[1] : Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001)

plan file n. unix on systems that support finger, the `.plan' file
   in a user's home directory is displayed when the user is fingered. this
   feature was originally intended to be used to keep potential fingerers
   apprised of one's location and near-future plans, but has been turned
   almost universally to humorous and self-expressive purposes like a sig
   block. see also hacking x for y.

   a recent innovation in plan files has been the introduction of
   "scrolling plan files" which are one-dimensional animations made using
   only the printable ascii character set, carriage return and line feed,
   avoiding terminal specific escape sequences, since the finger command
   will for security reasons; see letterbomb not pass the escape
   character.

   scrolling .plan files have become art forms in miniature, and some
   sites have started competitions to find who can create the longest
   running, funniest, and most original animations. various animation
   characters include:

   centipede:
  mmmmme
  
   lorry/truck:
  oo-op
  
   andalusian video snail:

  _@/
  
   and a compiler asp is available on usenet for producing them. see
   also twirling baton.


see also:
finger sig block hacking x for y letterbomb twirling baton 

[2] : The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03)

plan file
     
         on unix systems that support finger,
        the ".plan" file in a user's home directory is displayed
        when the user is fingered.  this feature was originally
        intended to be used to keep potential fingerers apprised of
        one's location and near-future plans, but has been turned
        almost universally to humorous and self-expressive purposes
        like a sig block.  see also hacking x for y.
     
        a later innovation in plan files was the introduction of
        "scrolling plan files" which are one-dimensional animations
        made using only the printable ascii character set, carriage
        return and line feed, avoiding terminal specific escape
        sequences, since the finger command will for security
        reasons; see letterbomb not pass the escape character.
     
        scrolling .plan files have become art forms in miniature, and
        some sites have started competitions to find who can create
        the longest running, funniest, and most original animations.
        a compiler asp is available on usenet for producing them.
        typical animation components include:
     
         centipede:		 mmmmme
         lorry/truck:		 oo-op
         andalusian video snail: _@/
     
        in the mid-1990s www home pages largely supplanted .plan
        files, providing a much richer forum for the publication of
        personal minutiae and digital creativity.
     
        see also twirling baton.
     
        jargon file
     
        1998-01-16
     
     
see also:
unix finger home directory sig block hacking x for y ascii 
carriage return line feed escape sequences letterbomb escape 
usenet www home pages twirling baton jargon file 

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American Plan, definition of term: American Plan
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