Hackers Hacking & Code Crackers?

According to three websites, the general definition of the word "hacker," are: www.telecomsnews.co.uk/ states, "Computer users who understand the "ins and outs" of computers, networks, and the Internet in general." www.computerdoctor.com stated, "The term used to describe computer users who attempt to gain unauthorized access to sites. Some hackers perform security audits for companies for a fee; other hackers steal information from companies for their own personal gain." Finally, www.prenhall.com states, "People who break into computer systems with the intention of causing destruction".

Personally, the definition of the word hacking/hackers is a computer enthusiast, someone who is extremely proficient or obsessive about programming, programming languages and or computer systems & networks. Hacking is a state of mind. Curiosity is the main point; a hacker always wants to know more about information, depending on his/her taste. It is the curiosities which makes them learn more and more quickly than another person of the same age.

Traditionally hackers were regarded as "geeks", who knew everything about computers (hardware and software) and networks. They are very intelligent programmers. The term hacker was popularized by Steven Levy in his famous book "Hackers: Heroes of Computer Revolution." When he said hacker, he meant brilliant, constructive programmer who led the way to the computer revolution. If I still don't acknowledge the courtesies of hackers, Eric S. Raymond reminds me what the hackers have done for us: "Hackers built the Internet. Hackers made the UNIX operating system what it is today. Hackers run Usenet. Hackers make the World Wide Web work. If you are part of this culture, if you have contributed to it and other people in it know who you are and call you a hacker, you're a hacker..." (The Hackers Jargon File Hard Cover)

In days long gone by, a "hacker" was someone who spent an inordinate amount of time engaged in the activity of 'hacking' at a keyboard. This slang term was eventually corrupted into an insult. Over time, the insult spread to other professions, but the term "hacker" continued to apply to people who spent the late hours hunched over