Re: black box

[Kris Olberg <kjolberg -at- IX -dot- NETCOM -dot- COM>]

In US technology circles, a "black box" symbolizes an opaque place or thing
in which a process occurs. Because the black box is opaque, the process
cannot be observed. Only the input and the output can be observed.

A simple example of a black box is a baking oven with no window. You put raw
material such as bread dough into the oven. Several minutes later, you take
out baked bread.

The symbolism is applicable to processes in most industries, so it can be
used in many contexts.

Regards...Kris
--------------------------
kolberg -at- actamed -dot- com
kris -at- olberg -dot- com

-----Original Message-----
From: Phelan, Mike <Mike -dot- Phelan -at- MEDAPHIS -dot- COM>
To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU <TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU>
Date: Wednesday, March 04, 1998 11:43 AM
Subject: black box


>Holly,
>
>What is the black box? What is it used for? What is the context in which
>it will be used?
>
>White is regarded as the traditional color of mourning in Asia, but I
>remember always seeing people wearing black to funerals. Men wear black
>suits and ties, women black kimono with elaborate designs. I think you
>need to specify the context and identity of the "black box." As a
>cultural anthropologist, I can say for sure that cultural symbolism is
>rarely generic.
>
>I can't identify the file format of the attachment you sent, so I can't
>do anything with it. Can you tell me what it is?
>
>Mike Phelan
>Senior Technical Writer
>Per-Sé Technologies
>San Jose, California
>
>
>
>