[common] A general state, usually used with an adjective describing
the state. Use of the word `mode' rather than `state' implies that
the state is extended over time, and probably also that some activity
characteristic of that state is being carried out. "No time to hack;
I'm in thesis mode." In its jargon sense, `mode' is most often
attributed to people, though it is sometimes applied to programs and
inanimate objects. In particular, see {hack mode}, {day mode}, {night
mode}, {demo mode}, {fireworks mode}, and {yoyo mode}; also {talk
mode}.
One also often hears the verbs enable and disable used in connection
with jargon modes. Thus, for example, a sillier way of saying "I'm
going to crash" is "I'm going to enable crash mode now". One might
also hear a request to "disable flame mode, please".
In a usage much closer to techspeak, a mode is a special state that
certain user interfaces must pass into in order to perform certain
functions. For example, in order to insert characters into a document
in the Unix editor vi, one must type the "i" key, which invokes the
"Insert" command. The effect of this command is to put vi into
"insert mode", in which typing the "i" key has a quite different
effect (to wit, it inserts an "i" into the document). One must then
hit another special key, "ESC", in order to leave "insert mode".
Nowadays, modeful interfaces are generally considered {losing} but
survive in quite a few widely used tools built in less enlightened
times.
[glossary]