For those readers that have Internet access, Timo Salmi of Findland has started an Anon-FTP QL Server, garbo.uwasa.fi (128.214.81.1). Garbo is already an MS-DOS server but Timo has set aside a section for the QL. To start things off, he has uploaded a number of his programs.
I have uploaded back issues of the QHJ to the server and plan to upload most of the freeware stuff that I have (if it’s not too large to transfer to MS-DOS disk). I am trying to get Dave Walker, the porter of C68, to upload the C68 files to Garbo.uwasa.fi. Odds are that most of the files will be archived somehow, but these archivers will be available on the server (I’ll put them there).
I have two documents/files that might be of interest to QLer’s. The first is the Computer Language List. This is a document maintained by Bill Kinnersley of the University of Kansas, that documents all known computer languages. The first version of the document that I recieved had 1300 languages listed. Where as the most recent version has 1700 languages.
A lot of the languages are from the early days of computers and most never got out of the lab. To make the list, the language must have been pulished in some sort of tech journal, report, magazine, book, etc.
The other document is the Jargon File. This is a compiled list of computer related jargon words and thier meanings as related to computers. Over the years this document has spawned off two books, the most recent being the “Hacker’s Dictionary.” The version of the Jargon file that I have is should have about 90% of what the book does.
The Jargon File documents the history of the words, including who started them and where they started. I’ve found it interesting from the view point of computer history, but it also have me a better idea of the “real” definition of a number of computer terms.
Both documents are available via the Internet, but for those without Internet access (or Anon-FTP access), I can provide them on disk.
One thing that I have been doing the last couple of months, is writing to any magazine that misuses the term Hacker. I’m trying to get the press to stop using the term Hacker when they talk about crackers or computer criminals. Now the general public thinks that Hackers are nothing but a bunch of kids breaking into computer systems, wreaking havoc.
Michael McClary posted an article to Usenet that really sums up the whole issue:
A computer “hacker” is a gifted programmer, capable of substituting skil and persistence for quality software tools.
A computer “cracker” is a person who defeats system security measures, for whatever reason. Some crakcing is done for legitimate reasons, such as testing system security or honing programming skills. Much more is done to obtain unauthorized access.
A computer “vandal” is a person who uses his computer access, however obtained, to damage other people’s data, programs, or computer access.
A computer “pirate” is a person who obtains improper financial reward for someone else’s data or programs, regardless how they obtained them.
Saying “hacker” when you mean “cracker”, “vandal”, or “pirate” is like saying “cowboy” when you mean “cattle rustler.” Just as nearly all cattle rustlers are cowboys but few cowboys are cattle rustlers, nearly all crackers are hackers but few hackers are crackers.
So the next time you see some article in the popular press misusing the term Hacker, write a letter to the editor letting them know that they are not using the term correctly. So far I have had “Defense News” and “CIO” have published my letter to the editor on this very matter.