/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.
Compare
boink.