What's a Hack?

Thanks to everyone for reading, suggesting sites, and requesting hacks. We're thrilled and inspired to see the support, enthusiasm, and curiosity we've received in the short period of time we've been running Hackszine.

Though most readers get what we're up to, we've also seen a vocal minority who seem to think (or hope) we're offering something we're not, so I'd like to take a moment to reiterate the purpose of this site, with a finer point on what you can expect to see us post and what sort of requests you should assume we'll ignore without comment.

The professed goal of the Hacks series in general, and now of Hackszine in particular, has always been to reclaim the term "hacking" for the good guys--innovators who explore and experiment, unearth shortcuts, create useful tools, and come up with fun things to try on their own. As mentioned in my welcome post, "to hack something is to make it work the way it should -- for you."

In that spirit, this reader request is the sort of thing we love to receive and are happy to respond to. By contrast, this one is not:

I just need to Hack a single Yahoo ID's password. Either by providing a link (url) to the victim or by any means. I don't have physical contact with the victim's computer. But I am able to provide any kind of webpage url to the victim.
In fact, if your request uses the word "victim" at all, that should probably be a red flag. We're not going to help you hijack your ex's Friendster account, delete your enemy's MySpace page, spy on your teacher's email, or any other such dirty deeds. These aren't "hacks" in the sense we're promoting the term.


So, before you click that Request a Hack link in the sidebar, ask yourself if what you're about to request is the sort of thing you'd like someone doing to you. If the answer is "no," don't bother going any further. But if you're looking for ways to get the most out of your own things, life, or world, we're here to help.


Recent Entries

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: TeacherHacks on February 2, 2007 at 8:42 PM

I really like your definition:
innovators who explore and experiment, unearth shortcuts, create useful tools, and come up with fun things to try on their own"
I have had the same problem at my site TeacherHacks.com. I've tried to explain it a million times... some teachers get it and some just don't. Many schools even block the site with their filters just for using the word hack.


Posted by: neh/pets on February 6, 2007 at 7:27 AM

holy cow, am I glad to have found you guys..
don't ya love the the media ruins simple things :)


Leave a comment


Subscribe to MAKE!Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now


Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out. Make: The risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things... Welcome to Make: Online!


CRAFT Maker Shed Maker Faire MAKE television
Holiday Gift Guides from MAKE
Gifts for Dads
Science and Chemistry
Gifts Under $20
More guides: Santa Claus Machines, Geek Toys for Grown Up Girls & Boys


Check out all of the episodes of Make: television

Alex Rider Dream Gadget Contest
Make: Science Room

Connect with MAKE

Be a MAKE fan on Facebook MAKE on Facebook
Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of MAKE!
MAKE on Twitter MAKE on Twitter
Follow our MAKE tweets!
MAKE Flickr Pool MAKE on Flickr
Join our MAKE Flickr Pool!
    make_tips on Twitter




    Maker SHED

    Advertise here with FM.

    Why advertise on MAKE?
    Read what folks are saying about us!

    Click here to advertise on MAKE!



    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Make: Online authors!

    Gareth BranwynGareth Branwyn
    Senior Editor


    Phillip TorronePhillip Torrone
    Senior Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Becky SternBecky Stern
    Associate Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Marc de VinckMarc de Vinck
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    John ParkJohn Park
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Sean RaganSean Ragan
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Matt MetsMatt Mets
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    Dale DoughertyDale Dougherty
    Editor & Publisher
    | Twitter


    Shawn ConnallyShawn Connally
    Managing Editor
    | Twitter


    Goli MohammadiGoli Mohammadi
    Associate Managing Editor

    Kip KayKip Kay
    Weekend Projects
    | AIM | Twitter


    Collin CunninghamCollin Cunningham
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter

    Adam FlahertyAdam Flaherty
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter



    More contributors: Mark Frauenfelder (Editor-in-Chief, MAKE magazine), Kipp Bradford (Technical Consultant/Writer), Chris Connors (Education), Diana Eng (Guest Author), Peter Horvath (Intern), Brian Jepson (O'Reilly Media), Robert Bruce Thompson (Science Room)

    Suggest a Site!

    Current Podcast

    itunesdl.gif Weekend Project: Beetlebot Simple robot from your parts bin that avoids obstacles. Thanks go to Jerome Demers for the original article in MAKE, Volume 12. To download the Beetlebot video, click here or subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Beetlebot article... More...

    Get the Make: Online sent via email
    Enter your email to receive Make: Online each day:



    MAKE Fascination video series brought to you by Dow

    Make: Education
    MAKE: en EspaƱol MAKE: Japan
    Important please read


    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Recent Posts from the Craft: Blog