eric@snark.thyrsus.com (Eric S. Raymond) (12/16/90)
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X speaker's present circumstances while the latter implies a
X continuing lose of which the speaker is presently victim. Thus
X (for example) a temporary hardware failure is a loss, but bugs in
X an important tool (like a compiler) are serious lossage.
X
XLPT /lip'it/ [ITS] n. Line printer, of course. Rare under UNIX,
X commoner in hackers with MS-DOS or CP/M background (the printer
X device is called LPT: on those systems, which like ITS were
X strongly influenced by early DEC conventions).
X
XLURKER n. One of the `silent majority' in a USENET or BBS newsgroup;
X one who posts occasionally or not at all but is known to read the
X group regularly. Often in `the lurkers', the hypothetical audience
X for the group's FLAMAGE-emitting regulars.
X
XLUNATIC FRINGE [IBM] n. Customers who can be relied upon to accept
X release 1 versions of software.
X
XLUSER /loo'zr/ n. A USER who is probably also a LOSER. (LUSER and
X LOSER are pronounced identically.) This word was coined about 1975
X at MIT. Under ITS, when you first walked up to a terminal at MIT
X and typed Control-Z to get the computer's attention, it prints out
X some status information, including how many people are already
X using the computer; it might print "14 users", for example.
X Someone thought it would be a great joke to patch the system to
X print "14 losers" instead. There ensued a great controversy, as
X some of the users didn't particularly want to be called losers to
X their faces every time they used the computer. For a while several
X hackers struggled covertly, each changing the message behind the
X back of the others; any time you logged into the computer it was
X even money whether it would say "users" or "losers". Finally,
X someone tried the compromise "lusers", and it stuck until ITS
X died in early 1990. The usage lives on, however, and the term
X `luser' is often seen in program comments.
X
X {= M =}
X
XMACDINK /mak'dink/ [from the Apple Macintosh, which is said to
X encourage such behavior] v. To make many incremental and
X unnecessary cosmetic changes to a program or file. Frequently the
X subject of the macdinking would be better off without them. Ex:
X "When I left at 11pm last night, he was still macdinking the
X slides for his presentation."
X
XMACINTRASH /mak'in-trash/ The Apple Macintosh, as described by a
X hacker who doesn't appreciate being kept away from the
X _real_computer_ by the interface. See also WIMP ENVIRONMENT,
X DROOL-PROOF PAPER, USER FRIENDLY.
X
XMACRO /mak'ro/ n. A name (possibly followed by a formal ARG list)
X which is equated to a text expression to which it is to be expanded
X (possibly with substitution of actual arguments) by a language
X translator. This definition can be found in any technical
X dictionary; what those won't tell you is how the hackish
X connotations of the term have changed over time. The term `macro'
X originated in early assemblers, which encouraged use of macros as a
X structuring and information-hiding device. During the early 70s
X macro assemblers became ubiquitous and sometimes quite as powerful
X and expensive as HLLs, only to fall from favor as improving
X compiler technology marginalized assembler programming (see
X LANGUAGES OF CHOICE). Nowadays the term is most often used in
X connection with the C preprocessor, LISP, or one of several
X special-purpose languages built around a macro-expansion facility
X (such as TeX or UNIX's nroff, troff and pic suite). Indeed, the
X meaning has drifted enough that the collective `macros' is now
X sometimes used for code in any special-purpose application-control
X language (whether or not the language is actually translated by
X text expansion) as well as other "expansions" such as the
X "keyboard macros" supported in some text editors (and PC TSR
X keyboard enhancers).
X
XMACROLOGY /mak-ro'l@-jee/ n. Set of usually complex or crufty macros,
X e.g. as part of a large system written in LISP, TECO or (less
X commonly) assembler. Sometimes studying the macrology of a system
X is not unlike archaeology, hence the sound-alike construction.
X Prob. influenced by THEOLOGY (q.v.).
X
XMACROTAPE /ma'kro-tayp/ n. An industry standard reel of tape, as
X opposed to a MICROTAPE.
X
XMAGIC adj. 1. As yet unexplained, or too complicated to explain
X (compare AUTOMAGICALLY and Clarke's Third Law: "Any sufficiently
X advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"). "TTY
X echoing is controlled by a large number of magic bits." "This
X routine magically computes the parity of an eight-bit byte in three
X instructions." 2. Characteristic of something that works but no
X one really understands why. 3. [Stanford] A feature not generally
X publicized which allows something otherwise impossible, or a
X feature formerly in that category but now unveiled. Example: The
X keyboard commands which override the screen-hiding features.
X
XMAGIC COOKIE [UNIX] n. 1. Something passed between routines or
X programs that enables the receiver to perform some OBSCURE
X operation; a capability ticket. Especially used of small data
X objects which contain data encoded in a strange or intrinsically
X machine-dependent way. For example, on non-UNIX OSs with a
X non-byte-stream model of files, the result of ftell(3) may be a
X `magic cookie' rather than a byte offset; it can be passed to
X fseek(3) but not operated on in any meaningful way. 2. An in-band
X code for changing graphic rendition (i.e. inverse video or
X underlining) or performing other control functions. Some older
X terminals would leave a blank on the screen corresponding to
X mode-change cookies; this was also called a GLITCH.
X
XMAGIC NUMBER [UNIX/C] n. 1. Special data located at the beginning of a
X binary data file to indicate its type to a utility. Under UNIX the
X system and various applications programs (especially the linker)
X distinguish between types of executable by looking for a magic
X number. 2. In source code, some non-obvious constant whose value is
X significant to the operation of a program and is inserted
X inconspicuously in line, rather than expanded in by a symbol set by
X a commented #define. Magic numbers in this sense are bad style.
X
XMAGIC SMOKE n. A notional substance trapped inside IC packages that
X enables them to function (also called "blue smoke"). Its
X existence is demonstrated by what happens when a chip burns up ---
X the magic smoke gets let out, so it doesn't work any more. See
X SMOKE TEST.
X
XMANGLE v. Used similarly to MUNG or SCRIBBLE, but more violent in its
X connotations; something that is mangled has been irreversibly and
X totally trashed.
X
XMANGO [orig. in-house slang at Symbolics] n. A manager. See also
X DEVO and DOCO.
X
XMARGINAL adj. 1. Extremely small. "A marginal increase in core can
X decrease GC time drastically." In everyday terms, this means that
X it's a lot easier to clean off your desk if you have a spare place
X to put some of the junk while you sort through it. 2. Of extremely
X small merit. "This proposed new feature seems rather marginal to
X me." 3. Of extremely small probability of winning. "The power
X supply was rather marginal anyway; no wonder it fried." 4.
