VAPORWARE Derogatory term for software (or hardware) that is promised but doesn’t show up, either for not for a very long time or never. Windows 95 was called this by many when it was in the early stages (when it was called Windows 92.) VAXEN Plural for VAX, Virtual Adressing eXtension. Machines made by Digital Equipment Corporation which run VMS THE VILLAGE In the cult 1960s TV show _The Prisoner_, a surreal place where an ex-secret agent is monitored constantly. Sometimes used when referring to the world today and our lack of privacy VINCENT OMNIAVERITUS see STERLING, BRUCE VIRTUAL REALITY A system that completely supersedes the user’s meat experiences; exists in two forms. One is the form that everyone thought would be the next big thing before the Internet in the early 1990s; represented by the bulky equipment with helmets and gloves. William Gibson has said that he believes that this fantasy is "relegated to the museum of futures we're never going to get." The newer, more likely to become interesting form is in VRML, Virtual Reality Modelling Language, which is a 3D replacement for HTML VIRUS A program which duplicates itself. Many viruses are malicious and contain many tricks to make them hard to detect and more destructive; even those which are not overtly destructive are not good to have around because eventually they start messing with the system. Viruses can become immense problems very rapidly, as they copy themselves into other files and disk units, and may take a very long while to make themselves known. Virus authors have obtained cult status in some cases; the underground is currently divided into two schools as far as virii; one thinks that they are lame and pointless and destructive, while the other thinks they are pretty cool. Viruses are activated when either a system is booted up with an infected extension installed, or if a malignant application is opened. [From "virus," the annoying microscopic thing that probably isn’t alive but acts like it when it infects you.] VMB [Voice Mail Box] Used by corporations for voicemail; can be hacked. Definitely not to be confused with Video Music Box, a big boom box kept in a car VMS Operating system used by some corporations; runs on VAX systems VOICE MAIL BOX [VMB] see VMB [Voice Mail Box] VOYAGER (1969-Present) Author of the alt.2600/#hack FAQ and one of the co-editors of _Phrack Magazine_. Member of TNO V.T. see SHIMOMURA, TSUTOMU