Difinition confirmation (please read)...

From: Mike Ford <mikeford_at_netwiz.net>
Date: Wed Aug 4 05:58:40 1999

>On Wed, 04 Aug 1999, Jason (the General) wrote:
>>Here's my definition: "One who adapts an existing piece of computer (or
>>other type) of hardware to suit one's needs or to improve it without
>>instruction from the original manufacturer."

AFAIK hacker comes from the journalism term "hack" writer. Basically a
person who just sits down and starts banging keys without a plan etc. A non
professional, even if they do have a fair amount of talent.

Something of an insult, which I think just carried over to calling any type
of computer misfit a hacker.

Crackers were people who cracked the software protection on a product,
often then uploading the "cracked" version with a splash page showing their
"name" to pirate BBSs.

Phreakers did stuff with the phones.
Received on Wed Aug 04 1999 - 05:58:40 BST

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