Online Computer Terms Dictionary - C

chrome

<jargon> (From automotive slang via wargaming) Showy features added to attract users but contributing little or nothing to the power of a system.

"The 3D icons in Motif are just chrome, but they certainly are *pretty* chrome!"

Chrome is distinguished from bells and whistles by the fact that the latter are usually added to gratify developers' own desires for featurefulness. Often used as a term of contempt and sometimes used in conjunction with 'fluff', "all the fluff and chrome that comes with Motif".

[Jargon File]

(1997-09-19)