jordan@mddc.UUCP (07/25/83)
While we're on etymologies, does anyone how the term 'finger' as in the finger command on Unix and twenex came into being? _____________________________________________________________ Jordan Bortz UUCP : ..decvax!cbosgd!mddc!jordan ARPA : ..cbosgd!mddc!jordan@berkeley.ARPA FLAMES : /dev/null on your local system
barmar@mit-eddie.UUCP (Barry Margolin) (07/31/83)
I believe that the FINGER program comes from the ITS (Incompatible Timesharing System) operating system at MIT. The original name of this program was NAME, but somehow it acquired the synonym FINGER. I believe it has something to do with the fact that it tells you where the person is logged in from, thus pointing a finger at him. -- Barry Margolin ARPA: barmar@MIT-Multics UUCP: ..!genrad!mit-eddie!barmar
dje@5941ux.UUCP (08/01/83)
Regarding the etymology of FINGER: In the mid '70s, when I was using ITS (the Incompatible Timesharing System), the program to identify all the users logged in was called "NAME" and not "FINGER". However, the Stanford system's counterpart program in use at the same time was called "FINGER."
debray@sbcs.UUCP (08/02/83)
I wonder whether "finger" might have anything to do with the word "fist" as used by ham radio operators in the old days of Morse Code transmission: I believe "fist" referred to an operator's distinctive transmission style, and equivalently, his identity. Saumya Debray SUNY at Stony Brook
jcz@ncsu.UUCP (08/03/83)
References: mddc.203 'finger' as in put the finger on someone.
jlw@ariel.UUCP (J.WOOD) (08/05/83)
Don't youse mugs know nuttin' about fingering. When I put the finger on you youse'll know it. Muggsy Joseph L. Wood, III ABI Holmdel (201) 834-3759 ariel!jlw