Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!duke!unc!mcnc!ncsu!mauney
From: mauney@ncsu.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.misc,net.nlang
Subject: Re: Changing meaning of term "hacker"
Message-ID: <2330@ncsu.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 14-Sep-83 10:15:43 EDT
Article-I.D.: ncsu.2330
Posted: Wed Sep 14 10:15:43 1983
Date-Received: Wed, 14-Sep-83 18:51:14 EDT
Lines: 20

References: tekecs.2084

It is clear that we must rally now to fight the pernicious myth
that a hacker is a criminal.  I propose a massive letter-writing
campaign directed at the media,  pointing out to them the true
meaning of the word "hack".  I suggest that someone on an ARPAnet
machine post a copy of the jargon dictionary definition of hack
and hacker (or the whole dictionary), and that every red-blooded
netuser run off a copy on your best printer and mail it to your
favorite news magazine, network, TV station, or local paper, along
with a letter stating that if they misuse the word again, you'll
switch to a competitor.

Not only will this get the media's attention,  but it will probably
also generate lots of publicity for usenet  ("Tonight on PM Magazine
we'll meet some computer programmers that send offensive jokes
around the world electronically...").

				   Jon Mauney
				   mcnc!ncsu!mauney