samizdat

3 definitions found

samizdat - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  samizdat
      n 1: a system of clandestine printing and distribution of
           dissident or banned literature [syn: samizdat,
           underground press]

samizdat - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  samizdat
  
     <publication> (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)
  

samizdat - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  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.