X MARGINALLY: adv. Slightly. "The ravs here are only marginally
X better than at Small Eating Place." See EPSILON. 4. MARGINAL
X HACKS: n. Margaret Jacks Hall, a building into which the Stanford
X AI Lab was moved near the beginning of the '80s.
X
XMARKETROID /mar'k@-troyd/ alt. MARKETING SLIME, MARKETING DROID,
X MARKETEER n. Member of a company's marketing department, esp. one
X who promises users that the next version of a product will have
X features which are unplanned, extremely difficult to implement,
X and/or violate the laws of physics; and/or one who describes
X existing features (and misfeatures) in ebullient, buzzword-laden
X adspeak. Derogatory. Used by techies.
X
XMARTIAN n. A packet sent on a TCP/IP network with a source address of
X the test loopback interface (127.0.0.1). As in "The domain server
X is getting lots of packets from Mars. Does that gateway have a
X Martian filter?"
X
XMASSAGE v. Vague term used to describe `smooth' transformations of a
X data set into a more useful form, esp. transformations which do
X not lose information. Connotes less pain and more ELEGANCE than
X MUNCH or CRUNCH (q.v.). "He wrote a program that massages X bitmap
X files into GIF format." Compare SLURP.
X
XMEATWARE n. Synonym for WETWARE (q.v.). Less common.
X
XMEGAPENNY /meg'a-pen'ee/ n. $10,000 (1 cent * 10e6). Used
X semi-humorously as a unit in comparing computer cost/performance
X figures.
X
XMEGO /mego/ or /meego/ [My Eyes Glaze Over, often Mine Eyes Glazeth
X Over, attributed to the futurologist Herman Kahn] Also MEGO FACTOR.
X 1. Handwaving intended to confuse the listener and hopefully
X induce agreement because the listener does not want to admit to not
X understanding what is going on. MEGO is usually directed at senior
X management by engineers and contains a high proportion of TLAs
X (q.v.). 2. excl. An appropriate response to MEGO tactics.
X
XMELTDOWN, NETWORK n. A state of complete network overload; the network
X equivalent of THRASHing. See also BROADCAST STORM.
X
XMEME /meem/ [coined on analogy with `gene' by Richard Dawkins] n. An
X idea considered as a REPLICATOR. Used esp. in the prase `meme
X complex' denoting a group of mutually supporting memes which form
X an organized belief system, such as a religion. This dictionary is
X a vector of the "hacker subculture" meme complex; each entry
X might be considered a meme. However, "meme" is often misused to
X mean "meme complex". Use of the term connotes acceptance of the
X idea that in humans (and presumably other tool-and language-using
X sophonts) cultural evolution by selection of adaptive ideas has
X superseded biological evolution by selection of hereditary traits.
X Hackers find this idea congenial for tolerably obvious reasons.
X
XMEMETICS /me-me-tiks/ [from MEME] The study of memes. As of 1990,
X this is still an extremely informal and speculative endeavor,
X though the first steps towards at least statistical rigor have been
X made by H. Keith Henson and others. Memetics is a popular topic
X among hackers, who like to see themselves as the architects of the
X new information ecologies in which memes live and replicate.
X
XMEME PLAGUE n. The spread of a successful but pernicious MEME, esp.
X one which `parasitizes' the victims into giving their all to
X propagate it. Astrology, BASIC, and the other guy's religion are
X often considered to be examples. This usage is given point by the
X historical fact that `joiner' ideologies like Naziism or various
X forms of millenarian Christianity have exhibited plague-like cycles
X of exponential growth followed by collapse to small `reservoir'
X populations.
X
XMEMORY LEAK [C/UNIX programmers] n. An error in a program's
X dynamic-store allocation logic that causes it to fail to reclaim
X discarded memory, leading to attempted hogging of main store and
X eventual collapse due to memory exhaustion. Also (esp. at CMU)
X called CORE LEAK, LEAKY HEAP. See ALIASING BUG, FANDANGO ON CORE,
X SMASH THE STACK, PRECEDENCE LOSSAGE, OVERRUN SCREW.
X
XMENUITIS /men`yoo-i'tis/ n. Notional disease suffered by software with
X an obsessively simple-minded menu interface and no escape. Hackers
X find this intensely irritating and much prefer the flexibility of
X command-line or language-style interfaces, especially those
X customizable via macros or a special-purpose language in which one
X can encode useful hacks. See USER-OBSEQUIOUS, DROOL-PROOF PAPER,
X WIMP ENVIRONMENT.
X
XMESS-DOS /mes-dos/ [UNIX hackers] n. Derisory term for MS-DOS. Often
X followed by the ritual expurgation "Just Say No!". See MS-DOS.
X Most hackers (even many MS-DOS hackers) loathe MS-DOS for its
X single-tasking nature, its limits on application size, its nasty
X primitive interface, and its ties to IBMness (see FEAR AND
X LOATHING). Also "mess-loss", "messy-dos", "mess-dog"
X "mess-loss" "mess-dross" and various combinations thereof.
X
XMETA /meta@/ or /mayt'@/ [from analytic philosophy] adj. One level of
X description up. Thus, a meta-syntactic variable is a variable in
X notation used to describe syntax and meta-language is language used
X to describe language. This is difficult to explain out of context,
X but much hacker humor turns on deliberate confusion between
X meta-levels. See HUMOR, HACKER.
X
XMETA BIT /meta@ bit/ or /mayt'@ bit/ n. Bit 8 of an 8-bit character,
X on in values 128-255. Also called HIGH BIT or ALT BIT. Some
X terminals and consoles (especially those designed for LISP
X traditions) have a META-shift key. Others (including, mirabile
X dictu, keyboards on IBM PC-class machines) have an ALT key. See
X also BUCKY BITS.
X
XMICROFLOPPIES n. 3-1/2 inch floppies, as opposed to 5-1/4 VANILLA or
X mini-floppies and the now-obsolescent 8-inch variety. This term
X may be headed for obsolescence as 5-1/4 inchers pass out of use,
X only to be revived if anybody floats a sub-3-inch floppy standard.
X
XMICROTAPE n. Occasionally used to mean a DECtape, as opposed to a
X MACROTAPE. A DECtape is a small reel of magnetic tape about four
X inches in diameter and an inch wide. Unlike standard magnetic
X tapes, microtapes allow "random access" to the data. In their
X heyday they were used in pretty much the same ways one would now
X use a floppy disk: as a small, portable way to save and transport
X files and programs. Apparently the term "microtape" was actually
X the official term used within DEC for these tapes until someone
X consed up [invented] the word "DECtape", which of course had more
X commercial appeal.
