WhatIs

/net-wərk ə-dres/

n. (also 'net address') As used by hackers, means an address on 'the' network (see network, the; this is almost always a bang path or Internet address).

/net-räk/

n. A flame; used esp. on VNET, IBM's internal corporate network.

/net-nyüz/

n. 1. The software that makes USENET run.

2. The content of USENET.

"I read netnews right after my mail most mornings."

/ne-ti-kət/

[portmanteau from "network etiquette"]

n. Conventions of politeness recognized on USENET, such as avoidance of cross-posting to inappropriate groups or refraining from commercial pluggery on the net.

/net-hak/

n. A dungeon game similar to rogue but more elaborate, distributed in C source over USENET and very popular at UNIX sites and on PC-class machines (nethack is probably the most widely distributed of the freeware dungeon games). The earliest versions, written by Jay Fenlason and later considerably enhanced by Andries Brouwer, were simply called 'hack'.

/net pə-ˈlēs/

n. (var. 'net.cops') Those USENET readers who feel it is their responsibility to pounce on and flame any posting which they regard as offensive or in violation of their understanding of netiquette. Generally used sarcastically or pejoratively. Also spelled 'net police'.

See also net-, code police.

/net pər-sə-ˈna-lə-tē/

n. Someone who has made a name for him or herself on USENET, through either longevity or attention-getting posts, but doesn't meet the other requirements of net.god hood.

/net gäd/

n. Used to refer to anyone who satisfies some combination of the following conditions: has been visible on USENET for more than 5 years, ran one of the original backbone sites, moderated an important newsgroup, wrote news software, or knows Gene, Mark, Rick, Mel, Henry, Chuq, and Greg personally.

See demigod.

Net.goddesses such as Rissa or the Slime Sisters have (so far) been distinguished more by personality than by authority.

/net dät/

pref. [USENET]

Prefix used to describe people and events related to USENET. From the time before the Great Renaming, when most non-local newsgroups had names beginning 'net.'. Includes net.gods, 'net.goddesses' (various charismatic net.women with circles of on-line admirers), 'net.lurkers' (see lurker), 'net.person', 'net.parties' (a synonym for boink, sense 2), and many similar constructs.

/nē-ə-fi-lē-ə/

n. The trait of being excited and pleased by novelty. Common trait of most hackers, SF fans, and members of several other connected leading-edge subcultures, including the pro-technology 'Whole Earth' wing of the ecology movement, space activists, many members of Mensa, and the Discordian/neo-pagan underground. All these groups overlap heavily and (where evidence is available) seem to share characteristic hacker tropisms for science fiction, Music and oriental food.