That's awesome man, grats on the new box. But, when you say you want to become a hacker (I am assuming that is what you are meaning) are you talking about the guy that breaks into systems for your own personal need/greed (technically called a cracker), or the savvy programmer guy that solves problems and helps people (people will agree with me the real definition of Hacker, the innovative technological savvy guy)

In my personal opinion, becoming a hardcore cracker is a waste of your knowledge and skillset god-given to you. I do understand that knowledge of these skills will ultimatly make you better in your chosen field of security or whatever. What I say though, devote your time to something more profitable to yourself and other people in the long run. Becoming a hardcore cracker will just earn you some comfy cell time, or probation, or some banning from the one technology you love, or a fine, or a combination of all mentioned. Do something worthwhile my friend, or you may regret it as you ponder in your room of steel.