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Comment by jgrahamc | Hacker News Reader

Do we really need to go over this again? It's pretty simple: within the computer community 'hacker' has a positive context. For everyone else it's negative.

It's like 'fag'. Say that in the UK and you are talking about cigarettes. Say it in the US and it's offensive.

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not to cut teeth here, but the 'fag' analogy doesn't really hold up. no matter how you swing it, the term 'hacker' relates to technology (hardware, software, wetware, whatever). in this case, 'fag' has two very different meanings. i'm reminded of the story posted a month (or so) ago on the linux hacker dad whose son received some flack from an ignorant teacher (anyone have a link?).

I disagree. It's all about context. Don't describe yourself as a hacker unless you are around fellow hackers (in the sense used on this site). Otherwise you risk being misinterpreted.

i'd rather educate than be misinterpreted. the term 'hacker' best describes me and what i do. i'm not [just] an engineer. i'm not [just] a designer. i'm a hacker. hacker has a real, defined meaning. the media and popular interpretation be damned.

Perhaps not "hacker", but call something a "hack" and programmers will get a positive connotation, other people will see a negative one.

Splitting these connotations is a tough battle. The "skeptics" movement faced the same issue 30 or so years ago. "Skeptic" was seen as equivalent to "cynic," and to outsiders can still share some of the same emotional attachments.

People thinking about doing this with their startup should bear this in mind.

Well as a programmer, I'd say "a hack" has a mild negative connotation (something hastily thrown together and brittle).

But the terms "to hack" and "hacking" are both positive (to get stuff done).

I have no problem with the term 'hacker', but I don't call myself one. To me it feels the same as calling myself a 'player' or something... like I'm a poseur.

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