Date   : Fri, 23 Aug 1985 00:12:00-EDT
From   : ABN.ISCAMS@USC-ISID.ARPA
Subject: Re: --- worms ---

Richard et al,

*** FLAME ON ***

You know, I'm getting bloody tired of the misuse and abuse of the term
"hacker".  I worked hard to learn enough to hopefully be considered a member
of those illustrious ranks, and do NOT like being associated with vandals,
delinquents, criminal elements, and the like.

The journalists are mainly responsible for the recent misuse, and delight in
calling any computer-related crime or incident the work of "hackers".
Perhaps a few thousand irate letters to editors, etc., would change their
misguided vocabulary.

I would suggest the use of the word "crasher" (as was recently used in a
book, "The Inner Circle", so I was told) to apply to the destructive or
criminal elements.  Hacker should remain a descriptive term of those who
love computers and programming for their own sake.

*** Flame Off ***

David Kirschbaum
Toad Hall
ABN.ISCAMS@USC-ISID