Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site cbosgd.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!mark From: mark@cbosgd.UUCP (Mark Horton) Newsgroups: net.followup Subject: Re: Hackers and others take note Message-ID: <568@cbosgd.UUCP> Date: Mon, 10-Dec-84 01:13:00 EST Article-I.D.: cbosgd.568 Posted: Mon Dec 10 01:13:00 1984 Date-Received: Mon, 10-Dec-84 06:37:33 EST References: <2612@dartvax.UUCP> <519@sdcsvax.UUCP> Organization: Bell Labs, Columbus Lines: 21 If you really want to correct the bad image of the term "hacker" that started when Dan Rather did his series and has continued since, why not write a polite letter to Sandza (possibly with a CC to Rather) explaining the difference? Such people are in the best position to straighten out the public image. It might even make a good story for them. (And I'll bet Sandza would appreciate getting some NICE mail from hackers for a change!) I've always thought the term "hacker" stood for someone who was obsessed with the use of computers, to the exclusion of nearly everything else. Some hackers break into systems. Others do useful work and put it into the public domain (or just use it themselves.) A few do both. So calling those intruders "hackers" was correct, it just gave the wrong impression. For those of you searching for a new word for the bad guys, I think the last time this came up, the discussion finally settled on "cracker." If someone has a (paper) address for Sandza, would you please post it? I don't suppose we can reach him electronically. Mark Horton