Re: Request for input from someone who has hired or managed an ex-hacker

From: TC (no-spam_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 01/26/05 

Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 15:49:01 GMT

Walter Roberson wrote:

> In article <qvvJd.283893$6w6.130447@tornado.tampabay.rr.com>,
> TC <no-spam@yahoo.com> wrote:
> :I'm writing an article about hiring hackers. I need input from
> someone :who has hired or mangaged a hacker.
>
> I would suggest that for responses to be meaningful, you need
> an additional question aimed at clarifying what the respondant
> means by "hacker".

That's a valid request. There are some who define true hackers as
benevolent seekers of knowledge. They (hackers) are not pursuing their
craft illegally. This definition, unfortunately, is shared by just a
few. Society however, does not differentiate hacker from cracker or
some other form of illegal hacking. Therefore, the defacto definition
is all encompassing. And for the purposes of my article include both
good and bad elements.

>
> The greatest difficulty I have noted with hackers is getting them
> to -stop- working and take a break. The second greatest difficulty
> would perhaps be to get them to focus on just one thing instead of
> exploring tangents or working on many things at once. Perhaps I
> am merely projecting my own failings onto others ;-) but I think
> these to be more categorical truths.

Do they still accomplish tasks on time? How is the finished product?

>
> But then, I'm a hacker from the days when "hacker" meant little
> more negative than "Judged most likely to practically live
> on pizza deliveries."

Ah, the good old days! I miss them myself.