samizdat

samizdat
    n 1: a system of clandestine printing and distribution of
         dissident or banned literature [syn: {samizdat},
         {underground press}]
    

samizdat
 /sahm.iz.daht/, n.

   [Russian, literally "self publishing"] The process of disseminating
   documentation via underground channels. Originally referred to
   underground duplication and distribution of banned books in the Soviet
   Union; now refers by obvious extension to any less-than-official
   promulgation of textual material, esp. rare, obsolete, or
   never-formally-published computer documentation. Samizdat is obviously
   much easier when one has access to high-bandwidth networks and
   high-quality laser printers. Note that samizdat is properly used only
   with respect to documents which contain needed information (see also
   {hacker ethic}) but which are for some reason otherwise unavailable,
   but not in the context of documents which are available through normal
   channels, for which unauthorized duplication would be unethical
   copyright violation. See {Lions Book} for a historical example.
    

samizdat

   <publication> (Russian, literally "self publishing") The
   process of disseminating documentation via underground
   channels.  Originally referred to photocopy duplication and
   distribution of banned books in the former Soviet Union; now
   refers by obvious extension to any less-than-official
   promulgation of textual material, especially rare, obsolete,
   or never-formally-published computer documentation.  Samizdat
   is obviously much easier when one has access to
   high-{bandwidth} {networks} and high-quality {laser printers}.

   Strictly, "samizdat" only applies to distribution of needed
   documents that are otherwise unavailable, and not to
   duplication of material that is available for sale under
   {copyright}.

   See {Lions Book} for a historical example.

   See also: {hacker ethic}.

   [{Jargon File}]

   (2000-03-23)