neep-neep

from Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)
neep-neep
 /neep neep/, n.

   [onomatopoeic, widely spread through SF fandom but reported to have
   originated at Caltech in the 1970s] One who is fascinated by
   computers. Less specific than {hacker}, as it need not imply more
   skill than is required to play games on a PC. 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!".
    
from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
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)
    

[email protected]