Re: What is a "hack"?

[mairsil@my-dejanews.com]

In article <36D4693B.4D17F91E@swbell.net>,
  rubywand@swbell.net wrote:
> DougKalley writes ...
> >
> > I find it kind of strange some people try to distance themselves from the
> > "media" usage of hack. It is quite acurate to a sense. Although someone
bangs
> > out passwords is cracking then hence cracker, somebody who patching
> > unix,vms,whatever is a hacker.  I would have to say writing a quick and
dirty
> > packet sniffer, or just figuring out a previously unknown operating system
in
> > hours is a hack...
>  ....
>
>      Agree. The essential idea of a "hack" is accomplishing some specific task
> relatively quickly without benefit of complete, detailed information.
> Consequently, to achieve success, a "hacker" depends upon experience,
> intelligence, and intuition rather than lengthy, in-depth analysis.
>
>      Since a "hack" aims for some specific result with minimum delay, the idea
> of risk comes into the formula. Whatever the particular system-- i.e. a piece
of
> software, computer hardware, an internet site, etc.-- you are entering it
> through a fairly narrow portal. You know that changing something to get what
you
> want may (or will) have negative side-effects.
>
>      A hacker is always evaluating the risk of some patch or workaround and,
> often, applies lower-scope hacks first in order to sample the behavior of the
> system which is being hacked. In many ways, hacking is similar to playing a
> musical instrument by ear.

The thing is, in the news, movies, etc. they portray hackers as punk kids who
get their jollies illegally breaking into other people's computers. Thanks to
this, common people don't see hackers the same way as you and me.



Ralph Glatt

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