"Many people equate the word "daemon" with the word "demon", implying some kind of satanic connection between UNIX and the underworld. This is an egregious misunderstanding. "Daemon" is actually a much older form of "demon"; daemons have no particular bias towards good or evil, but rather serve to help define a person's character or personality. The ancient Greeks' concept of a "personal daemon" was similar to the modern concept of a "guardian angel"—eudaemonia is the state of being helped or protected by a kindly spirit. As a rule, UNIX systems seem to be infested with both daemons and demons."
that naming convention might turn out to be more prescient than people thought. Can't wait until my Catholic school education pays off and I chant at my computer in Latin
Linux actually got the "demons" right: those manifest as usually hidden activity in someone's brain, and in special circumstances can take control over the entire system (e.g. with a deadlock if it's a neutral demon, or by other means if it's malicious). Those Greek daemons, in contrast, never possess or control anyone: they may inspire, but only if the subject is consciously seeking such inspiration ("the gates must be opened from within").
that naming convention might turn out to be more prescient than people thought. Can't wait until my Catholic school education pays off and I chant at my computer in Latin