Ask HN: What's your definition for 'being hacker'?

4 points·Facens··10 comments

I think the Jargon File (http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/index.html) puts it nicely.. there are several definitions, most having to do with technical adeptness and a delight in solving problems and overcoming limits.

A hacker is someone who isn't afraid to win the ball even though it requires falling in the mud or stepping on a more technically skilled opponent's foot.

Someone who solves problems or produces work in unconventional ways, not working via the usual channels.

to succeed...

Do you think that anyone succeeding can be called 'hacker'?

Nope, you're right to point that out. But a certain amount of success is an important requirement.

You can still fail sometimes and try again and have success or find out that something is just not possible.

So trying to put it in a single word was maybe a weak attempt. There are more factors, like do something new (and hopefully have success with it), learn a lot, hard work...

Seems like 'succeding' and 'innovation' are key components, according with the other comment.

Funny, after responding to your post I was watching that IBM video on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrhDaAmn5Uw&feature=chann... somebody had posted on HN in the meantime. And "to invent" was what I actually wanted to add here, after I heard Bijan Davari in the video, saying "Our job is to invent" (around 26:30)

Someone who improves the world through innovation.

Interesting, this is similar to the Schumpeter's vision of an entrepreneur.

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