Well, looks like my first post inevitably lead to the second...
In my introductory post, i mentioned that i wanted to learn how to hack or in other words learn common security exploitations and how to continue to find others in order to correct them. This did not seem to go over to well for some reason and illicited way too many negative responses. Though i remember when the word "hacker" didn't mean what it meant in high-budget Hollywood films, but just someone who was apt at computers and programming and the ilk. When i searched for "definition hacker" this is the first site that was on the list and the very first excerpt i took:
"hacker Last modified: February 5, 2002



A slang term for a computer enthusiast, i.e., a person who enjoys learning programming languages and computer systems and can often be considered an expert on the subject(s). Among professional programmers, depending on how it used, the term can be either complimentary or derogatory, although it is developing an increasingly derogatory connotation. The pejorative sense of hacker is becoming more prominent largely because the popular press has coopted the term to refer to individuals who gain unauthorized access to computer systems for the purpose of stealing and corrupting data. Hackers, themselves, maintain that the proper term for such individuals is cracker."

With that in mind, i am just curious as to what everyone elses definition of the word "hacker" is?

(hopefully i don't get flamed too much )