USECODE

USECODE is a proposed self-identification code for USENET users.

Posted in October 1984, it predates the Bear Code by over 5 years; however, the Bear Code seems to have been developed independently, and there is no visible evidence of USECODE’s use, and only brief mention of its discussion on net.followup.

I propose a VOLUNTEER standard for all of us to identify ourselves (or at least to give some idea of where we’re coming from) to other USENET readers. An identifying “code” ought to be (in my view) SIMPLE and reasonably SHORT.

Below is a proposed method of codifying ourselves. The final code (USECODE?) will fit on one line (maybe the LAST line?) and could be included as part of the body of a posted article. One clear advantage of this is that it could help each of us avoid problems like responding to 4.2bsd questions with SYSTEM V answers or mailing expert level answers to rank novices.

Gratitude to Wikipedia user grawity for mentioning this code in the Talk:Geek Code Wikipedia page.