Geek Code: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Letters and symbols used by geeks to describe themselves}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2016}}

[[File:Código geek, AA 2012.svg|thumb|upright=1.3|Geek code example, which opens by stating that the user is a Geek of Technical Writing (GTW) who usually wears jeans and a t-shirt (d-@), is of average height and above-average weight (s:+), and is aged between 25 and 29 (a-).]]

[[File:Bloque de código geek (1330560000).svg|thumb|Geek code example]]

The '''Geek Code''', developed in 1993, is a series of letters and symbols used by self-described "[[geek]]s" to inform fellow geeks about their [[personality psychology|personality]], appearance, interests, skills, and opinions. The idea is that everything that makes a geek [[individual]] can be [[Code|encode]]d in a compact format which only other geeks can read. This is deemed to be [[Algorithmic efficiency|efficient]] in some sufficiently geeky manner.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/culturesofcomput00susa |url-access=registration |pages=[https://archive.org/details/culturesofcomput00susa/page/10 10]–2010–20 |title=The cultures of computing |publisher=Wiley |author=Susan Leigh Star |author-link=Susan Leigh Star |year=1995|isbn=9780631192824 }}</ref>

It was once common practice to use a geek code as one's email or Usenet signature, but the last official version of the code was produced in 1996, and it has now largely fallen out of use.<ref name="wapo">{{cite news |last1=Romenesko |first1=James |title=The Code of the Geeks |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1996/05/17/the-code-of-the-geeks/764cb760-d6f4-4ba2-860c-e1d1bcc69919/?noredirect=on |access-date=14 November 2018 |worknewspaper=Washington Post |date=17 May 1996}}</ref><ref name="geekcode"/>

A number of similar codes were developed for other subcultures, such as a Goth Code for the [[Goth subculture]], and the [[Natural Bears Classification System]] for gay men.

==History==

The Geek Code was invented by Robert A. Hayden in 1993 and was defined at geekcode.com.<ref name="geekcode">[{{Cite web |url=http://www.geekcode.com/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=April 9, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228200740/http://www.geekcode.com/ |archive-date=February 28, 2009 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> It was inspired by [[The Natural Bears Classification System|a similar code]] for the [[Bear (gay culture)|bear]] subculture - which in turn was inspired by the [[Yerkes spectral classification scheme|Yerkes spectral classification]] system for describing stars.<ref name="jargon"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/bitwise/2014/08/online_gay_culture_and_soc_motss_how_a_usenet_group_anticipated_how_we_use.2.html|title=The First Gay Space on the Internet|publisher=[[Slate.com]]}}</ref><ref>Unlike the Geek Code, the Yerkes system uses classes, subclasses and peculiarities for categorization. These systems differ in their [[orthogonality]]: the Geek Code is very [[Orthogonal (computing)|orthogonal in the computer science sense]] (where variables may be [[Projection (linear algebra)|projected]] onto [[basis vectors]]), where the Yerkes system is very [[Orthogonality#Taxonomy|orthogonal in the taxonomic sense]] (representing mutually exclusive [[class (computer science)|classes]]).</ref>

==History==

In some parts of the net, it was once common practice to use a geek code as one's email or Usenet [[signature block|signature]]. One of the consequences of being so old in such a fast-moving field is that much of the geek code now looks rather dated, with the [[World Wide Web]] being described as "relatively new and little understood".

The Geek Code was invented by Robert A. Hayden in 1993 and was defined at geekcode.com.<ref name="geekcode">[{{Cite web |url=http://www.geekcode.com/ |title=ArchivedThe Geek copyCode |access-date=April 9, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228200740/http://www.geekcode.com/ |archive-date=February 28, 2009 |url-status=bot: unknowndead }}</ref> It was inspired by [[The Natural Bears Classification System|a similar code]] for the [[Bear (gay culture)|bear]] subculture - which in turn was inspired by the [[Yerkes spectral classification scheme|Yerkes spectral classification]] system for describing stars.<ref name="jargon"/><ref>{{cite webjournal |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/bitwise/2014/08/online_gay_culture_and_soc_motss_how_a_usenet_group_anticipated_how_we_use.2.html|title=The First Gay Space on the Internet|journal=Slate |date=August 20, 2014 |publisher=[[Slate.com]] |last1=Auerbach |first1=David }}</ref><ref>Unlike the Geek Code, the Yerkes system uses classes, subclasses and peculiarities for categorization. These systems differ in their [[orthogonality]]: the Geek Code is very [[Orthogonal (computing)|orthogonal in the computer science sense]] (where variables may be [[Projection (linear algebra)|projected]] onto [[basis vectors]]), where the Yerkes system is very [[Orthogonality#Taxonomy|orthogonal in the taxonomic sense]] (representing mutually exclusive [[class (computer science)|classes]]).</ref>

