Haha Dave..... We're really aging ourselves but, my husband and I had the Star TacNot only has my N2 never gotten hot (including while playing AB), it never feels warm. I used to own a Star Tac. During phone calls that sucker got so hot it felt like it was literally going to burn my cheek. I couldn't hold it tightly to my face during lengthy phone calls. the heat from that phone was ridiculous.
You're absolutely right; a partial short is essentially a resistor. Now please discuss the Wheatstone bridge. Extra credit for describing any reactive elements to the circuitry.A short is just that. Your "partial" short is a resistor.
Electricity 101
Nibble by byte, weaning from google