X
XMIDDLE-ENDIAN adj. Not BIG-ENDIAN or LITTLE-ENDIAN. Used of byte
X orders like 3-4-1-2 occasionally found in the packed-decimal
X formats from minicomputer manufacturers who shall remain nameless.
X
XMILLILAMPSON /mil'i-lamp-sn/ n. How fast people can talk. Most
X people run about 200 millilampsons. Butler Lampson (a CS theorist
X highly regarded among hackers) goes at 1000. A few people speak
X faster.
X
XMIPS /mips/ [acronym] 1. A measure of computing speed; formally,
X "Millions of Instructions Per Second"; often rendered by hackers
X as "Meaningless Indication of Processor Speed". This joke
X expresses a nearly universal attitude about the value of BENCHMARK
X (q.v.) claims, said attitude being one of the great cultural
X divides between hackers and MARKETROIDS. 2. The corporate name of
X a RISC-chip maker; among other things, they supplied silicon for the
X DEC 3100 workstation series.
X
XMISBUG [MIT] n. An unintended property of a program that turns out to
X be useful; something that should have been a BUG but turns out to be
X a FEATURE.
X
XMISFEATURE /mis-fee'chr/ n. A feature which eventually screws someone,
X possibly because it is not adequate for a new situation which has
X evolved. It is not the same as a bug because fixing it involves a
X gross philosophical change to the structure of the system involved.
X A misfeature is different from a simple unforeseen side effect; the
X term implies that the misfeature was actually carefully planned to
X be that way, but future consequences or circumstances just weren't
X predicted accurately. This is different from just not having
X thought ahead about it at all. Often a former feature becomes a
X misfeature because a tradeoff was made whose parameters
X subsequently changed (possibly only in the judgment of the
X implementors). "Well, yeah, it's kind of a misfeature that file
X names are limited to six characters, but the original implementors
X wanted to save directory space and we're stuck with it for now."
X
XMOBY [seems to have been in use among model railroad fans years ago.
X Derived from Melville's "Moby Dick" (some say from "Moby
X Pickle").] 1. adj. Large, immense, complex, impressive. "A
X Saturn V rocket is a truly moby frob." "Some MIT undergrads
X pulled off a moby hack at the Harvard-Yale game." (see Appendix
X A). 2. n. obs. The maximum address space of a machine (see
X Appendix B). Examples: for a PDP-10, a moby is 256K 36-bit words;
X for a PDP-8, it is 4096 12-bit words; for a 68000 or VAX or most
X modern 32-bit architectures, it is 4294967296 8-bit bytes. 3. A
X title of address (never of third-person reference), usually used to
X show admiration, respect, and/or friendliness to a competent
X hacker. "Greetings, moby Dave. How's that address-book thing for
X the Mac going?" 4. adj. In backgammon, doubles on the dice, as
X in "moby sixes", "moby ones", etc. Compare this with BIGNUMS:
X double sixes are both bignums and moby sixes, but moby ones are not
X bignums (the use of term "moby" to describe double ones is
X sarcastic). MOBY FOO, MOBY WIN, MOBY LOSS: standard emphatic
X forms. FOBY MOO: a spoonerism due to Greenblatt.
X
XMODE n. A general state, usually used with an adjective describing the
X state. Use of the word "mode" rather than "state" implies that
X the state is extended over time, and probably also that some
X activity characteristic of that state is being carried out. "No
X time to hack; I'm in thesis mode." Usage: in its jargon sense,
X MODE is most often said of people, though it is sometimes applied
X to programs and inanimate objects. "The E editor normally uses a
X display terminal, but if you're on a TTY it will switch to
X non-display mode." This term is normally used in a technical sense
X to describe the state of a program. Extended usage --- for example,
X to describe people --- is definitely slang. In particular, see HACK
X MODE, DAY MODE, NIGHT MODE, and YOYO MODE; also TALK MODE and
X GABRIEL MODE.
X
XMODULO /mod'yuh-low/ prep. Except for. From mathematical terminology:
X one can consider saying that 4=22 "except for the 9's" (4=22 mod
X 9) (the precise meaning is a bit more complicated, but that's the
X idea). "Well, LISP seems to work okay now, modulo that GC bug."
X "I feel fine today modulo a slight headache."
X
XMONKEY UP v. To hack together hardware for a particular task,
X especially a one-shot job. Connotes an extremely CRUFTY and
X consciously temporary solution.
X
XMONSTROSITY 1. n. A ridiculously ELEPHANTINE program or system, esp.
X one which is buggy or only marginally functional. 2. The quality
X of being monstrous (see `Peculiar nouns' in the discussion of
X jargonification).
X
XMOORE'S LAW /morz law/ n. The observation that the logic density of
X silicon integrated circuits has closely followed the curve (bits
X per inch ** 2) = 2 ** (n - 1962); that is, the amount of
X information storable in one square inch of silicon has roughly
X doubled yearly every year since the technology was invented.
X
XMOTAS /moh-tahs/ [USENET, Member Of The Appropriate Sex] n. A
X potential or (less often) actual sex partner. See MOTOS, MOTSS,
X S.O.
X
XMOTOS /moh-tohs/ [from the 1970 census forms via USENET, Member Of The
X Opposite Sex] n. A potential or (less often) actual sex partner.
X See MOTAS, MOTSS, S.O. Less common than MOTSS or MOTAS, which has
X largely displaced it.
X
XMOTSS /motss/ [from the 1970 census forms via USENET, Member Of The
X Same Sex] n. Esp. one considered as a possible sexual partner, e.g.
X by a gay or lesbian. The gay-issues newsgroup on USENET is called
X soc.motss. See MOTOS and MOTAS, which derive from it. Also see
X S.O.
X
XMOUNT v. 1. To attach a removable storage volume to a machine. In
X elder days and on mainframes this verb was used almost exclusively
X of tapes; nowadays (especially under UNIX) it is more likely to
X refer to a disk volume. 2. By extension, to attach any removable
X device such as a sensor, robot arm, or MEATWARE subsystem (see
X Appendix A).
X
XMOUSE AHEAD v. To manipulate a computer's pointing device (almost
X always a mouse in this usage, but not necessarily) and its
X selection or command buttons before a computer program is ready to
X accept such input, in anticipation of the program accepting the
X input. Handling this properly is rare, but it can help make a USER
X FRIENDLY program usable by real users, assuming they are familiar
X with the behavior of the user interface. Point-and-click analog of
X "type ahead".
