event /at'par-tee/ (Or "@-sign party" /at'si:n par'tee/,

from the @ sign in an electronic mail address) A

semi-closed party thrown for hackers at a science-fiction

convention (especially the annual Worldcon); one must have an

electronic mail address to get in, or at least be in company

with someone who does. One of the most reliable opportunities

for hackers to meet face-to-face with people who might

otherwise be represented by mere phosphor dots on their

screens.