This file was converted from the original database on:
          Fri Feb 18 15:36:27 2000


The original data is available from:
     http://www.jargon.org/

The original data was distributed with the notice shown below.  No
additional restrictions are claimed.  Please redistribute this
changed version under the same conditions and restriction that
apply to the original version.

   
   #======= THIS IS THE JARGON FILE, VERSION 4.2.0, 31 JAN 2000 =======#
   
      This is the Jargon File, a comprehensive compendium of hacker slang
   illuminating many aspects of hackish tradition, folklore, and humor.
   
      This document (the Jargon File) is in the public domain, to be freely
   used, shared, and modified.  There are (by intention) no legal
   restraints on what you can do with it, but there are traditions about
   its proper use to which many hackers are quite strongly attached.
   Please extend the courtesy of proper citation when you quote the File,
   ideally with a version number, as it will change and grow over time.
   (Examples of appropriate citation form: "Jargon File 4.2.0" or
"The
   on-line hacker Jargon File, version 4.2.0, 31 JAN 2000".)
   
      The Jargon File is a common heritage of the hacker culture.  Over
   the years a number of individuals have volunteered considerable time to
   maintaining the File and been recognized by the net at large as editors
   of it.  Editorial responsibilities include: to collate contributions
   and suggestions from others; to seek out corroborating information; to
   cross-reference related entries; to keep the file in a consistent
   format; and to announce and distribute updated versions periodically.
   Current volunteer editors include:
   
      Eric Raymond 
   
      Although there is no requirement that you do so, it is considered
   good form to check with an editor before quoting the File in a
   published work or commercial product.  We may have additional
   information that would be helpful to you and can assist you in framing
   your quote to reflect not only the letter of the File but its spirit as
   well.
   
      All contributions and suggestions about this file sent to a volunteer
   editor are gratefully received and will be regarded, unless otherwise
   labelled, as freely given donations for possible use as part of this
   public-domain file.
   
      From time to time a snapshot of this file has been polished, edited,
   and formatted for commercial publication with the cooperation of the
   volunteer editors and the hacker community at large.  If you wish to
   have a bound paper copy of this file, you may find it convenient to
   purchase one of these.  They often contain additional material not
   found in on-line versions.  The two `authorized' editions so far are
   described in the Revision History section; there may be more in the
   future.