rain dance

(1)

Any ceremonial action taken to correct a hardware problem, with the expectation that nothing will be accomplished. This especially applies to reseating printed circuit boards, reconnecting cables, etc. "I can't boot up the machine. We'll have to wait for Greg to do his rain dance."

rain dance

(2)

Any arcane sequence of actions performed with computers or software in order to achieve some goal; the term is usually restricted to rituals that include both an incantation or two and physical activity or motion.

Compare magic, voodoo programming, black art, cargo cult programming, wave a dead chicken.

This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

Opposite, Denis Howell works wonders with his rain dance

DON'T PANIC! EDGBASTON RESERVOIR MAY BE RUNNING LOW, BUT NO NEED TO BREAK OUT THE RAIN DANCE

Through a collaborative process involving many collaborators and my talented friend and co-founder Tulimelila Shityuwete of First Rain Dance Theatre, Anima was born."

Haymich Olivier: - where dance begins

The Hansgrohe Rain Dance shower is an amazing innovation in shower design that comprises a shoulder width spray disc in an overhead shower for large, soft water droplets.

Jacques Designer Bathrooms in Showroom First with Steam Room Installation

Sadie Dressekie, is the new owner and principal broker of both Eugene Commercial Real Estate and Rain Dance Real Estate.

BUSINESS BEAT

In their first presentation since their hugely successful run at the National Theatre of Namibia with PassionFruit; First Rain Dance Theatre again take to the stage, and this time they really mean business.

First Rain Dance Theatre presents "Anima", a spectacular African ballet

"Hey, how's this for a rain dance!" "It doesn't rain often in Qatar.

Heavy rain hits Qatar

You'll be performing a rain dance to flaunt the bold monochrome lines on Lulu Guinness' Bloomsbury Stripe umbrella, PS40 at Fulton (www.fultonumbrellas.com).

ZINGING IN THE RAIN; No need to shy away from April showers and stormy weather. LISA HAYNES reveals the kit you won''t want to save for a rainy day

in a kind of reverse rain dance, appealing with forced fervor

Preparing Announcements

His other memorable gigs locally included performances at the Moto GP, the Qatar Open, Battle of the DJs, car launches, Rain Dance and fashion shows.

First Qatari DJ to launch album in December

"I hope everyone is going to be doing a rain dance in London because it would suit me."

Sayers and Ohuruogu singing in the London Grand Prix rain