1. [Unix] Ken Thompson, principal inventor of Unix. In the early
days he used to hand-cut distribution tapes, often with a note that read
Love, ken
. Old-timers still use his first name (sometimes
uncapitalized, because it's a login name and mail address) in third-person
reference; it is widely understood (on Usenet, in particular) that without
a last name ‘Ken’ refers only to Ken Thompson. Similarly,
‘Dennis’ without last name means Dennis Ritchie (and he is
often known as dmr). See also
demigod, Unix.
2. A flaming user. This was originated by the Software Support group at Symbolics because the two greatest flamers in the user community were both named Ken.