condom

1. The protective plastic bag that accompanies 3.5-inch

microfloppy diskettes. Rarely, also used of (paper) disk

envelopes. Unlike the write protect tab, the condom (when

left on) not only impedes the practice of SEX but has also

been shown to have a high failure rate as drive mechanisms

attempt to access the disk - and can even fatally frustrate

insertion.

2. The protective cladding on a light pipe.

3. "keyboard condom": A flexible, transparent plastic cover

for a keyboard, designed to provide some protection against

dust and programming fluid without impeding typing.

4. "elephant condom": the plastic shipping bags used inside

cardboard boxes to protect hardware in transit.

[Jargon File]

(1995-03-14)