from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
g file
<messaging> (General file) A mid 1980s term for text files,
usually short and unpublished found on {BBSs}. The g-files
section on BBSs contain text files of general interest,
viewable on-line; this is as opposed to files in the file
transfer section, which are generally downloadable but not
viewable on-line.
When used on the {Internet}, this term generally refers to the
types of file most often associated with old BBSs such as
instructions on {phreak}ing or making bombs.
(1996-06-20)