Neep-neep
/neep neep/ [onomatopoeic, from New York SF fandom] One who is fascinated by computers.
Less specific than
hacker, as it need not imply more skill than is required to
boot games on a
personal computer.
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!".
[
Jargon File]