The Blue Nowhere

GLOSSARY
    Bot (from robot): A software program that, operating on its own, assists users or other programs. Also referred to as an agent.
    Bug: An error in software that prevents or interferes with the operation of the program.
    CCU: The Computer Crimes Unit of the California State Police.
    Chip-jock: A computer industry worker who specializes in hardware development or sales.
    Civilians: Those individuals not involved in the computer industry.
    Code: Software.
    Code cruncher: An unimaginative software programmer who performs simple or mundane programming tasks.
    Codeslinger: A talented software programmer whose work is considered innovative. Also referred to as a samurai.
    Crack: To illicitly break into a computer, usually to steal or destroy data or prevent others from using the system.
    Demon (or daemon): An unobtrusive, often hidden, software program that isn’t specifically activated by a user command but that operates autonomously. It usually becomes active when certain conditions within the computer or network where it resides occur.
    Firewall: A computer security system that prevents unwanted data from entering the computer it’s intended to guard.
    Freeware: Software made available by its developers at no charge.
    Guru: A brilliant computer expert, a wizard.
    Hack: Originally this word meant to quickly write a software program for a limited purpose though it evolved to mean the study and writing of innovative software programs. Increasingly the term is used by civilians to mean breaking into computer systems for malicious purposes—a practice more properly referred to as cracking. The word is also used as a noun to mean a clever piece of programming.
    ICQ (I seek you): A subnetwork of the Internet similar to the IRC but devoted to private conversations. Similar to instant messaging.
    IRC (Internet Relay Chat): A popular subnetwork of the Internet, in which a number of participants can have real-time conversations in online chat rooms devoted to specific interests.
    .jpg (or .jpeg, for joint photographers experts group): A format for digitizing, compressing and storing pictures on computers. Pictures in such formats are designated by the extension .jpg after the file name.
    Kludge: A quickly written, often improvised, software program that serves a particular purpose, usually intended to fix a bug or remedy some other setback in computer operations.
    Machine: A computer.
    MUD (multiuser domain, multiuser dimension or multiuser dungeons): A subnetwork related to the IRC in which participants play real-time games or engage in simulated activities.
    MUDhead: One who participates in MUDs.
    Packet: A small string of digitized data. All information transmitted over the Internet—e-mail, text, music, pictures, graphics, sounds—is broken down into packets, which are then reassembled at the recipient’s end into usable form.
    Packet-Sniffer: A program loaded on a computer router, server or individual computer to divert packets to a third party’s computer, usually for the purpose of illicitly reading a user’s messages or learning passcodes and other information.
    Phishing: Searching the Internet for information about someone.
    Phreak: To break into telephone systems primarily for the purpose of placing free calls, eavesdropping or disrupting service. The word is also used to describe one who engages in this practice.
    Root: In the Unix operating system the word refers to the sysadmin or other individual in charge of a computer or network. It can also describe that control itself, as in “seizing root,” which means taking over a computer or network.
    Router: A computer that directs packets through the Internet to their desired destination.
    Script: Software.
    Server: A large, fast computer on a network—such as the Internet—on which are stored data, Web sites and files, which users can access.
    Shareware: Software made available by its developers at a nominal charge or for limited uses.
    Source Code: The form in which a programmer writes software, using letters, numbers and typographic symbols in one of a number of programming languages. The source code is then converted into machine code, which is what actually runs on the computer. The source code is usually kept secret and is highly guarded by its developer or owner.
    Sysadmin (for systems administrator): The individual in charge of the computer operation and/or network for an organization.
    Unix: A sophisticated computer operating system, like