Re: [Fsfe-uk] hacker definition

[Ramanan Selvaratnam]

Yes, I agree with  points  made by Chris on the existing  perception of  
hackers. 
But is it not time for change?

Especially when,  even BBC online has run interviews, where RMS was able 
to clarify this and related issues. Actually there was a related quiz to 
enlighten people about the hacker/cracker issue.
Also note that anyone who might browse through to this and related 
webpages is bound to be aspiring to explore new emerging technologies 
and ideas.

I have attended two occasions recently where heavily funded talks on 
licences and 'IP rights' were discussed by a 'consultant' to an audience 
of professional artists who in my view were trying to explore electronic 
information/content distribution methods too.

In both cases,  I felt that wrong information was being given as the 
speaker was not really aware of the IT related issues. In one case there 
was mention of the OPL, as if it was the 'copyleft' .
The links given out for further referencews were very awful (DTI's 
webresource was definitely for the last century!).

My thinking was C4's 'Ideasfactory' could become one such useful link to 
gently introduce the emerging  IT related issues to 'creatives' who want 
to be precise with what they do.
A simple eg: Model a product concept : Software to use --> Blender, 
POV-Ray, GIMP ....

(My perception of C4 has always been as an alternative point of view to 
the corporate propaganda organs)

Also the (now) traditional use of free software as a complete and viable 
networks system could be highlighted to those who have very little IT 
experience if AFFS could persuade the people behind this website. Only 
then we could have some useful linbks appearing in places like

http://www.ideasfactory.com/new_media/links/index.htm

Regards

Ram


Chris Croughton wrote:

> On Wed, May 14, 2003 at 02:39:09AM +0100, Ramanan Selvaratnam wrote:
>
>  
>
> > Channel 4, while attempting to get into new fields and future creative 
> > technologies has made real mess of definitions here.
> >
> > http://www.ideasfactory.com/apps/careers/profileresult.jsp?profile=Hacker
> >
> > "A hacker is someone who uses their technical expertise to break 
> > electronically into computer systems around the corner or around the globe.
> >    
>
> Unfortunately, whether we like it or not (and I don't) that definition
> of hacker is the one which most of the press and ordinary people uses.
> Even The Register, which is normally on 'our' side, slips more than
> occasionally.
>
>  
>
> > You could be hacking into the Pentagon to download classified 
> > information on George Bush's alleged preference for his fried eggs sunny 
> > side up,......."!!!
> >
> > what is interesting is they do point out further down this bad article
> >
> > "......Mastering Python, C, C++, Perl and LISP, you are now the fount of 
> > all technical knowledge."
> >
> > Illegal LISP coders run the risk arrest, trial and prison !!!
> >    
>
> By the same sort of people who can't distinguish a paediatrician from a
> paedophile, very probably.  Didn't you known that all programmers are
> suspect anyway?  We're a subversive lot who can't be trusted because we
> Know Stuff that ordinary people don't, and talk in jargon to cover up
> our plotting.  And we put bugs in code deliberately to mess up the
> 'normals'.
>
>  
>
> > Then there are some totally unrelated links at the bottom. No mention of 
> > jobs on the GNU website or LPI certification.
> >
> > I visited the website (which seems to be a good idea) as C4 were 
> > advertising this on late night TV.
> >    
>
> Thanks.  I rarely watch any of the terrestrial channels now (in fact I
> don't watch much at all, I mess with computers and read a lot, another
> subversive activity).
>
>  
>
> > Maybe AFFS should be highlighted in the links alongside BCS. This is 
> > very relevant as free software is a viable solution to many aspiring 
> > futuristic 'creatives', this web resource is primarily designed for.
> > Alternatively some one should point out to C4, ESR's definition of a 
> > 'hacker' or something more appropriate.
> >    
>
> I doubt it will do any good, the reply will be of the form "Oh, no one
> will understand if we use that definition, everyone knows it means
> people who break into other computers and write viruses".  BTDTGTTS.
>
> (Note: I wouldn't say most of that stuff about being subversive outside
> the hacker community, normals tend to take it seriously.  The same
> reason as joking about having a bomb in your luggage at an airport is a
> Bad Idea...)
>
> Chris C
>
>
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