Friday, January 16, 2009

The Hacker Manifesto

But did you, in your three-piece psychology and 1950's technobrain, ever take a look behind the eyes of the hacker? Did you ever wonder what made him tick, what forces shaped him, what may have molded him?

I am a hacker, enter my world...

Mine is a world that begins with school... I'm smarter than most of the other kids, this crap they teach us bores me...

Damn underachiever. They're all alike.

I'm in junior high or high school. I've listened to teachers explain for the fifteenth time how to reduce a fraction. I understand it. "No, Ms. Smith, I didn't show my work. I did it in my head..."

Damn kid. Probably copied it. They're all alike.

I made a discovery today. I found a computer. Wait a second, this is cool. It does what I want it to. If it makes a mistake, it's because I screwed it up. Not because it doesn't like me... Or feels threatened by me.. Or thinks I'm a smart ass.. Or doesn't like teaching and shouldn't be here...

Damn kid. All he does is play games. They're all alike.

And then it happened... a door opened to a world... rushing through the phone line like heroin through an addict's veins, an electronic pulse is sent out, a refuge from the day-to-day incompetencies is sought... a board is found. "This is it... this is where I belong..." I know everyone here... even if I've never met them, never talked to them, may never hear from them again... I know you all...

Damn kid. Tying up the phone line again. They're all alike...

You bet your ass we're all alike... we've been spoon-fed baby food at school when we hungered for steak... the bits of meat that you did let slip through were pre-chewed and tasteless. We've been dominated by sadists, or ignored by the apathetic. The few that had something to teach found us willing pupils, but those few are like drops of water in the desert.

This is our world now... the world of the electron and the switch, the beauty of the baud. We make use of a service already existing without paying for what could be dirt-cheap if it wasn't run by profiteering gluttons, and you call us criminals. We explore... and you call us criminals. We seek after knowledge... and you call us criminals. We exist without skin color, without nationality, without religious bias... and you call us criminals. You build atomic bombs, you wage wars, you murder, cheat, and lie to us and try to make us believe it's for our own good, yet we're the criminals.

Yes, I am a criminal. My crime is that of curiosity. My crime is that of judging people by what they say and think, not what they look like. My crime is that of outsmarting you, something that you will never forgive me for.

I am a Hacker, and this is my manifesto. You may stop this individual, but you can't stop us all... after all, we're all alike.

HACKER:

[originally, someone who makes furniture with an axe]

  1. A person who enjoys exploring the details of programmable systems and how to stretch their capabilities, as opposed to most users, who prefer to learn only the minimum necessary.
  2. One who programs enthusiastically (even obsessively) or who enjoys programming rather than just theorizing about programming.
  3. A person capable of appreciating hack value.
  4. A person who is good at programming quickly.
  5. An expert at a particular program, or one who frequently does work using it or on it; as in `a UNIX hacker'. (Definitions 1 through 5 are correlated, and people who fit them congregate.)
  6. An expert or enthusiast of any kind. One might be an astronomy hacker, for example.
  7. One who enjoys the intellectual challenge of creatively overcoming or circumventing limitations.
  8. [deprecated] A malicious meddler who tries to discover sensitive information by poking around. Hence "password hacker", "network hacker". The correct term is cracker.

The term `hacker' also tends to connote membership in the global community defined by the net. It also implies that the person described is seen to subscribe to some version of the hacker ethic.

It is better to be described as a hacker by others than to describe oneself that way. Hackers consider themselves something of an elite (a meritocracy based on ability), though one to which new members are gladly welcome. There is thus a certain ego satisfaction to be had in identifying yourself as a hacker (but if you claim to be one and are not, you'll quickly be labeled bogus).

Things hackers detest and avoid:

IBM mainframes. Smurfs, Ewoks, and other forms of offensive cuteness. Bureaucracies. Stupid people. Easy listening music. Television (except for cartoons, movies, the old "Star Trek", and the new "Simpsons"). Business suits. Dishonesty. Incompetence. Boredom. COBOL. BASIC. Character-based menu interfaces. Anything Microsoft.

