from
Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)
Moof
/moof/
[Macintosh users]
1. n. The call of a semi-legendary creature, properly called the
{dogcow}. (Some previous versions of this entry claimed, incorrectly,
that Moof was the name of the creature.)
2. adj. Used to flag software that's a hack, something untested and on
the edge. On one Apple CD-ROM, certain folders such as "Tools & Apps
(Moof!)" and "Development Platforms (Moof!)", are so marked to
indicate that they contain software not fully tested or sanctioned by
the powers that be. When you open these folders you cross the boundary
into hackerland.
3. v. On the Microsoft Network, the term `moof' has gained popularity
as a verb meaning `to be suddenly disconnected by the system'. One
might say "I got moofed".
from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
Moof
/moof/ [MAC users] 1. A semi-legendary creature, also called
the "dogcow", that lurks in the depths of the {Macintosh}
Technical Notes {Hypercard} stack V3.1; specifically, the full
story of the dogcow is told in technical note #31 (the
particular Moof illustrated is properly named "Clarus").
Option-shift-click will cause it to emit a characteristic
"Moof!" or "!fooM" sound. *Getting* to tech note 31 is the
hard part; to discover how to do that, one must needs examine
the stack script with a hackerly eye. Clue: {rot13} is
involved. A dogcow also appears if you choose "Page Setup..."
with a LaserWriter selected and click on the "Options" button.
2. Used to flag software that's a hack, something untested and
on the edge. On one {Apple Computer} {CD-ROM}, certain {folders}
such
as "Tools & Apps (Moof!)" and "Development Platforms (Moof!)",
are so marked to indicate that they contain software not fully
tested or sanctioned by the powers that be. When you open
these folders you cross the boundary into hackerland.
[{Jargon File}]