Related:

• PM /P-M/ 1. v. (from `preventive maintenance') To bring down a machine for inspection or test purposes.
  See provocative maintenance; see also scratch monk 2....
• provocative maintenance: [common ironic mutation of `preventive maintenance'] n.
  Actions performed upon a machine at regularly scheduled intervals to ensure that the system remains in a usable state....
• provocative maintenance n. [common ironic mutation of `preventive maintenance'] Actions performed upon a machine at regularly scheduled intervals to ensure that the system remains in a usable state.
  So called because it is all too often performed by a field servoid who doesn't know what he is doing...
• cratch: 1. [from `scratchpad'] adj. Describes a data structure or recording medium attached to a machine for testing or temporary-use purpose
  one that can be {scribble}d on without loss. Usually in the combining forms `scratch memory', `scratch register', `scratch disk', `scratch tape', `scratch volume'....
• oot: [UNIX] n. 1. The {superuser} account (with user name `root') that ignores permission bits, user number 0 on a UNIX system.
  The term {avatar} is also used. 2. The top node of the system directory structure (home directory of the root user)....
• Purple Book: n. 1. The "System V Interface Definition".
  The covers of the first editions were an amazingly nauseating shade of off-lavender....
• monstrosity: 1. n. A ridiculously {elephantine} program or system, esp.
  one that is buggy or only marginally functional. 2....
• DP: /D-P/ n. 1. Data Processing. Listed here because, according to hackers, use of the term marks one immediately as a {suit}.
  See {DPer}. 2. Common abbrev for {Dissociated Press}. -- The AI Hackers Dictionary...
• cratch 1. [from `scratchpad'] adj. Describes a data structure or recording medium attached to a machine for testing or temporary-use purpose
  one that can be scribbled on without loss. Usually in the combining forms `scratch memory', `scratch register', `scratch disk', `scratch tape', `scratch volume'....