Hacker
In society, the term hacker has been used as both a compliment and a derogatory term. In its original sense, it is used to describe one who is an expert, a problem solver, and generally a brilliant programmer. In the media and in society, however, the term has come to mean criminals who illegally break into computer networks and systems.[1]
Two sides of the Coin
Hackers as criminals
The media have generally painted hackers as computer security criminals. Some proponents of the original meaning of the term "hacker" (knowledge seekers) call these people crackers, to specifically point out these people "crack security."
Hackers as Knowledge Seekers
The original meaning of the term hacker was someone who had great technical knowledge. A hack was something to be proud of, usually described as pushing something beyond its design limits. People who usually "hacked on" certain projects would have descriptive names bestowed upon them, thus someone who wrote a lot of kernel code would come to be called a "kernel hacker," or someone who worked on and was knowledgeable with the Unix operating system would come to be called a "Unix hacker."
Other Uses
MIT Hackers
At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the term "hack" takes on a meaning that is more analogous with a practical joke. In that vein, a hacker is someone (or a group of people), usually students, who conceive and execute a "hack." For example, placing a campus police patrol car on the dome of the MIT building[2] is considered an accomplished hack, both for its technical difficulty and the visual humor it provokes. [3]
Jargon File Definition
The Jargon file describes a hacker as "One who enjoys the intellectual challenge of creatively overcoming or circumventing limitations."[4]
Related Topics
External links
How To Become A Hacker by Eric S. Raymond. Describes how to become a hacker in the "traditional sense" - someone with "technical adeptness and a delight in solving problems and overcoming limits"
References
- ↑ Eric S. Raymond. The Cathedral and the Bazaar: Introduction. Retrieved on 2007-04-18.
- ↑ "MIT Hacks". Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
- ↑ "CP Car on the Great Dome". Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
- ↑ Hacker entry in the "Jargon File". Retrieved on 2007-04-09.