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From: josef@nixpbe.UUCP (Moellers)
Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk
Subject: Re: hacker = computer criminal
Keywords: hacker stoll nova
Message-ID: <josef.655030798@peun11>
Date: 4 Oct 90 08:59:58 GMT
References: <4761@bone25.UUCP> <69148@lll-winken.LLNL.GOV>
Sender: news@nixpbe.nixdorf.de
Lines: 26

In <69148@lll-winken.LLNL.GOV> howell@grover.llnl.gov (Louis Howell) writes:

[stuff deleted]

>With regard to the word hacker, we should distinguish between its use
>in jargon and its use by mainstream society.  Can the word continue to
>hold the meanings we know and love, even while being distorted by
>outsiders?  Other words mean very different things in jargon and in
>everyday usage, but does it make a difference that the word "hacker"
>is so emotionally charged?

I doubt You can keep on distinguishing, lest society will look upon all
of us "hackers" as being criminals.
Imagine You wanted to say that You are quite happy and said, e.g. in a
newletter:
		Coputer user's are gay!
When I learned English some 24 years ago, "gay" meant "happy". And look
what it means today!
I think we should be carefull in using the term "hacker" unless society
sort of forgets it's bad second meaning.

--
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