so wait, the bit bucket…

[solarbird]

The “bit bucket” – like the “bug” and the “patch” – was a physical thing? An actual physical object with physical bits in?

APPARENTLY YES

WHELP

Posted via Solarbird{y|z|yz}, Collected.

Comments

[maellenkleth]

mixed with powdered carpentry glue, the accumulated bits made excellent and long-lasting confetti.

[solarbird]

glue?!

I accept the "long-lasting," I question your use of the word "excellent." xD

[kathmandu]

Wow, I didn't know that either.

[frameacloud]

I'm further astonished to learn from that article that the bits punched out of punch cards are called "chads," and that the sort of paper that doesn't punch all the way through is called "chadless," resulting in insufficiently detached bits that are called, among other things, "swinging chads."

[solarbird]

Thanks to the 2001 election fiasco, I was aware of the word "chads" in at least some permutations. :/

[arethinn]

What solarbird said. The phrase I most remember from the 2000 election thing was specifically hanging chad(s).

[mdlbear]

Also called the chad box. I've emptied many of those in my day.

[solarbird]

I've used cards, but mostly in a conversion-away-from sense. I've punched like... fewer than 10. I barely remember it and I guess somehow never considered where the paper from the holes would go xD

[sistawendy]

I love it!