Author of „The Happy Hacker”

In your own words define „hacker”.
Someone who can’t resist exploring computers and communications networks to their fullest. Its an obsession, passion, disease — take your pick.

I understand that hackers assume an online nickname to become known by – how did you acquire your nickname?
I don’t have a nickname. The uberest of uberhackers (not that I am one of them) rarely use handles. I’m thinking of Linus Torvalds, Larry Wall, Eric Raymond, Mark Ludwig, Pete Shipley.

What is your technical background. (Which platform do you prefer PC/MAC? What is your online background. Do you do networking? Do you know programming
MS Industrial engineering — great for understanding complex human/machine systems. Lots of theoretical background. Shade-tree hackers make fun of finite state machine, Turing machine etc. theory, but they actually help focus the mind. Of course any real hacker can’t resist learning to program. Hacking without programming is like a blind man learning to appreciate Rembrandt. He can say the right things and pass an art appreciation exam, but he’s missing something big.

Estimate how much time you spend online per week. During that time what activities do you perform?
Groan. I’m embarrassed. Hmm, I mostly gather info for consulting or writing projects. And read and write lots of email, stuff like „Where do I enter the finger command?” „How do I telnet?” „Where can I get a good shell account?” „I need to get my boyfriend’s password so I can find out whether he is cheating on me.”

But every now and then I go exploring:):)

Are you employed? (If so describe what you do for a living?)
Jobs are for lusers. I make money consulting and writing. Some hackers think I’m just into hacking for the money. They’re just jealous because I found ways to make money at it.

Are you in a stable relationship? (Describe briefly. Do not name names)
Married, four daughters.

Do you have much contact with your peers (hackers)? As a woman how are you treated by fellow hackers?
Lots of guys on the Internet flame me like crazy, imagining I’m in this to seduce teen boys or make a fortune narcing. Sheesh, take a reality pill, d00dz! But with local hackers — we all get along well. Every hacker I’ve encountered who lives within 500 miles is laid back and fun to hang with.

Is the treatment you receive from hackers different than that in the workplace?
The small minority of hackers who are running this silly Jihad to run me off the Internet behave abominably. But the local hackers are great people who behave as politely as the corporate folks I consult for. Of course, some of the local hackers dress outrageously and wear black nail polish and stuff — I don’t want you to think just because they are polite that the New Mexico hacking scene is full of guys in three piece suits.

Do you feel it is important for women to learn technology – if so ,why?
Its important for some women to learn technology. It’s fun and a good way to make a living. But truly good technology becomes invisible. Who ever says, whooie, I’m going to *tremble* use a refrigerator! Then *eek* drive a car. A light switch! Sheesh, at many hotels nowadays even the doorknobs use microprocessors to work the keys. So I’m not going to knock myself out convincing women to get hip to technology.

What is your opinion about the media coverage of court cases such as „Kevin Mitnick” ?
They get awfully excited over awfully little. They want to get excited, they should have covered the times the AGIS Internet backbone got shut down in 1997. Or the war against spammers that has driven Cyber Promotions off the Internet. Those events illuminate the shadow warfare going on today on the Internet. Who should be allowed to use the Internet? Some hacker vigilantes are picking and choosing who should be on the Net. That’s news.