X
XMOUSE AROUND v. To explore public portions of a large system, esp. a
X network such as Internet via FTP or TELNET, looking for interesting
X stuff to SNARF.
X
XMOUSO /mow'so/ n. [by analogy with `typo'] An error in mouse usage
X resulting in an inappropriate selection or graphic garbage on the
X screen. Compare THINKO.
X
XMS-DOS /em-es-das/ [MicroSoft Disk Operating System] n. A clone of
X CP/M (q.v.) for the 8088 crufted together in six weeks by hacker
X Tim Paterson, who is said to have regretted it ever since. Now the
X highest-unit-volume OS in history. Often known as DOS, which
X annoys people familiar with other similarly-abbreviated operating
X systems. See MESS-DOS.
X
XMULTICIAN /muhl-ti'sh@n/ [coined at Honeywell, c.1970] n. Competent
X user of MULTICS (q.v.).
X
XMULTICS /muhl'tiks/ n. [from "MULTiplexed Information and Computing
X Service"] An early (late 1960s) timesharing operating system
X co-designed by a consortium including MIT, GE and Bell
X Laboratories, very innovative for its time (among other things, it
X introduced the idea of treating all devices uniformly as special
X files). All the members but GE eventually pulled out after
X determining that SECOND-SYSTEM EFFECT had bloated MULTICS to the
X point of practical unusability (the `lean' predecessor in question
X is said to have been CTSS, (q.v.)). Honeywell comercialized
X MULTICS after buying out GE's computer group, but it was never very
X successful (amomg other things, one was required to enter a
X password to log out). One of the developers left in the lurch by
X the project's breakup was Ken Thompson, a circumstance which led
X directly to the birth of UNIX (q.v.). For this and other reasons
X aspects of the Multics design remain a topic of occasional debate
X among hackers. See also BRAIN DAMAGE.
X
XMUMBLAGE /mum'bl@j/ n. The topic of one's mumbling (see MUMBLE).
X "All that mumblage" is used like "all that stuff" when it is
X not quite clear what it is or how it works, or like "all that
X crap" when "mumble" is being used as an implicit replacement for
X obscenities.
X
XMUMBLE interj. 1. Said when the correct response is either too
X complicated to enunciate or the speaker has not thought it out.
X Often prefaces a longer answer, or indicates a general reluctance
X to get into a big long discussion. "Don't you think that we could
X improve LISP performance by using a hybrid reference-count
X transaction garbage collector, if the cache is big enough and there
X are some extra cache bits for the microcode to use?" "Well,
X mumble... I'll have to think about it." 2. Sometimes used as an
X expression of disagreement. "I think we should buy a VAX."
X "Mumble!" Common variant: MUMBLE FROTZ. 3. Yet another
X metasyntactic variable, like FOO.
X
XMUNCH [often confused with "mung", q.v.] v. To transform information
X in a serial fashion, often requiring large amounts of computation.
X To trace down a data structure. Related to CRUNCH and nearly
X synonymous with GROVEL, but connotes less pain.
X
XMUNCHING SQUARES n. A DISPLAY HACK dating back to the PDP-1, which
X employs a trivial computation (involving XOR'ing of x-y display
X coordinates --- see HAKMEM items 146-148) to produce an impressive
X display of moving, growing, and shrinking squares. The hack
X usually has a parameter (usually taken from toggle switches) which
X when well-chosen can produce amazing effects. Some of these,
X (re)discovered recently on the LISP machine, have been christened
X MUNCHING TRIANGLES, MUNCHING W'S, and MUNCHING MAZES. More
X generally, suppose a graphics program produces an impressive and
X ever-changing display of some basic form FOO on a display terminal,
X and does it using a relatively simple program; then the program (or
X the resulting display) is likely to be referred to as "munching
X FOOs" (this is a good example of the use of the word FOO as a
X metasyntactic variable).
X
XMUNCHKIN /muhnch'kin/ n. A teenage-or-younger micro enthusiast bashing
X BASIC or something else equally constricted. A term of mild
X derision --- munchkins are annoying but some grow up to be hackers
X after passing through a LARVAL STAGE. The term URCHIN is also used.
X See also BITTY BOX.
X
XMUNDANE [from SF fandom] n. 1. A person who is not in science
X fiction fandom. 2. A person who is not in the computer industry.
X In this sense, most often an adjectival modifier as in "in my
X mundane life..."
X
XMUNG /muhng/ alt. MUNGE /muhnj/ [in 1960 at MIT, "Mash Until No
X Good"; sometime after that the derivation from the recursive
X acronym "Mung Until No Good" became standard] v. 1. To make
X changes to a file, often large-scale, usually irrevocable.
X Occasionally accidental. See BLT. 2. To destroy, usually
X accidentally, occasionally maliciously. The system only mungs
X things maliciously; this ia a consequence of Murphy's Law. See
X SCRIBBLE, MANGLE, TRASH. Reports from USENET suggest that the
X pronunciation /muhnj/ is now usual in speech, but the spelling
X `mung' is still common in program comments. 3. The kind of beans of
X which the sprouts are used in Chinese food. (That's their real
X name! Mung beans! Really!)
X
XMUSIC n. A common extracurricular interest of hackers (compare
X SCIENCE-FICTION FANDOM, ORIENTAL FOOD; see also FILK). It is
X widely believed among hackers that there is a substantial
X correlation between whatever mysterious traits underlie hacking
X ability (on the one hand) and musical talent and sensitivity (on
X the other). It is certainly the case that hackers, as a rule, like
X music and often develop musical appreciation in unusual and
X interesting directions. Folk music is very big in hacker circles;
X so is the sort of elaborate instrumental jazz/rock that used to be
X called `progressive' and isn't recorded much any more. Also, the
X hacker's musical range tends to be wide; many can listen with equal
X appreciation to (say) Talking Heads, Yes, Spirogyra, Scott Joplin,
X King Sunny Ade, The Pretenders, or one of Bach's Brandenburg
X Concerti. It is also apparently true that hackerdom includes a
X much higher concentration of talented amateur musicians than one
X would expect from a similar-sized control group of MUNDANES.
X
XMUTTER v. To quietly enter a command not meant for the ears of
X ordinary mortals. Frequently in "mutter an INCANTATION".
