Table of Contents
Jargon File
See IT Bibliography, Bibliography
The Jargon File is a dictionary of common computer lingo (the “jargon”). It is quite funny in many places, though slightly out of date in others. It is also known as The Hacker's Dictionary, or the Hacker's Jargon File. It is public domain, but the authors request attribution. The current incarnation is here. In addition to the glossary of hacker terms which forms the bulk of the file, there are several longer pieces in various appendices.
The Jargon File and this Wiki
Since the Jargon File is in the public domain, entries from the Jargon File can be incorporated into this wiki at will. Keep in mind that the authors of the Jargon File request attribution.
The creators of the File assumed that the reader had some knowledge of the technical meaning of the terms. Also, the File focuses on humor rather than information. Subjects that are the basis of holy wars are explained in a provocative manner, to increase entertainment value, so it is a good idea to edit LQwiki incorporated entries with an eye towards NPOV (neutral point of view). Despite all of this, the File does serve a purpose here. It provides a starting point that LQwiki contributors can build on, which prevents us from having to reinvent the wheel. Also, the file, which was started in the elder days provides insight into the hacker culture which created Linux, and its history.
If you wish to help incorporate the Jargon File into this wiki, it is advised that you concentrate on incorporating Jargon material into existing articles first, and then creating new articles from the Wantedpages list. This will help to ensure that the incorporated entries are on topic.
To add the appropriate attribution to an entry with information from the Jargon File, please include the following:
This will produce “
Fair Use Source: This article is based, in whole or in part, on entry or entries in the Jargon File.
”
- Jargon File Attribution - Attribution template
Objections
If you want to see how little influence the jargon file really has and how easily it can be defeated (and ignored) as soon as economic success counts, read e.g. http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000020.html
See also
Sources
- Snippet from Wikipedia: Jargon File
The Jargon File is a glossary and usage dictionary of slang used by computer programmers. The original Jargon File was a collection of terms from technical cultures such as the MIT AI Lab, the Stanford AI Lab (SAIL) and others of the old ARPANET AI/LISP/PDP-10 communities, including Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Carnegie Mellon University, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. It was published in paperback form in 1983 as The Hacker's Dictionary (edited by Guy Steele), revised in 1991 as The New Hacker's Dictionary (ed. Eric S. Raymond; third edition published 1996).
The concept of the file began with the Tech Model Railroad Club (TMRC) that came out of early TX-0 and PDP-1 hackers in the 1950s, where the term hacker emerged and the ethic, philosophies and some of the nomenclature emerged.
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