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Am I the only person who really hates the term "maker"? It's awful, generic and self-aggrandizing. "Hacker" is a great term because it's fairly specific (you'r

by ebbv 13y ago

Am I the only person who really hates the term "maker"? It's awful, generic and self-aggrandizing. "Hacker" is a great term because it's fairly specific (you're working to alter something/make something work) and it's self-deprecating ("I'm just hacking away at it.").

untog 13y ago
In this context I'd say it is fine, because it describing people who are specifically doing hardware hacks. 3D printing and the like. But I agree that in general the term 'maker' has become very overused to be point of not meaning anything at all.
atwebb 13y ago
Since you asked (but not really)...I've actually always thought the term hacker sounded silly especially when spoken. Not sure what else I would go with but something about it feels cheesy and self-involved.
Terretta 13y ago
Went to Maker Faire NYC this weekend. Feel the same about the term. It should have been called 3D Printer Faire. If not that, then Kit-maker Faire. There was less "making" on display than at a typical arts and crafts festival, and much more commercialization of RTA kits than I'd expected. Also, I feel like Rasberry Pi should only come after Arduino which should only come after one of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Radio-Shack-CK1000-Basic-Electronic-Parts-Kit-/251343548006 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Radio-Shack-CK1000-Basic-Electronic-.... (Not the 150 in one project kits, actual components.) Start with hacking things from sensors and transistors before programming chips. As an example, on the linked "maker news" site, the home page currently has a headline about flickering a household bulb like a candle with Arduino, http://flowcon.us/td/hwmach/ http://flowcon.us/td/hwmach/. This doesn't need a chip. You could do it a variety of ways with the components above.
zokier 13y ago
> "Hacker" is a great term because it's fairly specific Funny thing. I think "maker" is far more specific term than "hacker". Maker == a person who makes stuff, hacker == a person who is somehow in touch with tech.
doctorstupid 13y ago
You're not the only person. It very much aggrivates me. These things that so called 'makers' do, that is, to make stuff, is what untold numbers, from all countries and cultures, have been doing forever. But now some feel the need to form a sham group and proselytize. It's similar to other group-consumption movements such as the Juggalos, aligning itself with a selection of products, fashion styles, and symbols. Some makers even proudly have themselves tattooed with these symbols. There are many of these group-consumption movements, but this one is particulary irritating for the promotion of its own idiom onto territory that belongs to everone. One hates being told that an activity in which they have always partook in their own individual manner is now the domain of a new higher authority on the matter.

by ebbv 13y ago

untog 13y ago

In this context I'd say it is fine, because it describing people who are specifically doing hardware hacks. 3D printing and the like. But I agree that in general the term 'maker' has become very overused to be point of not meaning anything at all.

atwebb 13y ago

Since you asked (but not really)...I've actually always thought the term hacker sounded silly especially when spoken. Not sure what else I would go with but something about it feels cheesy and self-involved.

Terretta 13y ago

Went to Maker Faire NYC this weekend. Feel the same about the term. It should have been called 3D Printer Faire. If not that, then Kit-maker Faire. There was less "making" on display than at a typical arts and crafts festival, and much more commercialization of RTA kits than I'd expected. Also, I feel like Rasberry Pi should only come after Arduino which should only come after one of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Radio-Shack-CK1000-Basic-Electronic-Parts-Kit-/251343548006 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Radio-Shack-CK1000-Basic-Electronic-.... (Not the 150 in one project kits, actual components.) Start with hacking things from sensors and transistors before programming chips. As an example, on the linked "maker news" site, the home page currently has a headline about flickering a household bulb like a candle with Arduino, http://flowcon.us/td/hwmach/ http://flowcon.us/td/hwmach/. This doesn't need a chip. You could do it a variety of ways with the components above.

zokier 13y ago

> "Hacker" is a great term because it's fairly specific Funny thing. I think "maker" is far more specific term than "hacker". Maker == a person who makes stuff, hacker == a person who is somehow in touch with tech.

doctorstupid 13y ago

You're not the only person. It very much aggrivates me. These things that so called 'makers' do, that is, to make stuff, is what untold numbers, from all countries and cultures, have been doing forever. But now some feel the need to form a sham group and proselytize. It's similar to other group-consumption movements such as the Juggalos, aligning itself with a selection of products, fashion styles, and symbols. Some makers even proudly have themselves tattooed with these symbols. There are many of these group-consumption movements, but this one is particulary irritating for the promotion of its own idiom onto territory that belongs to everone. One hates being told that an activity in which they have always partook in their own individual manner is now the domain of a new higher authority on the matter.