Type 1: in defense of hacking
The Homebrew Computer Club (1975-1986) was an informal group of computer hobbyists who met to trade hardware, software, and information about computers in Silicon Valley. The Homebrew hobbyists believed in what tech journalist Steven Levy describes as the Hacker Ethic: Access to computers--and anything that might teach you something about the way the world works--should be unlimited and total. Always yield to the Hands-On Imperative! [1]
In addition to helping launch the computer revolution, the Homebrew launched the careers of high-profile hackers and entrepreneurs, including Steve "Woz" Wozniak and Apple Computers. Some believe that Woz best exemplified the Hacker Ethic and saw the Apple as Homebrew's legacy. [2] The Apple II was released in 1977 and was marketed for ordinary users. As the market for microcomputers expanded, hackers faced new opposition by the market economy. Some readers of Softalk embraced the Hacker Ethic and believed that software was knowledge that should remain free. Whether or not readers were wrote in to Softalk to defend the Hacker Ethic, piracy was rampant. A 1980 Softalk survey found the average Apple owner possessed over $100 worth of pirated software. [3]
In addition to helping launch the computer revolution, the Homebrew launched the careers of high-profile hackers and entrepreneurs, including Steve "Woz" Wozniak and Apple Computers. Some believe that Woz best exemplified the Hacker Ethic and saw the Apple as Homebrew's legacy. [2] The Apple II was released in 1977 and was marketed for ordinary users. As the market for microcomputers expanded, hackers faced new opposition by the market economy. Some readers of Softalk embraced the Hacker Ethic and believed that software was knowledge that should remain free. Whether or not readers were wrote in to Softalk to defend the Hacker Ethic, piracy was rampant. A 1980 Softalk survey found the average Apple owner possessed over $100 worth of pirated software. [3]
REad SOFTALK Letters ABOUT THE HACKER ETHIC
Softalk letters-to-the-editor are historic artifacts, and offer glimpses into early computing culture. The letters below are from readers who embrace the Hacker Ethic and appear in Softalk's "Open Discussion" section from 1980 to 1984.
References
[1] Levy, Steven. 2010. Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution. Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly Media Inc.
[2] I.b.i.d.
[3] Yuen, Matthew. October 1980. "Pirate, Thief: Who Dares to Catch Him?" Softalk Magazine, Volume 1, Number 2.
[1] Levy, Steven. 2010. Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution. Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly Media Inc.
[2] I.b.i.d.
[3] Yuen, Matthew. October 1980. "Pirate, Thief: Who Dares to Catch Him?" Softalk Magazine, Volume 1, Number 2.