Spod

Spod refers to an avid user of Internet talkers, a type of online chat system. Less frequently, it may be applied to those who use MUDs as if they were talkers. The spod tends to be something of a long-term fanatic, and many have been using the same talker for a decade or more.[1] Talkers are related to MUDs,[2] but are significantly easier to run, since they do not incorporate gameplay features, and they are usually much more user friendly.[3]

The term is sometimes heavily derogatory,[4] but is often used proudly, reclaiming the word.

References

  1. ^ Raymond, Eric S.; et al. "Spod". The Jargon File. http://www.catb.org/esr/jargon/html/S/spod.html. Retrieved 2006-03-07. 
  2. ^ Ito, Mizuko (1997). "Virtually Embodied: The Reality of Fantasy in a Multi-User Dungeon". In Porter, David. Internet Culture (pbk. ed.). Routledge. pp. 89–90. ISBN 0-415-91684-4. "These combat-oriented MUDs stand in contrast to non-gaming "talker" MUDs or educational or professional MUDs." 
  3. ^ Hahn, Harley (1996). The Internet Complete Reference (2nd ed.). Osborne McGraw-Hill. pp. 498. ISBN 0-07-882138-X. "A TALKER is a multiuser talk facility that is easy to use and is devoted primarily to conversation. You connect to a talker by using telnet [...] The word "talker" is a descriptive term. For example, some talkers are muds, while others are BBSs; there is no strict definition. If it's easy to use, and you connect in order to talk to other people, it is a talker." 
  4. ^ Jansen, Erin (2006). NetLingo: The Internet Dictionary. Netlingo Inc.. pp. 361. ISBN 0970639678. "spod A derogatory term used to describe a lower form of life found on talker systems and MUDs. The spod has few friends IRL [...]" 

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