What is "segfault"

n. (context computing Unix English) A segmentation fault. vb. (context computing Unix intransitive English) To cause or experience a segmentation fault.

Segfault (1998–2001) was a popular humor website that posted fake news reports on hacker-related topics on a near-daily basis. The range of topics was approximately the same as that covered and regularly discussed on the Slashdot — including free software, Internet phenomena, computer programming, and technology in general. The name "segfault" refers to the segmentation fault, a computer software error.

Most stories were written and submitted by the site's readers. The site itself was run by Scott James Remnant, who later went on to work on Ubuntu and Chrome OS, and Leonard Richardson. One famous name in the contributor list is Peter Norvig, who submitted the story "Songwriters, Publishers Sue Themselves".

In late 2001, the site shut down after losing its web server. Attempts to relocate the site to a new host failed, as it turned out that the database containing all the stories had been lost and that there were no backups available. The segfault.org domain has subsequently shown messages about the site's status; some have indicated a resurrection attempt being in progress, but nothing appears to have happened.

Some of the content has been recovered and is available via the Internet Archive.