After a number of updates, the last revision of the code was v3.12, in 1996.<ref>

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==Format==

Geek codes can be written in two formats;<ref name="geekcode"/> either as a simple string:<br>

<nowiki>{{sxhl|GED/J d-- s:++>: a-- C++(++++) ULU++ P+ L++ E---- W+(-) N+++ o+ K+++ w--- O- M+ V-- PS++>$ PE++>$ Y++ PGP++ t- 5+++ X++ R+++>$ tv+ b+ DI+++ D+++ G+++++ e++ h r-- y++**</nowiki> |zeek}}

...or as a "Geek Code Block", a parody of the output produced by the encryption program [[Pretty Good Privacy|PGP]]:<br>

<nowiki>{{sxhl|-----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----

Version: 3.1

GED/J d-- s:++>: a-- C++(++++) ULU++ P+ L++ E---- W+(-) N+++ o+ K+++ w---

O- M+ V-- PS++>$ PE++>$ Y++ PGP++ t- 5+++ X++ R+++>$ tv+ b+ DI+++ D+++

G+++++ e++ h r-- y++**

------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------</nowiki>|pem}}

Note that this latter format has a line specifying the version of Geek Code being used.

(Both these examples use Hayden's own geek code.)<ref name="jargon">{{cite web |title=geek code |url=http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/G/geek-code.html |website=The Jargon File (version 4.4.7) |access-date=16 November 2018}}{{dead link|archive-date=SeptemberAugust 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814154444/http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/G/geek-code.html |url-status=dead 2020}}</ref>

==Encoding==

===Occupation===

The code starts with the letter <code>G</code> (for Geek) followed by the geek's occupation(s): <code>GMU</code> for a geek of [[music]], <code>GCS</code> for a geek of computer science etc. There are 28 occupations that can be represented, but <code>GAT</code> is for geeks that can do anything and everything - and "usually precludes the use of other vocational descriptors".<ref name="geekcode"/>

For geeks with multiple occupations, a slash or slashes are used: <code>GMD/TW</code>, for instance, for a geek of medicine and technical writing.

===Categories===

The Geek Code website contains the complete list of categories, along with all of the special syntax options.<ref>{{cite web|author=Robert Hayden |url=http://www.geekcode.com/ |title=geekcode.com |publisher=geekcode.com |access-date=March 12, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228200740/http://www.geekcode.com/ |archive-date=February 28, 2009}}</ref> The choice of categories (from version 3 onward) reflects what geeks consider important. Categories include appearance, computers, computer-related politics, general politics, computer-related interests, other interests, and lifestyle and [[sexual intercourse|sex]].

There are a number of categories in Geek Code, each represented by a letter. For example, the lower-case letter <code>t</code> represents ''[[Star Trek]]''. The Geek Code's author has this to say about ''Star Trek'':

:"Most geeks have an undeniable love for the ''Star Trek'' television show. Because geek is often synonymous with [[trekkie]], it is important that all geeks list their ''Trek'' rating."

Meanwhile, the lower-case letter <code>r</code> represents [[personal relationship|relationship]]s. Geeks are less associated with relationships than they are with ''Star Trek'', and the Geek Code says this about them:

:"While many geeks are highly successful at having relationships, a good many more are not. Give us the gritty details."

