Computers: Let Us Now Praise Famous Hackers

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As the industry has matured, so have the Stephen Wozniak pioneers who helped build it. Most of the high priests of hacking have long ago grown out of the pranksterism associated with their name, and many feel it is time they set an example for the next generation of computer fans. "It's one thing for a high school kid to show off how he can dial the phone for free," says Brian Harvey, an M.I.T. hacker turned high school teacher. "It's quite another for an adult to go around encouraging schoolkids to steal."

— By Philip Elmer-DeWitt