Re: What is a "hack"?

[Nick <n_marx@ix.netcom.com>]

Hack, like so many other computer terms, is an overloaded word.  I believe it
originated exactly as you say, where people would attempt to guess passwords
to get access to secure systems.  Guessing over and over and 'chopping' at the
password, eventually spawned the word hack and the related hacker.

Hack is used today, more often to describe the activity one undertakes when
modifying a computer program for one reason or another. Perhaps to remove copy
protection, or maybe to change or customize some aspect of the program's
appearance or functionality... Possibly even to correct a bug.  In essence,
hacking a program apart.

Speaking of computer words...  am I the only one who is bothered by words
created for the sole purpose of creating corporate "buzzwords"?  The most
troubling to me are the two terms:  "Intranet" and the even more absurd
"Extranet".  Its all INTERNET no matter how you look at it!!!  Dammit,
corporate america!!!!  (then again they pay my bills ;-)



Geraldine Wright wrote:

> I don't mean to sound stupid, but...
>
> At one time I thought a hack was an attempt to illegally access a computer
> network which you were not authorized to be on. Now I see it used to
> describe software, but I'm not quite sure what is wrong with the software
> that it's used to describe.
> --
> ---------------------------------------
> Geraldine Wright (the Applesoft-aholic)
> Geraldine.A.Wright.1@gsfc.nasa.gov
> ---------------------------------------
> "Big, fat hairy deal!"  -Garfield