Re: Gremlins

Martin Owen (mowen who-is-at rem.bangor.ac.uk)
Fri, 01 Oct 1999 10:56:03 +0100

I've learned how to use the word "gremlin" here but don't know exactly why
it's different than other viruses such as "trojans".

Any help?

Paul H. Dillon

Gremlin in its application to technology pre-dates trojans and viruses. It
has been applied to technological systems in military circles since WWII
for sure. There is a perception of unaccountability in the term "gremlin",
whereas trojans and viruses have assured human origins.

One of the most interesting uses of the "Trojan" metaphor came from Judah
Schwarz (Harvard)...the notion of a trojan mouse. The use of new
technology to introduce alternative visions of teaching nto schools.

Martin