window shopping

jargon A term used among users of WIMP environments like

the X Window System or the Macintosh at the US Geological

Survey for extended experimentation with new window colours,

fonts, and icon shapes. This activity can take up hours

of what might otherwise have been productive working time. "I

spent the afternoon window shopping until I found the coolest

shade of green for my active window borders --- now they

perfectly match my medium slate blue background." Serious

window shoppers will spend their days with bitmap editors,

creating new and different icons and background patterns for

all to see. Also: "window dressing", the act of applying new

fonts, colours, etc.

See fritterware, compare macdink.

[Jargon File]

(1996-07-08)