[roger_smith]

I was in a discussion about what I consider to be the true hacker ethos, as opposed to the mainstream idea of what hacking is today. I consider myself to be a true hacker. (Although I honestly prefer the term "modder" or "maker") For me, it's not about exploiting a security flaw, nor is it about the end result. It's about the process of getting there. It's about making something do something it was never meant to do. To expand, update, or adapt a device, from a computer to a kids toy for new applications. Wikipedia sums up the idea well:

The hacker culture is a subculture of individuals who enjoy the intellectual challenge of creatively overcoming limitations of software systems to achieve novel and clever outcomes. The act of engaging in activities (such as programming or other media) in a spirit of playfulness and exploration is termed "hacking". However, the defining characteristic of a hacker is not the activities performed themselves (e.g. programming), but the manner in which it is done.

However, I constantly see, and hear about "crackers." People whose primary focus is malicious and exploit weaknesses in computer systems for profit or self gain. (I'm using the term "cracker" in this context for the purposes of this thread. I'm well aware of, and support finding flaws in the interest of security) It seems that people like me, are slowly dwindling down to zero, and I fear, that it is a lost mentality. Even some of the first hackers, who are closely linked with modern day hacking in popular culture, it was not about making free calls. They could do that, but it was more about exploring the system, to understand and manipulate it in ways we they weren't meant to. A really well done and interesting documentary on the origin of hacking and the early pioneers is "The Secret History of Hacking" and I feel it explains what I consider to be a true hacker. So, is the true hacker a lost mentality?

In places like HackForums, here to some degree, and whatever other Skid row sites, it's hard to find.

In my experience, SL has a decent bit of the traditional hacker crowd; you, myself, Muse, plenty others I can't think of off the top of my head. That's part of what keeps me around, honestly.

I do think those who are more in line w/ hacking in a traditional sense are the few, the proud. I also think it's always kinda been that way though.