The term 'SHORT LIVES' can be represented by the crossword solution BIOS, which stands for Basic Input/Output System. BIOS is a type of firmware used to perform hardware initialization during the booting process and provide runtime services for operating systems. It is stored on a non-volatile memory chip on the motherboard and is responsible for booting up the computer. BIOS is also responsible for providing basic system information such as the time and date, as well as providing access to other system settings.