So in this day and age, there seems to be a misconception over what it really means to be a `hacker`. Allow me a few minutes of your time to fix this misconception... hopefully at least.

What a `hacker` is...

By its first definition back in the 1960's, a `hacker` was a person that pursued a hobby or interest with extreme vigor and learned everything they could about it, and all encompassing fields involving it. There are different types of `hackers`, but for the purposes of this, I'm going to cover `computer hackers`. These individuals live and breathe computers and software. Within the realm of `computer hackers` are people who specialize in certain areas... encryption, networking, etc. There is also a branch of `hackers` that will be discussed later. True `hackers` don't really do anything out of maliciousness, they explore and learn.

What a `hacker` is not...

The term `hacker` is often misused to describe another form of life out there; `crackers` or as I call them, assholes. These numerous individuals are what you tend to find on forums wanting to know 'how to hack [insert name of thing]'. I've seen it thousands of times on this very site. Their only intentions are destructive ones and their very existence lowers what it means to be a `hacker`.

What you can do to help `hackers`...

First and foremost, unless otherwise noted by someone far more adept with `hacking` calls you a hacker or something similar... you are not a `hacker`. Odds are in fact you are a subspecies of `crackers` known as a `script kiddy`. You can fix this though. Learn a skill, learn a programming language and master it. Learn the ins and outs of your operating system. Contribute to Open Source projects. etc.

Well, if you made it that far and learned anything, good. If not... well then those of us that learned something are better than you, now aren't we?

Haha, this is a nice addition to the site, Mass should sticky it. Its quite annoying to find so many people who have no idea between the two, when its such a simple thing...

Hackers: Intent on Learning & Exploring
Crackers: Malicious Jackasses with a hole in their ego they try fill by hurting others.

Pretty. Odd. You were one of the people I was trying to point out as not being a hacker.

o.0 I'm not a hacker, and that doesnt say i am one...though i am also not a "cracker"...

I just know what the difference is...though my only intent on computers is to explore and learn...i've just got this thing where i love to learn about computers, and technology period...

and being a script kiddie doesnt classify as a subspecies of a cracker, its a subspecies of hackers as well, and so i classify myself as a script kiddie who's slowly turning into a hacker...given a long time...

o, and ishkur, you shouldnt classify people when you know so little about them...im not quite sure what to call me personally, but ask mass, he knows me best out of everyone here...so mayb he would have the correct term...

I can think whatever I want about anyone I want, and the wonder of the Internet is that I can say it as well. A skiddy is always a skiddy, no matter what, so you're not going anywhere. As for the term to describe you... lemme think about that one for a bit.

lol. by the way i probably fit in as the cracker

Yay, well, i dont mind being a skiddy...you yourself as well as the rest of the universe is a skiddy when in comparison to someone better...so its not really plausible to think that your arent

and blindskater...please dont try to laugh, when you are much, much worse than me

true. i dont even try any more. i dont think i have the mind capacity.

I have the same view as Iskur. To me a hacker is one that uses a program, Desides it could use a new function and adds it. ( hacked the code ).

A skiddie is a pain i my ass like, having to disabling some usefull php and mysql functions for the fact they exploit them. and locking down a box to where i all but useless. I use to spend hours locking down a box. now thanks to my ( text based programing ) . its down to mins.

If i was to point out a few skiddies on this site im sure i would make a few people mad.

I know what I am, and I know my limitations. I am a programmer. More specifically I code C/C++/C# and PHP. I have a base in Ruby on Rails and a working knowledge of ColdFusion (I coded it professionally for a while).

As sl0wz was kind enough to extend my definition, I agree with him. Example in place: I had an application I was using a few months ago. It plotted coordinates from algebraic expressions. It lacked something I wanted to do (It could only plot graphs for 3 functions, I needed 4 to be done). So, I added the ability to run 4 expressions. I emailed the developers my code and hopefully they'll use it.

It's not a matter of comparison, who's better at what, what you're not good at, etc. It's a matter of what you're willing to put into something: time, effort, blood sweat and tears.

If you "dont mind being a skiddy" [sic], then that's your problem.