wetware

from Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)

wetware
 /wet'weir/, n.

   [prob.: from the novels of Rudy Rucker]

   1. The human nervous system, as opposed to computer hardware or
   software. "Wetware has 7 plus or minus 2 temporary registers."

   2. Human beings (programmers, operators, administrators) attached to a
   computer system, as opposed to the system's hardware or software. See
   {liveware}, {meatware}.

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

wetware

   <jargon> /wet'weir/ (Probably from the novels of Rudy Rucker,
   or maybe Stanislav Lem) The human nervous system, as opposed
   to electronic computer {hardware} or {software}.  "Wetware has
   7 plus or minus 2 temporary {registers}."  Also, human beings
   (programmers, operators, administrators) attached to a
   computer system, as opposed to the system's hardware or
   software.

   See {liveware}, {meatware}.

   [True origin?  Dates?]

   [{Jargon File}]

   (1996-08-19)