vi.,n. A spectacular crash, in the mode of the
conclusion of the car-chase scene in the movie "
Bullitt" and
many subsequent imitators. Sun-3 monitors losing the flyback
transformer and lightning strikes on VAX-11/780 backplanes are
notable crash and burn generators. The construction
'crash-and-burn machine' is reported for a computer used
exclusively for alpha or
beta testing, or reproducing bugs
(i.e., not for development). The implication is that it wouldn't
be such a disaster if that machine crashed, since only the testers
would be inconvenienced.
