Hacker*
1. A person who enjoys exploring the details of
programmable systems and how to stretch their capabilities, as opposed to most users, who
prefer to learn only the minimum necessary.
2. One who programs enthusiastically (even obsessively) or who enjoys programming rather
than just theorizing about programming.
3. Aperson capable of appreciating hack value.
4. A person who is good at programming quickly.
5. An expert at a particular program,or one who frequently does work using it or on it; as
in `a Unix hacker'. (Definitions 1 through 5 are correlated, and people who fit them
congregate.
6. An expert or enthusiast of any kind. One might be an astronomy hacker, for example.
7. One who enjoys the intellectual challenge of creatively overcoming or circumventing
limitations.
8. [deprecated] A malicious meddler who tries to discover sensitive information by poking
around. Hence `password hacker', `network hacker'. The correct term for this sense is
'cracker'.
The term `hacker' also tends to connote membership in the global community defined by the
net . It also implies that the person described is seen to subscribe to some version of
the hacker ethic (see hacker ethic). It is better to be described as a hacker by
others than to describe oneself that way. Hackers consider themselves something of an
elite (a meritocracy based on ability), though one to which new members are gladly
welcome. There is thus a certain ego satisfaction to be had in identifying yourself as a
hacker (but if you claim to be one and are not, you'll quickly be labeled a lamer).
*This portion of "The Truth" copied from Hackerz.com
Hacker, the term seems to strike fear in the hearts of anyone concerned with computer security. Why?
Because the term has been misused since it came into existence. It's commonly used to describe
crackers, who break into a computer system with the specific intention to destroy. True hackers on
the other hand are curiousity fiends. They seek knowledge alone, and never have the intention to
destroy.
The truth is that if you want to hack just to destroy, then you are not a hacker, you are a cracker.
If you want to hack to prove it can be done, to gain knowledge that would be free if not hoarded by
stupid buracrats, then you are a hacker. Learn the hacker code of ethics, if you're not willing to
follow it, then you're not a hacker.
This is really just to clear up some things that may have been misunderstood as a result of my story,
more is described in the Author's Note
For more visit Hackers.com
