Tweaking
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- This article is about hardware and software tweaking. For the drug-induced behavior, see tweaking (behavior)
Tweaking refers to fine-tuning or adjusting a complex system, usually an electronic device. Tweaks are any small modifications intended to improve a system. Tweaking can also refer to modifying someone's social behaviour.
In electronics, it is a synonym for "trimming." Analog circuit boards often have small potentiometers or other components on them that are used to calibrate or adjust the board as a service procedure: the small insulated screwdriver used to turn them is often called a "tweaker."
This use was echoed in the name of the product Tweek [sic], an audio product, popular during the 1980s (but controversial), which was claimed to improve the electrical characteristics of audio switch contacts.
Hardware tweaking
Hardware tweaking is a process of modifying certain parts of a hardware such as changing the cables or cords, cleaning the heads of a VHS player with a branded cleaning fluid, oiling the moving parts of an engine with the best possible oil, etc.
These 'tweaks' are largely subliminal, but their primary purpose is to engender a "warm and fuzzy" feeling of achieved perfection that will please the user despite the absolutely average result he really achieved. (This is quite common among audiophiles.)
Computer hardware tweaking
Computer hardware tweaking is an extension of hardware tweaking, specifically geared towards the components of a PC. They include: changing voltage and clock rates of processing units, modifying RAM unit timing, improving cooling systems to reduce chance of overheating, etc.
Tweaks specifically designed to allow a processor to operate at a higher clock speed than normal are known as overclocking.
Modifications of computer systems not aimed at increasing performance, such as quieter fans, external controls, and decorations such as lights or windows, are known as modding.
Social tweaking
Social tweaking is when light social pressure is brought to bear to nudge someone who is out of line to respond to expected social mores. The process of nudging or improving the behavior of an immature individual.
This type of tweaking when used in online forums is clearly distinct from flamebait in that its ultimate goal is to foster a working online social community, and is not a personal attack.
Software tweaking
Software tweaking is the process of improving the performance of an application or the quality of its output. There can be two ways of accomplishing this: manually (if you are familiar with programming) or using another piece of software specialized for that purpose (such as Tweak-XP by Totalidea Software, a semi-automatic tweaking utility for improving the performance of Microsoft Windows XP®).
Some very precise applications need constant and thorough tweaking to stay up to date and deliver best possible results. One of the most obvious examples of a brilliant fine-tuning is LAME MP3 encoder, whose 3.xx branch is not only tuned to excess, but continues to evolve and shape the boundaries of the MP3 codec.