rain dance

( n.)

   1.  Any  ceremonial  action taken to correct a hardware problem, with
   the  expectation  that  nothing will be accomplished. This especially
   applies  to  reseating  printed  circuit boards, reconnecting cables,
   etc.  "I can't boot up the machine. We'll have to wait for Greg to do
   his rain dance."

   2.  Any  arcane  sequence  of  actions  performed  with  computers or
   software  in  order  to  achieve  some  goal;  the  term  is  usually
   restricted  to  rituals that include both an {incantation} or two and
   physical  activity  or motion. Compare {magic}, {voodoo programming},
   {black  art},  {cargo  cult  programming}, {wave a dead chicken}; see
   also {casting the runes}.

[glossary]
[Reference(s) to this entry by made by: {SCSI voodoo}{voodoo programming}{wave a dead chicken}{wizard}]