condom
1. The protective plastic bag that accompanies 3.5-inch
microfloppy diskettes. Rarely, also used of (paper) disk
envelopes. Unlike the write protect tab, the condom (when
left on) not only impedes the practice of {SEX} but has also
been shown to have a high failure rate as drive mechanisms
attempt to access the disk - and can even fatally frustrate
insertion.
2. The protective cladding on a {light pipe}.
3. "keyboard condom": A flexible, transparent plastic cover
for a keyboard, designed to provide some protection against
dust and {programming fluid} without impeding typing.
4. "elephant condom": the plastic shipping bags used inside
cardboard boxes to protect hardware in transit.
[{Jargon File}]
(1995-03-14)