Modding
Modding is a slang expression for the act of modifying a piece of hardware or software to perform a function not intended or authorized by the original manufacturer. A common example is video game console mod chips, which can allow users to play games legitimately purchased in other regions or legal backup copies, but can also allow software piracy.
Some nations have laws prohibiting modding and accuse modders of attempting to overcome piracy-protection schemes. In the United States, the DMCA sets up stiff penalties for modding involving such circumvention.
On the other side, some companies actively encouraging modding of their products. In cases such as Tivo and Google, there has been an informal agreement between the modders and the company in which the modders agree not to do anything that destroys the companies business model and the company agrees to support the modding community by providing technical specs and information.
Overclocking may also be termed as 'modding', and the overclocking of a graphics card using driver software to gain the performance of a more expensive model is known as 'soft-modding'.
The term may also refer to the artistic modification of hardware for purely aesthetic reasons (especially computer cases). Modding in this sense is purely a creative act and does not involve breaking laws of any kind (although it may void your warranty). An example of this kind of modding may involve re-painting a case, cutting a hole in the side panel and installing a clear window so that the components are visible from outside. Some view this practice negatively as 'ricing up' a computer.
