green lightning n.
[IBM] 1. Apparently random flashing streaks on the face of
3278-9 terminals while a new symbol set is being downloaded. This
hardware bug was left deliberately unfixed, as some genius within
IBM suggested it would let the user know that `something is
happening'. That, it certainly does. Later microprocessor-driven
IBM color graphics displays were actually programmed to
produce green lightning! 2. [proposed] Any bug perverted into an
alleged feature by adroit rationalization or marketing. "Motorola
calls the CISC cruft in the 88000 architecture `compatibility
logic', but I call it green lightning". See also feature (sense 6).
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green machine n.
A computer or peripheral device that has been designed and
built to military specifications for field equipment (that is, to
withstand mechanical shock, extremes of temperature and humidity,
and so forth). Comes from the olive-drab `uniform' paint used for
military equipment.