Swiss Army Knife: 85 tools WOW

1. 2.5” 60% Serrated locking blade
2. Nail file, nail cleaner
3. Corkscrew
4. Adjustable pliers with wire crimper and cutter
5. Removable screwdriver bit adapter
6. 2.5” Blade for Official World Scout Knife
7. Spring-loaded, locking needle-nose pliers with wire cutter
8. Removable screwdriver bit holder
9. Phillips head screwdriver bit 0
10. Phillips head screwdriver bit 1
11. Phillips head screwdriver bit 2
12. Flat head screwdriver bit 0.5 mm x 3.5 mm
13. Flat head screwdriver bit 0.6 mm x 4.0 mm
14. Flat head screwdriver bit 1.0 mm x 6.5 mm
15. Magnetized recessed bit holder
16. Double-cut wood saw with ruler (inch & cm)
17. Bike chain rivet setter, removable 5m allen wrench, screwdriver for slotted and Phillips head screws
18. Removable tool for adjusting bike spokes, 10m hexagonal key for nuts
19. Removable 4mm curved allen wrench with Phillips head screwdriver
20. Removable 10mm hexagonal key
21. Patented locking Phillips head screwdriver
22. Universal wrench
23. Laser pointer with 300 ft. range
24. 1.65” Clip point utility blade
25. Metal saw, metal file
26. 4 mm allen wrench
27. 2.5” blade
28. Fine metal file with precision screwdriver
29. Double-cut wood saw
30. Cupped cigar cutter with double-honed edges
31. 12/20-Gauge choke tube tool
32. Watch caseback opening tool
33. Snap shackle
34. Telescopic pointer
35. Compass, straight edge, ruler (in./cm)
36. Mineral crystal magnifier with precision screwdriver
37. 2.4” Springless scissors with serrated, self-sharpening design
38. Shortix key
39. Flashlight
40. Fish scaler, hook disgorger, line guide
41. Micro tool holder
42. Micro tool adapter
43. Micro scraper-straight
44. Reamer
45. Fine fork for watch spring bars
46. Pin punch 1.2 mm
47. Pin punch .8 mm
48. Round needle file
49. Removable tool holder with expandable receptacle
50. Removable tool holder
51. Multi-purpose screwdriver
52. Flat Phillips head screwdriver
53. Flat head screwdriver bit 0.5 mm x 3.5 mm
54. Spring loaded, locking flat nose nose-pliers with wire cutter
55. Phillips head screwdriver bit 0
56. Phillips head screwdriver bit 1
57. Phillips head screwdriver bit 2
58. Flat head screwdriver bit 0.5 mm x 3.5 mm
59. Flat head screwdriver bit 0.6 mm x 4.0 mm
60. Flat head screwdriver bit 1.0 mm x 6.5 mm
61. Can opener
62. Phillips head screwdriver
63. 2.5” Clip point blade
64. Golf club face cleaner
65. 2.4” Round tip blade
66. Patented locking screwdriver, cap lifter, can opener
67. Golf shoe spike wrench
68. Golf divot repair tool
69. Micro straight-curved
70. Special tool holder
71. Phillips head screwdriver 1.5mm
72. Screwdriver 1.2 mm
73. Screwdriver .8 mm
74. Mineral crystal magnifier, fork for watch spring bars, small ruler
75. Removable screwdriver bit holder
76. Magnetized recessed bit holder
77. Tire tread gauge
78. Reamer/awl
79. Patented locking screwdriver, cap lifter, wire stripper
80. Special Key
81. Toothpick
82. Tweezers
83. Adapter
84. Key ring
85. Second key ring

Listal



Listal is a social network based around entertainment including Movies, TV shows, games, DVDs, Music and books, Actors & Actresses, Music artists, Authors and Directors

List your stuff

List your owned, watched, read or played items and share with friends

Rate items and add reviews, tags, images, videos & lists

Organise your Movie/TV, Music, Game or Book collections

Fascism?

What?


Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it)

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Girls: 9 Reasons You Should Date a Nerd


If you have never dated a nerd, consider the following 9 reasons why you might just need a geek in your life:



1. He's Heartfelt; Although sometimes awkward, geeks are usually well-meaning and sincere. He wants to get to know you and feel comfortable with a real lady. Surely, it is quite a difference from the lonely nights with Lara Croft from Tomb Raider, but a welcome change nonetheless.


2. He's a Smarty Pants; Nerds usually are intelligent, can hold a good job and are overall self-sufficient. He's probably responsibly planned for and invested in his future well before any of us have started. Smart guys can also open your horizons and can offer a perspective or education about world news, politics or obscure movie trivia.


3. You'll get the Star Treatment; Often overlooked, these guys can appreciate a woman when they get one. Likely to be a priority in his life, they show you off to their friends, call when they say they will and will most likely impress Mom and Dad. Okay, so maybe you will be number 2 or 3 after the computer games and geek trivia, but you won't be on a long list of ladies vying for some time with him.


4. He's Open to Suggestions; You can offer tips on fashions, hairstyles or even music of present day. They realize that they could use the help when replacing the acid washed jeans or "spiked" hair from the days of yore and welcome their newfound hipness.


5. He's a Gentleman; A far cry from the smarmy creep at the bar, nerds are more likely to debate your favorite Superman villain than only go after that "one thing." With little less relationship experience, his naïve fumbling with romantic advances come off as endearing and honest.


6. He's a Go-Go Gadget Guy; Nerds tend to be more tech-savvy than the average layman, so whenever a frustrating situation happens with cache memory, deleting cookies or synchronizing the network, he can get those gadgets to behave.


7. He'll Make You Laugh; With quirky interests and a matching sense of humor; nerds can share some interesting trivia or strange hobbies and while laughing at themselves, too. It's a welcome deviation from the "I'm too cool to laugh at myself" act.


8. He Keeps the Right Company; Nerdy guys often have awkward geek friends. So instead of bad influences or disrespectful attitudes, your nerd man is hanging out with these guys playing Guitar Hero. A welcome reprieve from the raunchy "Guys Night Out," when who knows what could happen, these guys are spending time with the fellas discussing politics or network gaming. Plus, the buddies treat you nice when you come around, while your new man will be the hit in the group with such a hot gal on his arm.


9. You Can Be Yourself; You don't have to put on a show for these guys by wearing 4 inch heels and making yourself up to look like a goddess. We bet they wouldn't mind your hair in a ponytail, the makeup-free glow, or your favorite jersey. You can be yourself around him and he won't be the jerk that works so hard to make you feel ugly. Like finding a diamond in the rough, your nerdy guy can be your own little treasure that no one has discovered yet.


You will have to discover them, by the way. Nerdy ones are not the type to seek you out or make the first move, so you will have to be the brave one. But upon further examination, choosing a nerd may improve your chances of making a real connection.Due to their neglected past, there are a bevy of nerdy gentlemen out there that never garnered a second look that are ready and willing to have a real relationship with someone that will give him a chance. So what if they are interested in geeky things? They make great companions because they stimulate the most vital organ: the brain