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Ask HN: What's your definition for 'being hacker'?
- PilotPirx 16y agoto succeed...
- Facens 16y agoDo you think that anyone succeeding can be called 'hacker'?
- PilotPirx 16y agoNope, you're right to point that out. But a certain amount of success is an important requirement. You can still fail sometimes and try again and have success or find out that something is just not possible. So trying to put it in a single word was maybe a weak attempt. There are more factors, like do something new (and hopefully have success with it), learn a lot, hard work...
- Facens 16y agoSeems like 'succeding' and 'innovation' are key components, according with the other comment.
- PilotPirx 16y agoFunny, after responding to your post I was watching that IBM video on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrhDaAmn5Uw&feature=channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrhDaAmn5Uw&feature=chann... somebody had posted on HN in the meantime. And "to invent" was what I actually wanted to add here, after I heard Bijan Davari in the video, saying "Our job is to invent" (around 26:30)
- shankx 16y agoThere can be two types, •a programmer who breaks into computer systems in order to steal or change or destroy information as a form of cyber-terrorism •a programmer for whom computing is its own reward; may enjoy the challenge of breaking into other computers but does no harm; "true hackers subscribe to a code of ethics and look down upon crackers"
- Charuru 16y agoSomeone who improves the world through innovation.
- Facens 16y agoInteresting, this is similar to the Schumpeter's vision of an entrepreneur.
- dragons 16y agoSomeone who solves problems or produces work in unconventional ways, not working via the usual channels.
- tarquin 16y agoI think the Jargon File (http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/index.html http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/index.html) puts it nicely.. there are several definitions, most having to do with technical adeptness and a delight in solving problems and overcoming limits.
- brudgers 16y agoA hacker is someone who isn't afraid to win the ball even though it requires falling in the mud or stepping on a more technically skilled opponent's foot.