# Geek help urgently needed! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 8, 2005, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geek-help-urgently-needed/316163 "2005-08-08T19:28:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geek-help-urgently-needed/316163/1 "2005-08-08T19:28:51Z")
I have to clue “host computer.” What the hell is a host computer? TIA. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geek-help-urgently-needed/316163/2 "2005-08-08T19:32:00Z")
I think I know what it means, but it’s not the usual way I’d hear it expressed… a host is a server - this can be used in a couple ways. For example, while playing one of those Doom-style games, one player can have his computer act as the server or “host” for the game, that the others connect to. Similarly, a common error message is ‘no route to host’ - you might see this if your internet connection is busted - meaning there’s no way for your computer to get to the server its looking for. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geek-help-urgently-needed/316163/3 "2005-08-08T19:35:29Z")
so – “Server’s kin” or “Server of a sort” would work? ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geek-help-urgently-needed/316163/4 "2005-08-08T19:53:00Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > so – “Server’s kin” or “Server of a sort” would work? Unless there’s some hidden slang of which I am unaware, sure. I’m just really puzzled as to why it’s “host computer” and not “host (computer)” … maybe I should google that usage… ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geek-help-urgently-needed/316163/5 "2005-08-08T20:00:42Z")
It’s a crossword puzzle entry. Yes, it sucks. No, there’s nothing I can do about it. Thanks for your help! ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geek-help-urgently-needed/316163/6 "2005-08-08T20:04:11Z")
Not a problem. I’d definitely go with ‘server of a sort’ over ‘server’s kin’ - it IS a server. Of a sort. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geek-help-urgently-needed/316163/7 "2005-08-08T20:09:03Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > Not a problem. I’d definitely go with ‘server of a sort’ over ‘server’s kin’ - it IS a server. Of a sort. Will do! Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geek-help-urgently-needed/316163/8 "2005-08-08T20:29:48Z")
“serving system” was the first thing that popped into my head ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geek-help-urgently-needed/316163/9 "2005-08-08T21:06:39Z")
How about “serving machine”?