The small size of Usenet in its youthful days, and Spencer's early involvement, made him a well-recognised participant; this is commemorated in Vernor Vinge's 1992 novel A Fire Upon the Deep. The novel featured an interstellar communications medium remarkably similar to Usenet, down to the author including spurious message headers; one of the characters who appeared solely through postings to this was modeled on Spencer (and, slightly obliquely, named for him).
The small size of Usenet in its youthful days, and Spencer's early involvement, made him a well-re.cognised participant; this is commemorated in Vernor Vinge's 1992 novel A Fire Upon the Deep The nove,l featured an interstellar communications medium remarkably similar to Usenet, down to the .author including spurious message headers; one of the characters who appeared solely through postings to this was modeled on Spencer (and, slightly obliquely named for him)