tankdilla's Journal: Hackers

Ya know, the media and world has warped the word "hacker" into a bad word referring to a person that breaks into computers for nefarious activities. The IT community knows a hacker as someone skilled in computers that comes up with a "hack" as a clever way to accomplish a desired task (not illegal). But really, why can't we just let the world have the word "hacker" and just come up with another title. Because when it comes down to titles, who is really going to go around calling themselves a hacker, knowing the negative connotation associated with the title. And who is going to really take the time to care if someone calling him/herself a hacker is a computer professional with ethics or a person looking to break into their computer and steal info.

Some would ask why should we change, why can't the rest of the world change and realize the difference between a hacker and a cracker. That's just not going to happen, at least not in this lifetime. Maybe if someone saves the world and proclaims him/herself a hacker, then the world will start to change their concept of hacker = bad. But for now, that's just how it is. There should be some other title for a truly skilled computer professional and get rid of the duality of good hacker/bad hacker.

IMHO....

[tenman]

maybe we should shuck the term hacker all together... it's a bit dubious to prepend "white hat" when explaining to someone your ultimate goals with thier system(s). Maybe it's time we conceide the battle for the term hacker, and mold a new moniker. Good JE though...