The Jargon File

The World Wide Web version

by Hans de Wolf

To the index ...

What is the Jargon File ?

Welcome to the hypertext version of the Jargon File, a collection of slang terms used by various subcultures of computer hackers. Though some technical material is included for background and flavor, it is not a technical dictionary. It contains the language hackers use among themselves for fun, social communication, and technical debate. But there is more. Because hackers, as a rule, love wordplay and are very conscious and inventive in their use of language, their inventions display an almost unique combination of the neotenous enjoyment of language-play with the discrimination of educated and powerful intelligence.

The Jargon File is primarily a lexicon, but also includes `topic entries' which collect background or sidelight information on hacker culture. Though the format is that of a reference volume, it is intended that the material be enjoyable to browse. Even a complete outsider should find at least a chuckle on nearly every page, and much that is amusingly thought-provoking.

The Jargon file started its life in 1975 (see history) and was maintained by hackers themselves for over 15 years into the version that you are now reading.

About this version

History

I encoutered the Jargon File in a review of the Yellow Book in Byte. After searching some bookshops I got hold of the book, enjoyed it, but disliked one aspect: there was no easy means for following all the links to related items. It was clear to me that a hypertext version was needed.

When I learned about the World-Wide Web, it seemed to me to be the perfect tool to make Jargon File accessible. Because I needed to gain some experience with creating Web pages, I decided to convert the Jargon text file to Web pages.

This Web version contains all text from the 3.0.0 version that is available on the net. I have added index pages to make the topics better accessible. In addition, also the entries that have been deleted in versions 2.9.12 and 3.0.0 are included (they are accessible through the update lists of 2.9.12 and 3.0.0). These deleted entries have been extracted from the 2.9.10 version.

Using the buttons

The icons on the pages have the following meaning:
takes you to the (alphabetically) previous entry
takes you to the (alphabetically) next entry
In index pages these buttons take you to the next or previous index page; in the introduction pages they take you to the next or previous section of the introduction. Using these buttons you can read the file like a book.
takes you up one level, to the index where the current item is listed.
takes you to the index page of the Jargon File.

Problems, Suggestions and Contributions

It is possible that some errors have been introduced in the translation to hypertext. I would like to hear from you if you discover problems related to the translation to hypertext.

Note: Do not send me contributions and suggestions about the Jargon File to me, but report them to the maintainers of the file (Eric S. Raymond, with assistance from Guy L. Steele Jr.). Read the sections about new entries about how you can contribute to the file. Do not complain to them about any problems related to this web version - blame me for those.

Distribution

This version, like the original jargon file, is placed in the public domain. This means that you do not have to pay anything for it, and that you can do anything that you want with it. However, if you like this Web version, I hope to hear from you (via e-mail or a postcard of your hometown). If there is sufficient interest, I intend to update this Web version when a new version of the jargon file appears on the net.
If you install these pages on a Web server, please send me a message with the URL to it. To make it easier for you, all links use only relative directory paths.
If you include these pages on a CD-ROM or any other collection, I would like to receive a copy of it.
Hans de Wolf Hendrik Schaarstraat 26
1544 WH Zaandijk
the Netherlands