[probably came into prominence with the appearance of the KL-10 (one
model of the {PDP-10}), none of whose connectors matched anything
else] The tendency of manufacturers (or, by extension, programmers or
purveyors of anything) to come up with new products that don't fit
together with the old stuff, thereby making you buy either all new
stuff or expensive interface devices.
(A closely related phenomenon, with a slightly different intent, is
the habit manufacturers have of inventing new screw heads so that
only Designated Persons, possessing the magic screwdrivers, can
remove covers and make repairs or install options. A good 1990s
example is the use of Torx screws for cable-TV set-top boxes. Older
Apple Macintoshes took this one step further, requiring not only a
long Torx screwdriver but a specialized case-cracking tool to open
the box.)
In these latter days of open-systems computing this term has fallen
somewhat into disuse, to be replaced by the observation that
"Standards are great! There are so many of them to choose from!"
Compare {backward combatability}.
[glossary]
[Reference(s) to this entry by made by: {DRECNET}{EBCDIC}]