window shopping

window shopping
 n.

   [US Geological Survey] Among users of {WIMP environment}s like {X} or
   the Macintosh, extended experimentation with new window colors, fonts,
   and icon shapes. This activity can take up hours of what might
   otherwise have been productive working time. "I spent the afternoon
   window shopping until I found the coolest shade of green for my active
   window borders -- now they perfectly match my medium slate blue
   background." Serious window shoppers will spend their days with bitmap
   editors, creating new and different icons and background patterns for
   all to see. Also: window dressing, the act of applying new fonts,
   colors, etc. See {fritterware}, compare {macdink}.
    

window shopping

   <jargon> A term used among users of {WIMP} environments like
   the {X Window System} or the {Macintosh} at the US Geological
   Survey for extended experimentation with new window colours,
   {fonts}, and {icon} shapes.  This activity can take up hours
   of what might otherwise have been productive working time.  "I
   spent the afternoon window shopping until I found the coolest
   shade of green for my active window borders --- now they
   perfectly match my medium slate blue background."  Serious
   window shoppers will spend their days with bitmap editors,
   creating new and different icons and background patterns for
   all to see.  Also: "window dressing", the act of applying new
   fonts, colours, etc.

   See {fritterware}, compare {macdink}.

   [{Jargon File}]

   (1996-07-08)
    

24 Moby Thesaurus words for "window shopping":
      buy, buying, buying power, buying up, catalog buying, coemption,
      consumer power, consumer sovereignty, consumerism, cornering,
      emption, hire purchase, impulse buying, installment buying,
      mail-order buying, marketing, money illusion, purchase, purchasing,
      purchasing power, rebuying, repurchase, shopping, shopping spree