X
X {= N =}
X
XN /en/ adj. 1. Some large and indeterminate number of objects; "There
X were N bugs in that crock!"; also used in its original sense of a
X variable name. 2. An arbitrarily large (and perhaps infinite)
X number; "This crock has N bugs, as N goes to infinity". 3. A
X variable whose value is specified by the current context. For
X example, when ordering a meal at a restaurant N may be understood
X to mean however many people there are at the table. From the
X remark "We'd like to order N wonton soups and a family dinner for
X N-1." you can deduce that one person at the table wants to eat
X only soup, even though you don't know how many people there are. A
X silly riddle: "How many computers does it take to shift the bits
X in a register? N+1: N to hold all the bits still, and one to shove
X the register over." 4. NTH: adj. The ordinal counterpart of N.
X "Now for the Nth and last time..." In the specific context
X "Nth-year grad student", N is generally assumed to be at least 4,
X and is usually 5 or more. See also RANDOM NUMBERS, TWO-TO-THE-N.
X
XNAILED TO THE WALL [like a trophy] adj. Said of a bug finally
X eliminated after protracted and even heroic effort.
X
XNANOACRE /nan'o-ay-kr/ n. An areal init (about 2mm.sq.) of
X "real-estate" on a VLSI chip. The term derives its amusement
X value from the fact that VLSI nanoacres have costs in the same
X range as real acres once one figures in design and
X fabrication-setup costs.
X
XNANOBOT /nan'oh-bot/ n. A robot of microscopic proportions, presumably
X built by means of NANOTECHNOLOGY (q.v.). As yet, only used
X informally (and speculatively!). Also sometimes called a
X `nanoagent'.
X
XNANOCOMPUTER /nan'oh-k@m-pyoo-tr/ n. A computer whose switching
X elements are molecular in size. Designs for mechanical
X nanocomputers which use single-molecule sliding rods for their
X logic have been proposed. The controller for a NANOBOT would be a
X nanocomputer.
X
XNANOTECHNOLOGY /nan'-oh-tek-naw`l@-ji/ n. A hypothetical fabrication
X technology in which objects are designed and built with the
X individual specification and placement of each separate atom. The
X first unequivocal nano-fabrication experiments are taking place now
X (1990), for example with the deposition of individual xenon atoms
X on a nickel substrate to spell the logo of a certain very large
X computer company by two of its physicists. Nanotechnology has been
X a hot topic in the hacker subculture ever since the term was coined
X by K. Eric Drexler in his book "Engines of Creation", where he
X predicted that nanotechnology could give rise to replicating
X assemblers, permitting an exponential growth of productivity and
X personal wealth.
X
XNASTYGRAM n. 1. A protocol packet or item of email (the latter is also
X called a `letterbomb') that takes advantage of misfeatures or
X security holes on the target system to do untoward things. 2.
X Disapproving mail, esp. from a net.god, pursuant to a violation of
X NETIQUETTE. Compare SHITOGRAM. 3. (deprecated) An error reply by
X mail from a DAEMON; in particular, a BOUNCE MESSAGE.
X
XNEOPHILIA /nee-oh-fil'-ee-uh/ n. The trait of being excited and
X pleased by novelty. Common trait of most hackers, SF fans, and
X members of several other connected "leading-edge" subcultures
X including the pro-technology "Whole-Earth" wing of the ecology
X movement, space activists, theater people, the membership of MENSA,
X and the Discordian/neo-pagan underground. All these groups overlap
X heavily and (where evidence is available) seem to share
X characteristic hacker tropisms for SF, MUSIC and ORIENTAL FOOD.
X
XNETHACK /net'hak/ n. See HACK, sense #12.
X
XNETIQUETTE /net'ee-ket, net'i-ket/ n. Conventions of politeness
X recognized on USENET, such as: avoidance of cross-posting to
X inappropriate groups, or refraining from commercial pluggery on the
X net.
X
XNEEP-NEEP /neep neep/ [onomatopoeic, from New York SF fandom] n. One
X who is fascinated by computers. More general than HACKER, as it
X need not imply more skill than is required to boot games on a PC.
X The gerund NEEP-NEEPING applies specifically to the long
X conversations about computers that tend to develop in the corners
X at most SF-convention parties. Fandom has a related proverb to the
X effect that "Hacking is a conversational black hole!"
X
XNET. (net dot) [USENET] Prefix used to describe people and events
X related to USENET. From the time before the GREAT RENAMING, when
X when all non-local newsgroups had names beginning "net.".
X Includes net.god(s) (q.v.), net.goddesses (various charismatic
X women with circles of on-line admirers), net.lurkers, (see LURKER),
X net.parties (a synonym for BOINK sense #2 (q.v.)) and many similar
X constructs. See also NET.POLICE.
X
XNET.GOD (net god) n. Used to refer to anyone who satisfies some
X combination of the following conditions: has been visible on USENET
X for more than five years, ran one of the original backbone sites,
X moderated an important newsgroup, wrote news software, or knows
X Gene, Mark, Rick, Henry, Chuq, and Greg personally. See DEMIGOD.
X
XNET.POLICE n. Those USENET readers who feel it is their
X responsibility to pounce on and FLAME any posting which they regard
X as offensive, or in violation of their understanding of NETIQUETTE.
X Generally used sarcastically or pejoratively. Also spelled
X `net.police'. See also NET., CODE POLICE.
X
XNETWORK ADDRESS n. As used by hackers, means an address on THE NETWORK
X (almost always a BANG PATH or INTERNET ADDRESS). An essential to be
X taken seriously by hackers; in particular, persons or organizations
X claiming to understand, work with, sell to, or recruit from among
X hackers that *don't* display net addresses are quietly presumed to
X be clueless poseurs and mentally FLUSHED (sense #3). Hackers often
X put their net addresses on their business cards and wear them
X prominently in contexts where they expect to meet other hackers
X face-to-face (see also SCIENCE-FICTION FANDOM) This is mostly
X functional, but is also a connotative signal that one identifies
X with hackerdom (like lodge pins among Masons or tie-died T-shirts
X among Grateful Dead fans). Net addresses are often used in email
X text as a more concise substitute for personal names; indeed,
X hackers may come to know each other quite well by network names
X without ever learning each others' `legal' monikers. See also
X SITENAME.
X
XNETWORK, THE n. 1. The union of all the major academic and
X noncommercial/hacker-oriented networks such as Internet, the old
X ARPANET, NSFNet, BITNET and the virtual UUCP and USENET
X "networks", plus the corporate in-house networks that gate to
X them. A site is generally considered `on the network' if it can be
X reached through some combination of Internet-style (@-sign) and
X UUCP (bang-path) addresses. See BANG PATH, INTERNET ADDRESS,
X NETWORK ADDRESS. 2. A fictional conspiracy of libertarian
X hacker-subversives and anti-authoritarian monkeywrenchers described
X in Robert Anton Wilson's novel _Schrodinger's_Cat_, to which many
X hackers have subsequently decided they belong (this is an example
X of HA HA, ONLY SERIOUS).
