From: utzoo!decvax!watmath!djmdavies Newsgroups: net.misc Title: Re: A hacker by any other name .... Article-I.D.: watmath.2566 Posted: Wed Jun 9 20:55:39 1982 Received: Thu Jun 10 01:20:30 1982 References: watmath.2564 Obviously, as someone else said here recently, we have two different definitions (or concepts) hiding under the terms hack/hacker. I recall feeling mildly surprised on reading the MIT/Stanford hacker's Dictionary to find that 'Hacker' has been invested with a positive aura in that context. Interesting that the positive aura has subsequently spread (perhaps via ARPAnet for the most part, plus word of mouth) to a significant slice of USENET and some other parts of U.S. Computer Sci establishment. The whole dispute as to the 'true' meaning strikes me as a classic example of evolution in language use. Wonder if any sociolinguists have noticed the possibilities of using computer message networks to collect raw data on language shifts. I also wonder if anyone can comment from personal knowledge on the context in which 'hacker' first became a 'good' word. Was it originally a we-hackers-stick- together reaction by (mainly AI) students who were being put down as 'mere hackers' by others... And later the people concerned learn to work in more discipline ways, and retain the label out of pride and a bit of rebellion (perhaps, against snap judgements)... and now other people take the term up. ? Anyone know? I have to say that I can accept 'hacker' as a 'good' word, as used by certain individuals, but it still by default retains a perjorative force for me.