Some people seem to be confused about what a hacker is, and whether I am one or not. Here is your answer: I am. And her is what that means:

hacker (hacking)[1]
A hacker is someone who is able to manipulate the inner workings of computers, information, and technology.

Consider Arthur C. Clark’s Third Law: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”. Since normal people have no clue as to how computers work, they often view hackers with suspicion and awe (as magicians, sorcerers, witches, and warlocks). This suspicion leads to the word “hacker” having the connotation of someone up to no good.

History: The word “hacker” started out in the 14th century to mean somebody who was inexperienced or unskilled at a particular activity (such as a golf hacker).

In the 1970s, the word “hacker” was used by computer enthusiasts to refer to themselves. This reflected the way enthusiasts approach computers: they eschew formal education and play around with the computer until they can get it to work. (In much the same way, a golf hacker keeps hacking at the golf ball until they get it in the hole).

Furthermore, as “experts” learn about the technology, the more they realize how much they don’t know (especially about the implications of technology). When experts refer to themselves as “hackers”, they are making a Socratic statement that they truly know nothing. For more information on this connotation, see ESR’s computer enthusiast “Jargon File”.