X
XNEW TESTAMENT n. [C programmers] The second edition of K&R's "The C
X Programming Language", defining ANSI Standard C. See WHITE BOOK.
X
XNEWBIE /n./ [orig. fr. British military & public-school slang] A
X USENET neophyte. This term originated in the NEWSGROUP
X "talk.bizarre" but is now in wide use. Criteria for being
X considered a newbie vary wildly; a person can be called a newbie in
X one newsgroup while remaining a respected participant in another.
X The label "newbie" is sometimes applied as a serious insult, to a
X person who has been around USENET for a long time, but who
X carefully hides all evidence of having a clue. See BIFF.
X
XNEWGRP WARS /n[y]oo'grp wohrz/ [USENET] n. Salvos of dueling `newgrp'
X and `rmgroup' messages sometimes exchanged by persons on opposite
X sides of a dispute over whether a NEWSGROUP should be created
X netwide. These usually settle out within a week or two as it
X becomes clear whether the group has a natural constituency
X (usually, it doesn't). At times, especially in the completely
X anarchic `alt' hierarchy, the names of newsgroups themselves become
X a form of comment or humor; cf. the spinoff of
X alt.swedish.chef.bork.bork.bork from alt.tv.muppets in early 1990,
X or any number of specialized abuse groups named after particularly
X notorious FLAMERs.
X
XNEWLINE /n[y]oo'lien/ n. 1. [UNIX] The ASCII LF character (decimal
X 10), used under UNIX as a text line terminator. A Bell-Labs-ism
X rather than a Berkeleyism; interestingly (and unusually for UNIX
X slang) it is said originally to have been an IBM usage. 2. More
X generally, any magic character sequence or operation (like Pascal's
X writeln() function) required to terminate a text record. See CRLF,
X TERPRI.
X
XNEWSFROUP /n[y]oos'froop/ [USENET] n. Silly written-only synonym for
X NEWSGROUP, originated as a typo but now in regular use on USENET'S
X talk.bizarre and other not-real-tightly-wrapped groups.
X
XNEWSGROUP [USENET] n. One of USENET's large collection of topic
X groups. Among the best-known are comp.lang.c (the C-language
X forum), comp.1.wizards (for UNIX wizards), rec.arts.sf-lovers
X (for science-fiction fans) and talk.politics.misc (miscellaneous
X political discussions and FLAMAGE).
X
XNICKLE n. A NYBBLE + 1; 5 bits. Reported among developers for Mattel's
X GI 1600 (the Intellivision games processor), a chip with
X 16-bit-wide RAM but 10-bit-wide ROM. See also DECLE.
X
XNIGHT MODE n. See PHASE (of people).
X
XNIL [from LISP terminology for "false"] No. Usage: used in reply to
X a question, particularly one asked using the "-P" convention.
X See T.
X
XNMI n. Non-Maskable Interrupt. See PRIORITY INTERRUPT.
X
XNON-OPTIMAL (or SUB-OPTIMAL) SOLUTION n. An astoundingly stupid way to
X do something. This term is generally used in deadpan sarcasm, as
X its impact is greatest when the person speaking looks completely
X serious. Compare STUNNING. See also BAD THING.
X
XNONTRIVIAL adj. Requiring real thought or significant computing power.
X Often used as an understated way of saying that a problem is quite
X difficult. See TRIVIAL, UNINTERESTING, INTERESTING.
X
XNO-OP /noh-op/ alt. NOP (nop) [no operation] n. 1. A machine
X instruction that does nothing (sometimes used in assembler-level
X programming as filler for data areas). 2. A person who contributes
X nothing to a project, or has nothing going on upstairs, or both.
X As in "he's a no-op.". 3. Any operation or sequence of operations
X with no effect, such as circling the block without finding a
X parking space, or putting money into a vending machine and having
X it fall immediately into the coin-return box, or asking someone for
X help and being told to go away. "Oh well, that was a no-op."
X
XNP-* /en pee/ pref. Extremely. Used to modify adjectives describing a
X level or quality of difficulty. "Getting this algorithm to
X perform correctly in every case is NP-annoying." This is
X generalized from the computer science terms "NP-hard" and
X "NP-easy". NP is the set of Nondeterministic-Polynomial
X algorithms, those which can be completed by a nondeterministic
X finite state machine in an amount of time that is a polynomial
X function of the size of the input.
X
XNUKE v. 1. To intentionally delete the entire contents of a given
X directory or storage volume. "On UNIX, rm -r /usr will nuke
X everything in the usr filesystem." Never used for accidental
X deletion. Oppose BLOW AWAY. 2. Syn. for DIKE, applied to smaller
X things such as files, features or code sections. 3. Used of
X processes as well as files; frequently an alias for "kill -9" on
X UNIX.
X
XNULL DEVICE n. A LOGICAL input/output device connected to the BIT
X BUCKET; when you write to it nothing happens, when you reaad from
X it you get a zero-length record full of nothing. Useful for
X discarding unwanted output or using interactive programs in a
X non-interactive way. See /DEV/NULL.
X
XNUXI PROBLEM, THE /nuk'see pro'blm, dh@/ n. This refers to the problem
X of transferring data between machines with differing byte-order.
X The string "UNIX" might look like "NUXI" on a machine with a
X different "byte sex" (i.e. when transferring data from a
X little-endian to a big endian or vice-versa). See also, BIG-ENDIAN,
X LITTLE-ENDIAN, SWAB, and BYTESEXUAL.
X
XNYBBLE /nib'l/ [from v. `nibble' by analogy with `bite' -> `byte'] n.
X Four bits; one hexadecimal digit; a half-byte. Though `byte' is now
X accepted technical jargon found in dictionaries, this useful
X relative is still slang. Compare CRUMB, see also BIT.
X
X {= O =}
X
XOB /ob/ pref. Obligatory. A piece of NETIQUETTE that acknowledges the
X author has been straying from the newsgroup's charter. For
X example, if a posting in alt.sex has nothing particularly to do
X with sex, the author may append "ObSex" (or "Obsex") and toss
X off a question or vignette about some unusual erotic act.
X
XOBSCURE adj. Used in an exaggeration of its normal meaning, to imply a
X total lack of comprehensibility. "The reason for that last crash
X is obscure." "The find(1) command's syntax is obscure."
X MODERATELY OBSCURE implies that it could be figured out but
X probably isn't worth the trouble. OBSCURE IN THE EXTREME is a
X preferred emphatic form.
