neep-neep

/neep neep/ [onomatopoeic, from New York SF fandom] One who is

fascinated by computers. Less specific than hacker, as it

need not imply more skill than is required to boot games

on a personal computer. The derived noun "neeping" applies

specifically to the long conversations about computers that

tend to develop in the corners at most SF-convention parties

(the term "neepery" is also in wide use). Fandom has a

related proverb to the effect that "Hacking is a

conversational black hole!".

[Jargon File]

(1994-11-29)