Geek code

Il geek code è un codice sintetico formato da lettere e simboli usato dai geek per descrivere la loro personalità, il loro aspetto, gli interessi, alcune opinioni generali. Il concetto alla base del codice presuppone che qualunque cosa faccia di un geek un individuo unico possa essere scritto in questa forma sintetica. In seguito, altri geek possono leggere il codice e avere un'idea della persona descritta.

Un tempo il geek code era usato abitualmente nelle firme dei messaggi su Internet, ma questa usanza si è spenta come una moda passeggera, come uno dei tanti progetti non più aggiornati nel campo in costante movimento delle tecnologie informatiche e del World Wide Web in particolare. Creare il proprio geek code è un po' come rimpiangere i bei tempi passati. Il codice può essere usato ovunque: nelle e-mail, sui siti web, sui newsgroup, nell'arte, all'interno dei commenti di un software e addirittura sulle magliette. In ogni caso, il luogo più comune sono i siti web.

Il geek code è stato inventato da Robert Hayden nel 1993 ed è definito sul sito geekcode.com.

Esempio

Il geek code di Robert Hayden:

-----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
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------

Formato

La scritta "geek code block" all'inizio e alla fine del codice è una parodia delle scritte equivalenti definite dal programma di crittografia Pretty Good Privacy. All'interno di ogni geek block una linea specifica la versione del codice usata. La riga seguente

The Geek Code Block formatting, which is optional (though not in Robert Hayden's opinion), is a parody of the output produced by the encryption program PGP. Within the Geek Code Block there is a line specifying the version of Geek Code being used. The next line starts with the letter G (for Geek) followed by the Geek's occupation(s): GMU for a geek of music. Then we get into the geek code proper. For geeks with multiple occupations, a slash or slashes is or are used: GMD/TW, for instance, for a geek of medicine and technical writing. There are 24 occupations that can be represented and 4 special indicators:

• GO - Geek of other, for occupations that can't be represented normally.
• GU - Geek of undecided.
• G! - Geek of no qualifications.
• GAT - Geek of all trades, for those who can do anything.

Categorie

There are a number of letters in the geek code, each of which represent a category. So, the lower-case letter t 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 r represents relationships. 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 geekcode website at geekcode.com contains the complete list of categories, along with all the special syntax options. The choice of categories (from version 3 onwards) reflects what geeks consider important. Appearance takes up three categories, computers - thirteen, computer-related politics - two, general politics - two, computer-related interests - six, other interests - three, lifestyle and sex - four.

Modificatori specifici delle categorie

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

"I know all about warp field dynamics and the principles behind the transporter. I have memorized the TECH manual. I speak Klingon. I go to cons with Vulcan ears on."

On the other hand, someone who puts r--- 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."

Modificatori

The meaning of each category can be changed in subtle or not-so-subtle ways using punctuation marks as modifiers. For example, an @ 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.

Decodificare il geek code

Of course the only real way to read or write Geek Code is by hand. Some mortals feel they have more important things in their life, like changing that r--- to a happier state, so Joe Reiss wrote an Ungeeker for us to use. There is a similar program by Pete Williams available.

Collegamenti esterni

• http://www.geekcode.com/ - sito ufficiale
• http://www.joereiss.net/geek/geek.html - generatore automatico di geek code
• http://www.ebb.org/ungeek/ - decodificatore di geek code