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Comment by thedob | Hacker News Reader

One thing that's confused me about the "Please tell us about the time you most successfully hacked some (non-computer) system to your advantage." question is the parenthesis. My guess is that they're included because you'll accept either a computer, or non-computer related example.

If it's confused me, chances are it may confuse others as well.

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The reason for "(non-computer)" is that we wanted to distinguish between hacking in the sense of programming, and hacking in the sense of beating the system.

When i saw this question this is what i thought also. I was a tad unsure but when i put my application through in the next month or so i was going to discuss a general system known to everyone and how I was able to conduct myself to ensure that the system worked towards my advantage.

I guess with your comments above paul, it is something along those lines that you are looking for.

Thanks for clarification, oh and the initial question for that matter :)

"Beating the system" makes me think of rebellion. Is this really what you looking for in applicants? Does non-conformism really matter that much?

I think what pg means by this question is: "how resourceful are you in getting want you want/need?" I believe Entrepreneurs need to be creative and relentless in finding exactly what they need to succeed.

The "non-computer" wording is still confusing.

That seems to exclude hacks to computerized systems such as "Profited from eTrade being slow to patch the mutual fund market timing loopholes" or "Flipped laptops on eBay when lots of people used to spell it labtop."

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