Computer Jargon: #2 Pre-World Wide Web Terminology

noun. A network of groups dedicated to sometimes extremely specific minutiae of various forms of pop culture, where direct communication was impossible but posting on topic was nearly constant. Came into being around 1979, and was supported on unix machines around the world.

noun. A system much like the above, but usually run out of someone's home on their own computer through their own phone line. Database message system that members can log on to and post messages about various topics.

noun. A post or email deliberately used to anger or start a fight. Considered a breach of the cordial relationship that was the unwritten law of the internet in the the early years.

noun. A discussion that has fallen from whatever it's premise was into a back and forth of the kind defined in the immediately preceeding question.

noun. A programmer who uses one or several of the early programming languages or machine code with expertise. Connotes a level of understanding of the architecture of a system held by a select few. Spoken with the same sort of air as when one talks about the "good old days."

noun. Any piece of equipment built by an individual for personal use and modified to fit their personal needs. Also the name of an early club of computer buffs who aggregated for the purposes of like minded discussion, trading parts, programs, ideas, information, and to show off. Originated in the Bay Area.

noun. The first microcomputer available for affordable purchase by individuals as opposed to schools, governments, or businesses. Had no keyboard, no monitor, and could be programmed only by a series of switches on the front of the box.

noun. A derogatory nickname for the Fortran programming langauge.

noun. An internet law stating essentially that in any internet discussion, the probability that Hilter or Nazis will be brought into said discussion as a comparison to whatever is being discussed, is inevitable, given enough time.

noun. Said of something, occasionally a good unintended consequence(feature as opposed to bug), that words but no one can explain why that should be the case.

noun. A bug that doesn't rear it's ugly head until someone notices it, at which point the system crashes. It manifests because it has been observed.

noun. Notional opposite of cyberspace

noun. A programmer who knows about a particular program, environment, or architecture at the 'atomic' level, as opposed to a hacker, who knows about computer systems in general and hacking principals and actions. A hacker can become one of these about one of the items listed above, but it is not automatic that all hackers are these.