machine

1. General: Semi or fully automated device that magnifies human physical and/or mental capabilities in performing one or more operations.

2. Mechanics: Device that makes mechanical work easier by overcoming a resistance (load) at one end by application of effort (force) at the other end.

3. Systems: Purposefully organized set of components whose interconnections and inner workings are known or apparent. The behavior of a properly functioning machine is entirely predictable: its present state determines its next state, and the same inputs always yield the same outputs.

We worked on a project that involved users rating their experience with a computer. When we had the computer the users had worked with ask for an evaluation of its performance, the responses tended to be positive. But when we had a second computer ask the same people to evaluate their encounters with the first machine, the people were significantly more critical. Their reluctance to criticize the first computer 'face to face' suggested they didn't want to hurt its feelings, even though they knew it was only a machine.