By adding a name to the "to:" reply box, the post turns up in that person's list of "Pings," alerting them to the message sent.
It's a way to alert another member of a certain thread or post.
As for its origin, I can only suspect it is from "Hunt for Red October," when Ryan is communicating with Ramius via morse code and tells Ramius to reply with a sonar ping:
Captain Ramius: Re-verify our range to target... one ping only.
Capt. Vasili Borodin: Captain, I - I - I just...
Captain Ramius: Give me a ping, Vasili. One ping only, please.
Capt. Vasili Borodin: Aye, Captain.
Ping delivers Chinese food to Jerry Seinfeld's apartment.
Perhaps the question you should ask is; what is the difference between a ping and a bump? ;)
Yes, maineman. If you want to know about certain topics of interests you can be added to a list (ping list) and you will be given posts of such interests. Daily Rush Limbaugh is one, Daily press briefings another. Hannity, even "24". Its up to you to sign up to those who will happily ping you. I get lots of middle east news that I might miss otherwise. It shows up directly to you on your list.
I have a feeling you are going to regret posting this thread!
Maineman,
Don't mind all those people teasing you... it's only in fun and FReepers love to tease goodnaturedly (unless you are a troll). Assuming that you are not a troll but just a newbie, here's your answer:
If you are logged in, you can click on the "ping" link in your login menu and see links to all the posts you have made or to posts that people have made in answer to your posts. That gives you a handy way of finding your past posts or knowing when someone answers you. Unlike some other forums, nothing comes to your email box, you just have to keep checking your ping list.
Another use for pings is that it is a way for FReepers to point out good articles or posts to friends. A FReeper can amass a "ping list" or a list of other FReepers who have asked to be on their list.... then when they want to announce something or point to something, they do a post to all the names on their "ping list". That post will then show up in your pings if you are on the list because someone has put your name on the post. Many ping lists are set up by subject matter.... for instance you can be on a "UFO ping list" , the FReeper who has that list will alert you to posts about UFOs.
Hope this helps.... HAPPY PINGING
Perhaps one of you can comment.
Let me tune my beeber to stune.
PING is a new game where you release 100 liberals in the swamp and the conservative hunters compete to see who can tag and bag the most.
