bells and whistles

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bells and whistles

[′belz ən ′wis·əlz]

(computer science)

Special hardware features that are likely to attract attention but may not be important or even practical.

bells and whistles

(jargon)

(By analogy with the "toyboxes" on theatre organs). Features added to a program or system to make it more flavourful from a hacker's point of view, without necessarily adding to its utility for its primary function. Distinguished from chrome, which is intended to attract users. "Now that we've got the basic program working, let's go back and add some bells and whistles." No one seems to know what distinguishes a bell from a whistle.

bells and whistles

A slang English term for exceptional features in some product. In the computer field, it typically refers to functions in software that may be greatly appreciated by some users, even though they may not be necessary most of the time. Bells and whistles are extra "goodies" that are often added to help make the product more appealing. Contrast with plain vanilla.

References in periodicals archive ?

For over 9 years, Bells and Whistles improves the way users handle Outlook emails, by automating repetitive email tasks, such as writing greetings, signatures or disclaimers.

BELLS AND WHISTLES V5 AVAILABLE FOR OUTLOOK

You might like Bing's general search performance, and you might enjoy its video preview, the way it handles flight schedules, or some other of its distinctive bells and whistles.

Bing: contender or just bling?

These owners know that bells and whistles may entertain an audience for a while--but the excellent, long-term delivery of every service requires substance and stability.

Building owners weigh costs and options the day after new security systems are installed

Lacks bells and whistles * Keypad is hard to handle

A close call: cell phone offers good mix of price and performance

The Sony DSC-T33 ($349) is light on manual options and other bells and whistles, but it is very portable.

Snap judgment: whether you're a vacation chronicle or an amateur Ansel Adams, digital cameras have leaped in power and shrunk in size--here are some great options

While more advanced products might offer greater wireless transmission speeds and more bells and whistles, the ease of installation paired with the relatively low price make this a good buy.

Easy as 1-2-3

This building will have a lot of the bells and whistles that companies are looking for," said Kim Morque, director of development for the Spinnaker Companies.

East norwalk military complex being turned into office space

It's designed to appeal to a wide range of users -- from beginners looking for an easy way to organize, print and share their photos to more experienced users who want a high-performance media manager with all the bells and whistles.

ArcSoft Announces New Release: ArcSoft PhotoImpression 6

Sometimes at a store, a salesperson may try to sell all the bells and whistles that aren't necessarily needed, Codron pointed out.

LEARNING COMPUTERS PARENTS CAN LEARN WHAT EQUIPMENT WILL HELP KIDS IN SCHOOL

You've got to look beyond the bells and whistles of cable," he says from his new office.

The WB's new VIP: as the network's new president of entertainment, David Janollari hopes to continue the WB's history of queer inclusivity