X
XOBFUSCATED C CONTEST n. Annual contest run since 1984 over THE NETWORK
X by Landon Curt Noll & friends. The overall winner is he who
X produces the most unreadable, creative and bizarre working C
X program; various other prizes are awarded at the judges' whim.
X Given C's terse syntax and macro-preprocessor facilities, this
X gives contestants a lot of maneuvering room. The winning programs
X often manage to be simultaneously a) funny, b) breathtaking works
X of art, and c) Horrible Examples of how *not* to code in C.
X
X This relatively short and sweet entry might help convey the flavor
X of obfuscated C:
X
X
X
X main(v,c)char**c;{for(v[c++]="Hello, world!\n)";(!!c)[*c]&&
X (v--||--c&&execlp(*c,*c,c[!!c]+!!c,!c));**c=!c)write(!!*c,*c,
X !!**c);}
X
XOCTAL FORTY /ok'tl for'tee/ n. Hackish way of saying "I'm drawing a
X blank" (octal 40 is the ASCII space character). See WALL.
X
XOFF-BY-ONE ERROR n. Exceedingly common error induced in many ways,
X such as by starting at 0 when you should have started at 1 or vice
X versa, or by writing < N instead of <= N or vice-versa. Also
X applied to giving an object to the person next to the one who
X should have gotten it. Often confused with FENCEPOST ERROR, which
X is properly a particular subtype of it.
X
XOFF THE TROLLEY adj. Describes the behavior of a program which
X malfunctions but doesn't actually CRASH or get halted by the
X operating system. See GLITCH, BUG, DEEP SPACE.
X
XOFFLINE adv. Not now or not here. Example: "Let's take this
X discussion offline." Specifically used on USENET to suggest that
X a discussion be taken off a public newsgroup to email.
X
XOLD FART n. Tribal elder. A title self-assumed with remarkable
X frequency by (esp.) USENETters who have been programming for more
X than about twenty five years; frequently appears in SIGs attached
X to jargon file contributions of great archeological significance.
X This is a term of insult in second or third person but pride in
X first person.
X
XOLD TESTAMENT n. [C programmers] The first edition of the book
X describing CLASSIC C; see WHITE BOOK.
X
XONE BELL SYSTEM (IT WORKS) This was the output from the old Unix V6
X "1" command. The "1" command also contained a random number
X generator which gave it a one in ten chance of recursively
X executing itself.
X
XONE-LINER WARS n. Popular game among hackers who code in the language
X APL (see WRITE-ONLY LANGUAGE). The objective is to see who can code
X the most interesting and/or useful routine in one line of operators
X chosen from APL's exceedingly HAIRY primitive set. [This is not
X *quite* as silly as it sounds; I myself have coded one-line LIFE
X (q.v.) programs and once uttered a one-liner that performed lexical
X analysis of its input string followed by a dictionary lookup for
X good measure --- ESR]
X
XOOBLICK /oo'blik/ [from Dr. Seuss' "Bartholomew and the Ooblick"] n.
X A bizarre semi-liquid sludge made from cornstarch and water.
X Enjoyed among hackers who make batches for playtime at parties for
X its amusing and extremely non-Newtonian behavior; it pours and
X splatters, but resists rapid motion like a solid and will even
X crack when hit by a hammer. Often found near lasers.
X
XOPEN n. Abbreviation for "open (or left) parenthesis", used when
X necessary to eliminate oral ambiguity. To read aloud the LISP form
X (DEFUN FOO (X) (PLUS X 1)) one might say: "Open def-fun foo, open
X eks close, open, plus ekx one, close close." See CLOSE.
X
XOPEN SWITCH [IBM] n. An unresolved issue.
X
XOPERATING SYSTEM n. (Often abbreviated "OS") The foundation software
X of a machine, of course; that which schedules tasks, allocates
X storage, and presents a default interface to the user between
X applications. The facilities the operating system provides and its
X general design philosophy exert an extremely strong influence on
X programming style and the technical culture that grows up around a
X machine. Hacker folklore has been shaped primarily by the UNIX,
X ITS, TOPS-10, TOPS-20/TWENEX, VMS, CP/M, MS-DOS, and MULTICS
X operating systems (most importantly by ITS and UNIX). Each of these
X has its own entry, which see.
X
XORANGE BOOK, THE n. The U.S. Government's standards document (Trusted
X Computer System Evaluation Criteria, DOD standard 5200.28-STD,
X December, 1985) characterizing secure computing architectures,
X defining levels A1 (most secure) through C3 (least). Stock UNIXes
X are roughly C2. See also RED BOOK, BLUE BOOK, GREEN BOOK, SILVER
X BOOK, PURPLE BOOK, WHITE BOOK, PINK-SHIRT BOOK, DRAGON BOOK.
X
XORIENTAL FOOD n. Hackers display an intense tropism towards Oriental
X cuisine, especially Chinese, and especially of the spicier
X varieties such as Szechuan and Hunan. This phenomenon (which has
X also been observed in subcultures which overlap heavily with
X hackerdom, most notably science-fiction fandom) has never been
X satisfactorily explained, but is sufficiently intense that one can
X assume the target of a hackish dinner expedition to be the best
X local Chinese place and be right at least 3 times out of 4. See
X also RAVS, GREAT-WALL, STIR-FRIED RANDOM. Thai, Indian, Korean and
X Vietnamese cuisines are also quite popular.
X
XORPHAN [UNIX] n. A process whose parent has died; one inherited by
X init(1). Compare ZOMBIE.
X
XORTHOGONAL [from mathematics] adj. Mutually independent;
X well-separated; sometimes, irrelevant to. Used in a generalization
X of its mathematical meaning to describe sets of primitives or
X capabilities which, like a vector basis in geometry, span the
X entire `capability space' of the system and are in some sense
X non-overlapping or mutually independent. For example, in
X architectures such as the MC68000 where all or nearly all registers
X can be used interchangeably in any role with respect to any
X instruction, the register set is said to be orthogonal. Or, in
X logic, the set of operators `not' and `or' is orthogonal, but the
X set `nand', `or' and `not' is not (because any one of these can
X be expressed in terms of the other two via De Morgan's Laws). Also
X used in comment on human discourse; "This may be orthogonal to the
X discussion, but...".
X
XOS /oh ess/ 1. [Operating System] n. Acronym heavily used in email,
X occasionally in speech. 2. obs. n. On ITS, an output spy. See
X Appendix B.
