The Hacker Manifesto

[Joe]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker_Manifesto

I'm sure most of you have read it before, but I came upon it last night and it was a quick interesting read that pretty much sums it up. I'd call it the Cracker Manifesto though, but still..

[topaz~]

You don't understand it if you think it should be the Cracker Manifesto.

[while1]

You don't understand it if you think it should be the Cracker Manifesto.

Agreed.  I don't even see how you would come to the conclusion that it pertains more to a cracker...

[rabbit]

God dammit, Joe...

[Joe]

Wait, fuck, I'm totally an idiot. I mixed up Hacker vs Cracker due to lack of sleep. I thought crackers were the good guys and hackers were the bad guys.

So yeah, the hacker manifesto is totally right. Sorry.

God dammit, Joe...

Nice post.

[while1]

Wait, fuck, I'm totally an idiot. I mixed up Hacker vs Cracker due to lack of sleep. I thought crackers were the good guys and hackers were the bad guys.

Huh... I don't think you understand the term 'cracker'- someone who engages in cracking (software or hardware).  Sure crackers are usually thought of more of as 'bad guys', but hackers can also be 'good guys' and 'bad guys' or both.  i.e. white hat, black hat, grey hat.

My understanding of a 'cracker' is could be wrong though.

The Hacker's Manifesto doesn't necessarily pertain to a single kind of hacker, but all of them, whether black hat, white hat, or grey hat.

Being a being a bad guy or good guy has nothing to do with it.

[rabbit]

The main difference is that crackers actively engage in breaking the law for the sake of breaking the law.  Hackers don't.

[iago]

The definitions have become all mixed up due to media attention.

But the basic definition (hackers are good guys, crackers are bad) is as accurate as it's getting. But it's hardly a meaningful distinction anymore.

[Rule]

I've had this discussion many times, and it's always boring, pedantic, and irritating.  I'm sick of idiots trying to elevate themselves through bullshit issues like this. (e.g. hacker vs cracker)

[rabbit]

I've had this discussion many times, and it's always boring, pedantic, and irritating.  I'm sick of idiots trying to elevate themselves through bullshit issues like this. (e.g. hacker vs cracker)

To answer your question, yes, I am awesome.

[iago]

I've had this discussion many times, and it's always boring, pedantic, and irritating.  I'm sick of idiots trying to elevate themselves through bullshit issues like this. (e.g. hacker vs cracker)

It may be boring and pedantic, but it's also a pretty important distinction. For example, I am most definitely a hacker, but I'm also definitely not a cracker.

I think I prefer the terms white/grey/blackhat, though. It's much clearer.

[Ender]

joe we still need to work on your table manners

[Rule]

I've had this discussion many times, and it's always boring, pedantic, and irritating.  I'm sick of idiots trying to elevate themselves through bullshit issues like this. (e.g. hacker vs cracker)

It may be boring and pedantic, but it's also a pretty important distinction. For example, I am most definitely a hacker, but I'm also definitely not a cracker.

I think I prefer the terms white/grey/blackhat, though. It's much clearer.

Insecure pseudo-intellectual jerks -- the types that thrive on IRC -- love these sorts of arguments.  It's an easy way to win a fight and assert your superiority.  It doesn't take much for the people who make a fuss to know the supposed original usages.  And the terminology is commonly used interchangeably, so the opportunity to 'catch someone out' frequently arises.  The meaning of a word like this usually derives from how it is used.  If 99.9% of people think of hacker as a general term (that would include crackers), then that is the effective definition of that word.   It's also important to be able to distinguish between being homosexual and being happy.  That doesn't mean the correct route is to chastise people who use gay to mean homosexual.

[Joe]

Rule, I'm not sure where the argument started here. We discussed it politely and you came in and said "man, get over yourself and quit arguing, you boring, pedantic, and irritating idiots.

[Rule]

Rule, I'm not sure where the argument started here. We discussed it politely and you came in and said "man, get over yourself and quit arguing, you boring, pedantic, and irritating idiots.

Don't misquote me.  It makes you look stupid when my post is on the same page.  Also there is no argument.