psuvm%eqc@psuvax.UUCP (02/28/84)
<This line is not here... unless you can prove otherwise> HELP!! I have, as an English assignment, the joyous task of writing a definition paper on Hackers. Now don't laugh, I'm serious. I was perfectly willing to define Virtual, but the teacher didn't like that. And so, with this posting to the NET, I am asking all of you creative people out there in NETLAND to post (or send to me via BITNET) all the definitions of what a Hacker is or isn't as you have time to send. I have an idea of what I am going to say, but I feel this word has different meanings to different people and I would like your views. - All responses will be greatly appreciated, and as the saying goes... I will post a summary if response warrants it. - Home Is Where The Computer Is. - Eric EQC@PSUVM.BITNET
aeq@pucc-h (Jeff Sargent) (03/29/84)
I tried to send this by mail, but our Usenet gateway refused to cooperate
(take note, Purdue ECN):
Herewith my definition/discussion of "hacker", in the original sense(s):
A "hacker" is one who is intensely interested in finding out esoteric details
of a computer system -- not necessarily in order to crash it (often the things
such a person learns are actually practically useless), but just for the
sensation of power that comes from knowing things others don't. Frequently,
the term carries a somewhat pejorative connotation; it suggests that the
person is so into the computer that he (it's almost always "he", not "she")
has no interest in, or time for, other humans. (In fact, people may become
hackers because they are socially inept and/or they have poor self-images --
they can relate to computers better than to people, because computers never
deliberately hurt you. As one who came via this route and who still has some
tinge of hackerdom about me, I know whereof I speak.)
It is worthy of note that hackers may actually make rather poor programmers --
though you won't convince THEM of that. Perhaps one might rather say that
they may not fit in too well in a programming organization. (I have known
one case where a hacker-type was hired as a programmer; he held that job
perhaps 2 years before his boss suggested he look for another job....)
--
-- Jeff Sargent
{allegra|ihnp4|decvax|harpo|seismo|ucbvax}!pur-ee!pucc-h:aeq
Have you hugged your junk mail today?jsq@ut-sally.UUCP (John Quarterman) (03/31/84)
From the jargon file maintained at Stanford and MIT via the ARPANET:
HACK n. 1. Originally a quick job that produces what is needed, but
not well. 2. The result of that job. 3. NEAT HACK: A clever
technique. Also, a brilliant practical joke, where neatness is
correlated with cleverness, harmlessness, and surprise value.
Example: the Caltech Rose Bowl card display switch circa 1961.
4. REAL HACK: A crock (occasionally affectionate).
v. 5. With "together", to throw something together so it will work.
6. To bear emotionally or physically. "I can't hack this heat!" 7.
To work on something (typically a program). In specific sense:
"What are you doing?" "I'm hacking TECO." In general sense: "What
do you do around here?" "I hack TECO." (The former is
time-immediate, the latter time-extended.) More generally, "I hack
x" is roughly equivalent to "x is my bag". "I hack solid-state
physics." 8. To pull a prank on. See definition 3 and HACKER (def
#6). 9. v.i. To waste time (as opposed to TOOL). "Watcha up to?"
"Oh, just hacking." 10. HACK UP (ON): To hack, but generally
implies that the result is meanings 1-2. 11. HACK VALUE: Term used
as the reason or motivation for expending effort toward a seemingly
useless goal, the point being that the accomplished goal is a hack.
For example, MacLISP has code to read and print roman numerals,
which was installed purely for hack value.
HAPPY HACKING: A farewell. HOW'S HACKING?: A friendly greeting
among hackers. HACK HACK: A somewhat pointless but friendly
comment, often used as a temporary farewell.
[The word HACK doesn't really have 69 different meanings. In fact,
HACK has only one meaning, an extremely subtle and profound one
which defies articulation. Which connotation a given HACK-token
has depends in similarly profound ways on the context. Similar
comments apply to a couple other hacker jargon items, most notably
RANDOM. - Agre]
HACKER [originally, someone who makes furniture with an axe] n. 1. A
person who enjoys learning the details of programming 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, or who enjoys programming rather than just
theorizing about programming. 3. A person capable of appreciating
hack value (q.v.). 4. A person who is good at programming quickly.
Not everything a hacker produces is a hack. 5. An expert at a
particular program, or one who frequently does work using it or on
it; example: "A SAIL hacker". (Definitions 1 to 5 are correlated,
and people who fit them congregate.) 6. A malicious or inquisitive
meddler who tries to discover information by poking around. Hence
"password hacker", "network hacker".
--
John Quarterman, CS Dept., University of Texas, Austin, Texas
jsq@ut-sally.ARPA, jsq@ut-sally.UUCP, {ihnp4,seismo,ctvax}!ut-sally!jsqtjt@kobold.UUCP (03/31/84)
Another set of definitions for HACK and HACKER can be found in
HoToGAMIT (How to Get Around MIT), given out to freshmen, incoming
graduate students, and other ne'er-do-wells at MIT. This is taken from
edition 6 [1974], but I remember substantially the same phrasing in
earlier editions. I don't know what the current entries are.
Hack - (1) A noun denoting a trick or prank. For example, welding a
streetcar onto the tracks or getting elected UAP [Undergraduate
Association President] are fine hacks. (2) A verb meaning to apply one
self, work hard, try earnestly. Example: A computer hacker. Also
connotes fanaticism. (4) Harrass somebody, whether in fun or
maliciously.
Hacker - (1) One who hacks. (2) One who does a lot of some activity.
e.g. Pinball hacker. See jock.
Jock - (1) An athletic supporter. (2) An athletic supporter. (3)
Someone who does a lot of some activity. Examples: an aero jock, a
computer jock.
--
Tom Teixeira, Massachusetts Computer Corporation. Westford MA
...!{ihnp4,harpo,decvax}!masscomp!tjt (617) 692-6200 x275