Serf
A serf is a laborer who is bound to the land. Serfs differ from slaves in that serfs cannot be sold apart from the land which they work.Serfs provided most of the labor in feudal society. Most European countries ended the practice of serfdom in the Middle Ages, but Russia retained the practice until February 19, 1861. Parts of Europe, including much of Scandinavia, never adopted feudal instutions, including serfdom.
Nowadays, serf is more commonly used in context with Microsoft, namely Microserf. This is clearly an anti-Microsoft term, used by individuals who are opposed to the business tactics of Microsoft Inc. The noun Microserf is synonymous with someone who is who voluntary becoming an user of any Microsoft product that uses Activation Wizard technology. This term was coined by Paul Lutus, a scientist/inventor/programmer/jack-of-all-trades.