The Geek Code website contains the complete list of categories, along with all of the special syntax options.<ref>{{cite web|author=Robert Hayden |url=http://www.geekcode.com/ |title=geekcode.com |publisher=geekcode.com |access-date=March 12, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228200740/http://www.geekcode.com/ |archive-date=February 28, 2009}}</ref> The choice of categories (from version 3 onward) reflects what geeks consider important. Categories include appearance, computers, computer-related politics, general politics, computer-related interests, other interests, and lifestyle and [[sexual intercourse|sex]].

===Category-specific modifiers===

Although some categories have special syntax, generally each category is followed by a series of <code>+</code> or <code>-</code> signs showing how much the geek agrees or disagrees with the category. For example, <code>t+++</code> indicates a geek who thinks this about Star Trek:

:"I know all about [[warp drive (Star Trek)|warp field dynamics]] and the principles behind the [[transporter (Star Trek)|transporter]]. I have memorized the TECH manual. I speak [[Klingon language|Klingon]]. I go to [[Star Trek convention|cons]] with [[Vulcan (Star Trek)|Vulcan]] ears on."

On the other hand, someone who puts <code>r---</code> in their geek code feels the following way about relationships:

:"I'm beginning to think that I'm a leper or something, the way people avoid me like the plague."

===Modifiers===

The meaning of each category can be changed in subtle or not-so-subtle ways using [[punctuation]] marks as modifiers. For example, an <code>@</code> after a category means that the geek's feelings on this category are not very rigid and can change with time, while a [[dollar]] sign implies the geek is in the enviable position of being paid for their work in this category. A [[greater-than sign]] indicates a "wannabe" rating and means that the person is at a rating indicated before the sign, but wants to reach the one after the sign. A rating in [[Bracket|parentheses]] indicates instability, as does the <code>@</code>, but indicates a specific range rather that the entire rating. The [[asterisk]] modifier exists for some categories, expressing a category-dependent "off-the-charts" value: for example, <code>R*</code> is described as "I thought life WAS role-playing?".

==Decoding==

There have been several '"decoders" produced to transform a specific geek code into English, including:

* Pete Williams' Perl program ''ungeek.pl''.

* [[Bradley M. Kuhn]], in late 1998, made Williams' program available as a web service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ebb.org/ungeek |title=The Geek Code Decoder Page |publisher=Ebb.org |access-date=March 12, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301204113/http://www.ebb.org/ungeek/ |archive-date=March 1, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>The site first appears in the Internet Archive on December 7, 1998 ({{cite web

|author-link=http://www.archive.org/web/web.php

|title=Geek Code Decoder history at the WayBack machine

|publisher=The Internet Archive

Line 88 ⟶ 65:

|access-date=January 5, 2008

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://archive.istoday/20130414153627/http://www.ebb.org/ungeek/

|archive-date=April 14, 2013

|df=mdy

}}).</ref>

* Joe Reiss [http://www.joereiss.net/geek/ungeek.html made a similar page available] in October 1999.<ref>Reference to the site first appears in the Internet Archive on October 7, 1999({{cite web

|author-link = http://www.archive.org/web/web.php

|title = Geek Code Decoder history at the WayBack machine

|publisher = The Internet Archive

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|access-date = October 5, 2016

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://archive.istoday/20161005144259/http://www.joereiss.net/geek/

|archive-date = October 5, 2016

|df = mdy

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==See also==

*[[Leet Speak]]

*[[New SpeakNewspeak]]

*[[The Natural Bears Classification System]]

*[[Signature block]]

''Geek life style''

*''[[Babylon 5]]''

*[[Bookstore]]

*''[[Dilbert]]''

*''[[DOOM]]''

*[[Filmophile]]

*[[Geek girl]]s

*[[Television]]

*[[Role-playing]]

**[[Fantasy role-playing]]

**[[Living history]], historical role-playing

*[[Role-playing games]]

**[[Live action role-playing game]] (LARP)

*''[[Star Trek]]''

*''[[X-Files]]''

==References==

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==External links==

*Robert Hayden's [https://web.archive.org/web/20090228200740/http://www.geekcode.com/ official Geek Code web site] (presenting v3.12)

[[Category:Internet self-classification codes]]

[[Category:Internet culture]]

[[Category:Lifestyle websites]]

[[Category:Nerd culture]]

[[Category:1993 introductions]]