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 or console. 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!.
