crippleware

1. Software that has some important functionality deliberately

removed, so as to entice potential users to pay for a working

version.

2. (Cambridge) Guiltware that exhorts you to donate to some

charity.

Compare careware, nagware.

3. Hardware deliberately crippled, which can be upgraded to a

more expensive model by a trivial change (e.g. removing a

jumper). A correspondant gave the following example:

In 1982-5, a friend had a Sharp scientific calculator

which was on the list of those permitted in exams. No

programmable calculators were allowed.

A very similar, more expensive, programmable model had two

extra keys for programming where the cheaper version just had

blank metal.

My friend took his calculator apart (as you would) and lo and

behold, the rubber switches of the program keys were there on

the circuit board. So all he had to do was cut a hole in the

face. For exams he would pre-load the calculator with any

useful routines, put a sticker with his name on it over the

hole, and press the buttons through the sticker with a pen.

[Jargon File]

(2001-05-12)