Got Root?

I figure I need to explain what the heck my "Got Root?" shirt is all about. Some of you may get it right away, but most will probably not. Plus, I have found there is an unintended double entendre for those from "down under".

First off, it's a nod towards the old 80's commercials of "Got Milk?".
Secondly, it's a techie (and hacker) joke in reference to "root" user. This is the administrator account on a computer system, usually a UNIX type (UNIX/AIX/HPUX, Solaris, Linux, Net/Free/Open BSD, etc.).

What I found out a few months ago, was that in Australia, these shirts have caught on for a completely different reason than oddball tech/geek humor.

Apparently "root" is more a reference to "a roll in hay" so to speak, So these shirts are now selling like hot cakes for a completely different reason than they were originally created for. Which, for anyone who knows the old school "hacker" and 2600 mentality (before the media perverted the term to be synonymous with computer criminal), which is trying to understand how things work and finding new uses for, and way to modify, technologies (also for "hacking" away at code to optimize it in the old PDP and mainframe days). So in a way an apropo irony that this "technical shirt" has found a new "use". Maybe I'm the only one who really appreciates that added twist?

Now just to be clear, I bought (and wear) the shirt because of the second (technical) reason. But the third certainly adds as a conversation piece.

Admittedly, I am now a little sheepish about wearing it sometimes (especially at work, though I do it anyway) in public, for fear I might cause someone visiting from Australia, with their child, to suddenly gasp in horror and dismay, and cover their child's eyes.

But then again, maybe I'm being overly imaginative there? And of course, most of the Aussies I've met are no where near as prudish as we tend to be in the "states".

;-P

Cheers!