UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Dear everyone,

I was reading a book about Solaris 9. When author talks about using CDE instead of GNOME under Solaris circumstance, he says and I quote,

"...Thus, while it (CDE) doesn't have as many bells and whistles as GNOME, it has enough features to make it worthwhile as a standard desktop in a heterogeneous UNIX environment."

I am sorry for asking this stupid question here, but since I am a non-native English speaker and a newbie to UNIX world, I really curious about the meaning of "bell" and "whistle" here.

Thanx in advanced.

We have books that we call "dictionaries" that you might want to explore. You can look up unfamiliar words in it. There are also web sites that provide this service.

From my copy of Merriam-Webster:

bells and whistles -- noun plural
items or features that are useful or decorative but not essential: FRILLS


From www.dictionary.com:

bells and whistles pl.n.
Nonessential features or enhancements intended especially to add commercial appeal.

There is quite a bit more info at that site.

Thanx Perderabo. I did check my dictionary first, but it just translates English to my own native language, with few phrase or examples there. I didn't find the explaination for phrase "bell and whistle". Thanx anyway.

Here is the link to dictionary.com for 'bells and whistles':

http://dictionary.reference.com/sear...and%20whistles

Nice explainations about slang usage there......

Thanx, Neo.