Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

g file
     
         (General file) A mid 1980s term for text files,
        usually short and unpublished found on {BBS}s.  The g-files
        section on BBSs contain text files of general interest,
        viewable on-line; this is as opposed to files in the file
        transfer section, which are generally downloadable but not
        viewable on-line.
     
        When used on the {Internet}, this term generally refers to the
        types of file most often associated with old BBSs such as
        instructions on {phreak}ing or making bombs.
     
        (1996-06-20)