X
XOS/2 (oh ess too) n. The anointed successor to MS-DOS for Intel-286
X and (allegedly) 386-based micros; proof that IBM/Microsoft couldn't
X get it right the second time, either. Cited here because
X mentioning it is always good for a cheap laugh among hackers --- the
X design was so bad that three years after introduction you could
X still count the major APPs shipping for it on the fingers of two
X hands. Often called "Half-an-OS". See VAPORWARE, MONSTROSITY,
X CRETINOUS, SECOND-SYSTEM EFFECT.
X
XOVERRUN SCREW [C programming] n. A variety of FANDANGO ON CORE
X produced by scribbling past the end of an array (C has no checks
X for this). This is relatively benign and easy to spot if the array
X is static; if it is auto, the result may be to SMASH THE STACK. The
X term OVERRUN SCREW is used esp. of scribbles beyond the end of
X arrays allocated with malloc(3); this typically trashes the
X allocation header for the next block in the ARENA, producing
X massive lossage within malloc and (frequently) a core dump on the
X next operation to use stdio or malloc(3) itself. See also MEMORY
X LEAK, ALIASING BUG, PRECEDENCE LOSSAGE, FANDANGO ON CORE.
X
X {= P =}
X
XPAGE IN [MIT] v. To become aware of one's surroundings again after
X having paged out (see PAGE OUT). Usually confined to the sarcastic
X comment, "So-and-so pages in. Film at 11." See FILM AT 11.
X
XPAGE OUT [MIT] v. To become unaware of one's surroundings temporarily,
X due to daydreaming or preoccupation. "Can you repeat that? I
X paged out for a minute." See PAGE IN. Compare GLITCH, THINKO.
X
XPANIC [UNIX] v. An action taken by a process or the entire operating
X system when an unrecoverable error is discovered. The action
X usually consists of: (1) displaying localized information on the
X controlling terminal, (2) saving, or preparing for saving, a memory
X image of the process or operating system, and (3) terminating the
X process or rebooting the system.
X
XPARAM /p@-ram'/ n. Speeech-only shorthand for "parameter". Compare
X ARG, VAR. The plural `params' is often further compressed to
X `parms'.
X
XPARITY ERRORS pl.n. Those little lapses of attention or (in more
X severe cases) consciousness, usually brought on by having spent all
X night and most of the next day hacking. "I need to go home and
X crash; I'm starting to get a lot of parity errors." Derives from a
X relatively common but nearly always correctable transient error in
X RAM hardware.
X
XPARSE [from linguistic terminology via AI research] v. 1. To determine
X the syntactic structure of a sentence or other utterance (close to
X the standard English meaning). Example: "That was the one I saw
X you." "I can't parse that." 2. More generally, to understand
X or comprehend. "It's very simple; you just kretch the glims and
X then aos the zotz." "I can't parse that." 3. Of fish, to have
X to remove the bones yourself (usually at a Chinese restaurant).
X "I object to parsing fish" means "I don't want to get a whole
X fish, but a sliced one is okay." A "parsed fish" has been
X deboned. There is some controversy over whether "unparsed"
X should mean "bony", or also mean "deboned".
X
XPATCH 1. n. A temporary addition to a piece of code, usually as a
X quick-and-dirty remedy to an existing bug or misfeature. A patch
X may or may not work, and may or may not eventually be incorporated
X permanently into the program. 2. v. To insert a patch into a piece
X of code. 3. [in the UNIX world] n. a set of differences between two
X versions of source code, generated with diff(1) and intended to be
X mechanically applied using patch(1); often used as a way of
X distributing source code upgrades and fixes over USENET.
X
XPBD [abbrev of `Programmer Brain Damage'] n. Applied to bug reports
X revealing places where the program was obviously broken due to an
X incompetent or short-cited programmer. Compare UBD; see also
X BRAIN-DAMAGED.
X
XPC-ISM n. A piece of code or coding technique that takes advantage of
X the unprotected single-tasking environment in IBM PCs and the like.
X e.g. by busy-waiting on a hardware register, direct diddling of
X screen memory, or using hard timing loops. Compare ILL-BEHAVED,
X VAXISM, UNIXISM. Also, PC-WARE n., a program full of PC-ISMs on a
X machine with a more capable operating system. Pejorative.
X
XPD /pee-dee/ adj. Common abbreviation for "public domain", applied
X to software distributed over USENET and from Internet archive
X sites. Much of this software is not in fact "public domain" in
X the legal sense but travels under various copyrights granting
X reproduction and use rights to anyone who can SNARF a copy. See
X COPYLEFT.
X
XPDL /pid'l/ or /pud'l/ [acronym for Push Down List] n. 1. A LIFO queue
X or stack; more loosely, any priority queue; even more loosely, any
X queue. A person's pdl is the set of things he has to do in the
X future. One speaks of the next project to be attacked as having
X risen to the top of the pdl. "I'm afraid I've got real work to
X do, so this'll have to be pushed way down on my pdl." "I haven't
X done it yet because every time I pop my pdl something new gets
X pushed." If you are interrupted several times in the middle of a
X conversation, "my pdl overflowed" means "I forget what we were
X talking about" (the implication is that too many items were pushed
X onto the pdl than could be remembered, and so the least recent
X items were lost). All these usages are also frequently found with
X STACK (q.v) itself as the subject noun. See PUSH and POP. 2. Dave
X Lebling, one of the coauthors of ZORK (q.v.); (his NETWORK ADDRESS
X on the ITS machines was at one time pdl@dms).
X
XPDP-10 [Programmable Data Processor model 10] n. The machine that made
X timesharing real. Looms large in hacker folklore due to early
X adoption in the mid-70s by many university computing facilities and
X research labs including the MIT AI lab, Stanford and CMU. Some
X aspects of the instruction set (most notably the bit-field
X instructions) are still considered unsurpassed. Later editions
X were labelled `DECsystem-10' as a way of differentiating them from
X the PDP-11. The '10 was eventually eclipsed by the PDP-11 and VAX
X machines and dropped from DEC's line in the early '80s, and in 1990
X to have cut one's teeth on one is considered something of a badge
X of honorable old-timerhood among hackers. See TOPS-10, ITS,
X Appendix B.
X
XPERCENT-S /per-sent' ess/ [From "%s", the formatting sequence in C's
X printf(3) library function used to indicate that an arbitrary
X string may be inserted] n. An unspecified person or object. "I
X was just talking to some percent-s in administration." Compare
X RANDOM.
X
XPERF /perf/ n. See CHAD (sense #1).
X
SHAR_EOF
chmod 0644 jsplit.af || echo "restore of jsplit.af fails"
if [ $TOUCH = can ]
then
touch -am 1215215290 jsplit.af
fi
exit 0