situation, as if the "deus ex machina" came down to give fate that little push.

I liked the movie, but the ending was total crap...they could've come up with a better way to beat the villain than the deus ex machina ending of that guy miraculously coming back to life.

by Fluid October 10, 2003

WHQL

Windows Hardware Quality Labs, Microsoft's division where they test software (often drivers) on various hardware to see if it works properly.

I'm not downloading those drivers, I'll wait for the WHQL certified version in case they screw up.

by Fluid August 16, 2003

Catch 22

Also known as a vicious cycle - two or more conditions require the other conditions to be fulfilled, but these other conditions also require the original condition to be fulfilled. In simple terms, this means neither can get fulfilled without the other. A needs B needs A.

So I need a key to open this door, and the key is beyond that same door? Damn, this is one big Catch 22.

by Fluid August 27, 2003