s1m0n wrote:Specifically, a hack is computer code written for a single purpose rather than as part of an actual application.
If you have to, for instance, clean up a database full of names and you write a short piece of SQL to split first names into a seperate field and change both name fields into title case, that's a hack.
If you write a program so that everyone can do the same thing, that isn't.
I am assuming that you are saying that that isn't a hack, rather than that isn't a hack
er.
I was referring to the term "a hacker" as defined by Eric S. Raymond's article
"How To Become A Hacker" and pointing out that the majority of the media misuse the term.
The media have misused it so much, even the online
Merriam-Webster dictionary has the media definition as the number 4 definition.
Anyone who is interested in computers and computer software should read some or all of Eric S. Raymond's
essays.
Are you a Linux user? I am currently running Fedora Core 6 and thinking about trying out Ubuntu, but I'm busy making reeds for my pipes just now. I don't think I will have my chanter reed ready this weekend (planning on attending the Loch Norman Games Fri). I have had insomnia twice this week and just can't get motivated to scrape more Arundo Donax into sawdust.