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samizdat |
2 definitions found From Jargon File (4.2.3, 23 NOV 2000) [jargon]: 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. From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (13 Mar 01) [foldoc]: samizdat(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)
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