Date: Wed, 5 Jul 1995 10:42:45 +0200 From: Julian Howard Stacey <jhs@vector.eikon.e-technik.tu-muenchen.de> To: hackers@freebsd.org Subject: Proposal to change name of this list to a less embarrassing one Message-ID: <199507050842.KAA00763@vector.eikon.e-technik.tu-muenchen.de>
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I propose we change the list name `hackers' to [ Suggestions Please ]. The world of journalists & bosses & general public has made up its mind a hacker is anti-social, the name thus harms FreeBSD's image. It's hard enough to persuade bosses and friends to use FreeBSD, rather than something commercial, it's harder still when one must tell the `Suits': "Your administrator should subscribe to a list called `hackers'" The difference between a `hacker' & a `cracker' is something no one but us & other techno-freaks knows or cares about. We are too few to have a hope of educating the world's press. The word `hacker' has been hijacked & had its meaning changed, we should respond accordingly. ( Most people old enough to have had the habit, have long since given up saying "I'm gay" when merely joyful & happy, as that word too has changed its meaning; similarly `nice' once meant `exact' but no longer does.) Words change, `hackers' attracts negative publicity. Let's change it. The new name should be `future proof' & non-repelant to individual programmers working in their leisure time, to commercial firms & governmental users. Perhaps something like forum@freebsd.org ? (just an example, the important thing is to expire `hackers'). For the people with CD-ROMs that refer to hackers@ we could retain an /etc/aliases entry on freebsd.org for a year or so. Changing the name of `hackers@freebsd.org' won't happen without public support, would those in favour please respond publicly, (no point mailing me privately). Thanks. Julian S
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