Whenever a computer exploit, or a suspected exploit (say, a windows-based virus) appears, the media and the general public refer to the peretrators as “Hackers”. But within the techno-anarcho-engineering circles, 2600 and the like, the whine comes back “They’re not hackers, they’re Crackers – hackers like us are just intelectually curious, we’re not trying to destroy or steal information.” Crackers are supposedly the ones who get in and break stuff and steal credit card numbers for the fun (or is that “phun”) of it. The original phone hackers at some point were given the name “Phreakers” – possibly subsequent to the coining of “Hacker”. Then there are “Jackers”, named after car- and hi-jackers, who are deliberately trying to commit crimes.
I say, Tomay-to, tomah-to, let’s call the whole thing off. Just accept the fact that everybody thinks that a Hacker has malicious or possibly criminal intent, and coin yourselves a new name. Tweaker won’t do, as it’s identical to “Tweeker” (usually referred to with the adjective f’n as in “f’n tweeker”) – one who consumes methamphetamine. “Tinker” doesn’t exactly sound heterosexual (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
I prefer more elegant appelations. It’s not vandalism, it’s “real estate improvements abatement.” They’re not homeless, they’re “urban campers”. How about “improvised engineers” – or is that too close to Disney’s “Imagineers” – or maybe that’s a good thing? “Freelance technologists”? “System security verification volunteers”? “Authentication bypass specialists”?