A Definition of a Satellite Hacker
V. 1.0 - 21.02.2003
V. 1.1 - 05.10.2004
V. 1.2 - 10.06.2008
Copyright (C) 02/2003 by Howard Fuhs
Since the advent of computer technology in the hand of the masses the word Hacker became also wellknown outside of the hardcore hobbyist or academic computer community. Especially the media was since the 80’s dubbing everybody who was able to successfully boot a computer without breaking the power switch a Hacker. This widely and mostly incorrect use of the term Hacker led to the fact, that the word is in the public awareness always associates with something negative. Everybody who was involved with computers longer than Windows 95 is available (which is now more than 10 years) might know that beginning in the 60’s up to the mid 80’s the word Hacker was meant more positive and was a promotion for someone called so.
Thinking about the early and positive sense of the word I would like trying to give a definition of a Satellite Hacker in that sense.
A Satellite Hacker is a person which is qualified in detecting, exploring, analyzing and decoding unknown satellite signals and satellite functions without harming the explored system and without behaving with a malicious attitude.
This short definition is what I understand when the word Hacker is used in any area of modern technological life. Therfore this definition is not necessarily restricted to people messing around with satellite signals. With some minor changes this definition can also be applied to people in the field of computer software, hardware, chip reengineering, etc.
It shall also be mentioned, that this definition of a Hacker does not require him to act lawfull but only non-malicious to the infrastructure as such he is exploring. This might led to some debate but from my point of view there are a lot of laws in modern society which are at least questionable if not obsolete and unnecessary surpressing, made by people in the legislative who have mostly no idea what they are doing.
Furthermore this definition is not intented to give the word Hacker a moral background in the sense of national laws.
I invite your suggestions for revising this document. I plan to review and revise this document as the need arises.
Copyright (C) 02/2003 by Howard Fuhs
All Rights Reserved!