Evelands Dot Net

One of the really cool things about free software is how it fosters hacking.

Please note my use of the terms hack, hacking or hacker. These phrases do not mean what 99% of the world associates with them. So I don't mean:

• Unauthorized entry into a computer. That would be a cracker
• Downloading a k-rad, ha0x3r tool and running it. That would be a script kiddie
• Trying to get folks to click on your email link in Outlook so they join your botnet. That's an asshat
• Angelina Jolie in that movie no self respecing coder admits to watching, yet has eight copies of. She would be key lime pie

In this case, I mean extending the abilities and usefullness of technology.

The Linux Kernel is a prime example of software hacking.
A good example of hardware hacking is the use of the PC's parallel port as an interface to console gamepads. With a little soldering, it's possible to attach controllers for the NES, SNES and others to your PC and have them function as "normal" joysticks.

And it turns out, these even work in Windows.