Subj : Re: Linux Security News Roundup (incorrectly posted before as Linux Advisory Roundup, which is different)
To   : comp.os.linux.security,comp.os.linux.admin,comp.os.linux.misc,comp.os.linux
From : Juhan Leemet
Date : Thu Jul 22 2004 07:36 pm

On Thu, 22 Jul 2004 09:12:26 -0700, DaveAI wrote:
> This newsletter contains...
> 
> * Pssst--wanna buy some source code?
> July 15th, 2004
> 
> A group of self-identified hackers has set up shop online to sell what
> it claims are files containing confidential software code--and it says
> it's ready to take orders for more.

GRRRR!!!! These guys are "CRACKERS" (as in safe-crackers, breaking and
entering, theft, etc.) and not "hackers". I really get steamed when the
media take perfectly good words, get them wrong, then hype the hell out of
them and spin all kinds of stories in their fantasy worlds.

The term "hacker" comes from way back, about 30+ years ago? and was
defined IIRC in the "MIT Hackers' Dictionary" (jargon file). These guys
were originally a model railroading club, which became interested in relay
logic, and then progressed to a fascination and facility with computers.

The best definition I've seen is:

"A hacker is someone who makes furniture with an axe."

That sums up the spirit or animus of "hacking" in the most accurate way.
It was also self-deprecating humour, often used by system wizards when
they weren't particularly proud of their workarounds and quick fixes.

"A cracker...." is something altogether different.

....or is everybody soon going to be just "like, a guy"?

-- 
Juhan Leemet
Logicognosis, Inc.

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