nude

Said of machines delivered without an operating system

(compare bare metal). "We ordered 50 systems, but they all

arrived nude, so we had to spend a an extra weekend with the

installation tapes." This usage is a recent innovation

reflecting the fact that most PC clones are now delivered with

DOS or Microsoft Windows pre-installed at the factory. Other

kinds of hardware are still normally delivered without OS, so

this term is particular to PC support groups.

[Jargon File]

(1994-12-13)