> -----Original Message-----
> From: ScruLoose [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: Friday, 5 December 2003 8:58 AM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: Debian Server Compromise -- A Fire Drill ??
>
>
> It's "cracker". Not "hacker".
> http://web.bilkent.edu.tr/Online/Jargon30/JARGON_C/CRACKER.HTM
It's both according to OED.
3. a. A person with an enthusiasm for programming or using computers as
an end in itself. colloq. (orig. U.S.).
1976 J. WEIZENBAUM Computer Power & Human Reason iv. 118 The compulsive
programmer, or hacker as he calls himself, is usually a superb technician.
1977 Time 5 Sept. 39/1 Some 500 retail outlets have opened in the past
couple of years to sell and service microcomputersand serve as hangouts for
the growing legions of home-computer nuts, or 'hackers' as they call
themselves. 1982 Sci. Amer. Oct. 110/1 In the jargon of computer science a
hacker is someone who spends much of his time writing computer programs.
1983 Byte May 298/1 'Hacker' seems to have originated at MIT. The original
German/Yiddish expression referred to someone so inept as to make furniture
with an axe, but somehow the meaning has been twisted so that it now
generally connotes someone obsessed with programming and computers but
possessing a fair degree of skill and competence. 1984 Which Micro? Dec.
17/3 A hacker might spend more time playing his own version of PacMan than
on useful program development. 1986 A & B Computing Nov. 16/3 The on-screen
help is for the casual user but there's plenty for the hacker who wants to
tinker with the software and tailor it for special purposes.
b. A person who uses his skill with computers to try to gain
unauthorized access to computer files or networks. colloq.
1983 Daily Tel. 3 Oct. 3/1 A hackercomputer jargon for an electronic
eavesdropper who by-passes computer security systemsyesterday penetrated a
confidential British Telecom message system being demonstrated live on
BBC-TV. 1985 U.S.A. Today 18 Oct. A1/4 A gang of 23 teen-age computer
hackers has done 'significant damage' to Chase Manhattan Bank's records.
1986 TeleLink Sept.-Oct. 25/2 Just for fun, the hackers decided to drop a
few APBs (All Points Bulletins) into the local police computer, with the
result that, when out driving in his car, he was repeatedly stopped.
matt
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