Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!duke!unc!tim
From: tim@unc.UUCP (Tim Maroney)
Newsgroups: net.misc,net.nlang
Subject: Re: Changing meaning of term "hacker"
Message-ID: <5867@unc.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 14-Sep-83 16:14:09 EDT
Article-I.D.: unc.5867
Posted: Wed Sep 14 16:14:09 1983
Date-Received: Wed, 14-Sep-83 20:04:27 EDT
References: ncsu.2330
Lines: 29


    It's obvious that we need some name for those who break the
security of computer systems, to fight the pernicious media which are
trying to defame the noble word "hacker", meaning one who is spends a
lot of time programming.  It is worthy of note that the set of hackers
is pretty much of a superset of the former crowd.

    We need this to be a word which is usable by those in the media,
that is, three or fewer syllables.  "Security breaker" is right out.
The word must also be sufficiently distinctive to have that "appeal"
that is so important to commercial television.  Maybe we should just
call them "thieves", but it just ain't snazzy, nor does it distinguish
them from normal thieves.

    I am too busy to coordinate the responses, so either post them to
the net or volunteer to coordinate it yourself.  Here are a few to get
started:

breakers
chipsuckers
compirates
file-riflers
crackers

___________
Tim Maroney
duke!unc!tim (USENET)
tim.unc@udel-relay (ARPA)
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill