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Stone Age n.,adj.

1. In computer folklore, an ill-defined period from ENIAC (ca. 1943) to the mid-1950s; the great age of electromechanical [dinosaur]s. Sometimes used for the entire period up to 1960-61 (see [Iron Age]); however, it is funnier and more descriptive to characterize the latter period in terms of a `Bronze Age' era of transistor-logic, pre-ferrite-[core] machines with drum or CRT mass storage (as opposed to just mercury delay lines and/or relays). See also [Iron Age]. 2. More generally, a pejorative for any crufty, ancient piece of hardware or software technology. Note that this is used even by people who were there for the [Stone Age] (sense 1).


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