Hugo Cornwall's book "The Hacker's Handbook" has a good definition of a Hacker:
"Computer enthusiast who attempts unauthorized entry into computers and explores it's contents." (not exact quote)
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Mahakaal:
Sorry allen, but I have to disagree. In my mind hackers are defined as:
People who learn! People who's whole life revolvs around the search for ultimate wisdom! Hacking doesn't necesaraly have to do with computers!
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smirc:
I've always seen hacking as the never ending quest for knowledge. How you apply that knowledge is up to you.
I don't agree with Mahakaal nor smirc. Hacker must be a term related to computers (which involves the problem solving skills that come with it, such as overcoming obstacles with maths and code, etc).
The word Hacker has always been associated with computers and I personally don't think it should cross over to other fields. Don't you find it strange to say "Mr. Smith is a Astronomy hacker/Botanics hacker/Chef hacker..." Sounds strange.
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souleman:
Hats have nothing to do with it. Hacking is a state of mind. It doesn't matter if you are doing good things or bad, its the fact that you are doing something.
Hacking is not a state of mind, that's ethics. Doing something doesn't make you a Hacker, the whole purpose and obtaining the title of Hacker is if you are able to "hack a computer". Even script kiddies are Hackers (they gain unauthorized access to other people's computers).
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LefthandedBoy:
Hey Everybody,
I think that the old "Hacker Ethic" is pretty much lost. I think that some hckers are in it for the bucks. Cloaking their identities to be able to send spam emails, gain information on companies and people and use this for their own benefit. Mabey I am pessimistic regarding this issue but my experiences with hackers has never been pleasent. It is my hope that there are still some hungry only for the quest for knowledge but I think it is rare on a larger scale. What do yall think.
I don't think the old Hacker Ethic is lost. Every computer enthusiast that has attempted and has been successful in making unauthorized access into a computer (whether PC, school, etc) is already a Hacker. The only difference is the ethics of the Hacker that makes for divisions on so called "good" and "bad".
The "good" Hacker doesn't abuse his skills for personal gain in relation to money/revenge/showing off objectives. The "bad" Hacker is the complete opposite.
Ennis has wrote a good piece of FAQ on the divisions/types/categories of Hackers The Ultimate Newbie FAQ!
N.B. I'm not an expert on computers nor a Hacker. Don't flame me!