In one sense it's silly to argue about the ``true'' meaning of a word. A word means whatever people use it to mean. I am not the Academie Française; I can't force Newsweek to use the word ``hacker'' according to my official definition.

Still, understanding the etymological history of the word ``hacker'' may help in understanding the current social situation.

The concept of hacking entered the computer culture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the 1960s. Popular opinion at MIT posited that there are two kinds of students, tools and hackers. A “tool” is someone who attends class regularly, is always to be found in the library when no class is meeting, and gets straight as. A ``hacker'' is the opposite: someone who never goes to class, who in fact sleeps all day, and who spends the night pursuing recreational activities rather than studying. There was thought to be no middle ground.

What does this have to do with computers? Originally, nothing. But there are standards for success as a hacker, just as grades form a standard for success as a tool. The true hacker can't just sit around all night; he must pursue some hobby with dedication and flair. It can be telephones, or railroads (model, real, or both), or science fiction fandom, or ham radio, or broadcast radio. It can be more than one of these. Or it can be computers. [In 1986, the word ``hacker'' is generally used among MIT students to refer not to computer hackers but to building hackers, people who explore roofs and tunnels where they're not supposed to be.]

A ``computer hacker,'' then, is someone who lives and breathes computers, who knows all about computers, who can get a computer to do anything. Equally important, though, is the hacker's attitude. Computer programming must be a hobby, something done for fun, not out of a sense of duty or for the money. (It's okay to make money, but that can't be the reason for hacking.)

A hacker is an aesthete.

Beautiful and Practical Hacking? – Putting things in their proper perspective.

There are specialties within computer hacking. An algorithm hacker knows all about the best algorithm for any problem. A system hacker knows about designing and maintaining operating systems. And a ``password hacker'' knows how to find out someone else's password. That's what Newsweek should be calling them.

Someone who sets out to crack the security of a system for financial gain is not a hacker at all. It's not that a hacker can't be a thief, but a hacker can't be a professional thief. A hacker must be fundamentally an amateur, even though hackers can get paid for their expertise. A password hacker whose primary interest is in learning how the system works doesn't therefore necessarily refrain from stealing information or services, but someone whose primary interest is in stealing isn't a hacker. It's a matter of emphasis.

Brian Harvey
University of California, Berkeley

The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics have been defined by the Computer Ethics Institute. Author Dr. Ramon C. Barquin. Here is our interpretation of them:

1. Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people:

If it is unethical to harm people by making a bomb, for example, it is equally bad to write a program that handles the timing of the bomb. Or, to put it more simply, if it is bad to steal and destroy other people’s books and notebooks, it is equally bad to access and destroy their files.

2. Thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer work:

Computer viruses are small programs that disrupt other people’s computer work by destroying their files, taking huge amounts of computer time or memory, or by simply displaying annoying messages. Generating and consciously spreading computer viruses is unethical.

3. Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's files:

Reading other people’s e-mail messages is as bad as opening and reading their letters: This is invading their privacy. Obtaining other people’s non-public files should be judged the same way as breaking into their rooms and stealing their documents. Text documents on the Internet may be protected by encryption.

4. Thou shalt not use a computer to steal:

Using a computer to break into the accounts of a company or a bank and transferring money should be judged the same way as robbery. It is illegal and there are strict laws against it.

5. Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness:

The Internet can spread untruth as fast as it can spread truth. Putting out false "information" to the world is bad. For instance, spreading false rumors about a person or false propaganda about historical events is wrong.

6. Thou shalt not use or copy software for which you have not paid:

Software is an intellectual product. In that way, it is like a book: Obtaining illegal copies of copyrighted software is as bad as photocopying a copyrighted book. There are laws against both. Information about the copyright owner can be embedded by a process called watermarking into pictures in the digital format.

7. Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources without authorization:

Multiuser systems use user id’s and passwords to enforce their memory and time allocations, and to safeguard information. You should not try to bypass this authorization system. Hacking a system to break and bypass the authorization is unethical.

8. Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual output:

For example, the programs you write for the projects assigned in this course are your own intellectual output. Copying somebody else’s program without proper authorization is software piracy and is unethical. Intellectual property is a form of ownership, and may be protected by copyright laws.

9. Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you write:

You have to think about computer issues in a more general social framework: Can the program you write be used in a way that is harmful to society? For example, if you are working for an animation house, and are producing animated films for children, you are responsible for their contents. Do the animations include scenes that can be harmful to children? In the United States, the Communications Decency Act was an attempt by lawmakers to ban certain types of content from Internet websites to protect young children from harmful material. That law was struck down because it violated the free speech principles in that country's constitution. The discussion, of course, is going on.

10. Thou shalt use a computer in ways that show consideration and respect:

Just like public buses or banks, people using computer communications systems may find themselves in situations where there is some form of queuing and you have to wait for your turn and generally be nice to other people in the environment. The fact that you cannot see the people you are interacting with does not mean that you can be rude to them.

See http://www.ccsr.cms.dmu.ac.uk/resources/professionalism/codes/cei_command_com.html for further comments on the ten commandments.

Laith Mohammed Murad.

Ethics deals with placing a “value” on acts according to whether they are “good” or “bad”. Every society has its rules about whether certain acts are ethical or not. These rules have been established as a result of consensus in society and are often written into laws.

When computers first began to be used in society at large, the absence of ethical standards about their use and related issues caused some problems. However, as their use became widespread in every facet of our lives, discussions in computer ethics resulted in some kind of a consensus. Today, many of these rules have been formulated as laws, either national or international. Computer crimes and computer fraud are now common terms. There are laws against them, and everyone is responsible for knowing what constitutes computer crime and computer fraud.

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a disease that occurs when the lungs get inflamed, usually due to infection. It’s more common problem than most people think. Usually it’s a mild disease, but some forms are very dangerous and require a consultation with a doctor. An example is the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS, whose cause and cure have yet to be discovered. About 30 different kinds of germs infect the lungs and cause pneumonia. Infected lungs leak fluids and shed dead cells. This material clogs up air sacs and makes it hard for the lungs to do their job of getting oxygen into the blood. Without enough oxygen, none of the cells in your body work as they should. Pneumonia can affect just one section of the lung or many sections of the lung. When both lungs are affected, it’s called double pneumonia. Pneumonia generally lasts about two weeks. But it may take a month or more for the infected lung or lungs to clear up. Thus, when recovering from pneumonia, even healthy people may feel tired or weak.

Causes

Viruses cause about half of all cases of pneumonia. Bacteria are the most common cause of pneumonia in adults over the age of 30. Fungi can also cause pneumonia. Many of these germs are all around us. They usually can’t get past a healthy person’s natural defenses. That’s why pneumonia is most common in elderly people, in cigarette smokers, in alcoholics, and in people suffering from other diseases such as flu.

Symptoms

1. Viral pneumonia usually comes with a combination of low fever and chills, muscle aches, fatigue, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, chest pain, sore throat, and coughing. The cough generally brings up only a small amount of mucus.

2. Bacterial pneumonia usually comes with a combination of high fever, cough with thick greenich or rust-colored mucus, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, sharp chest pain that is worse with deep breaths, abdominal pain, and severe fatigue. There can be profuse sweating and mental confusion.

3. In children, labored and rapid breathing (more then 45 breaths a minute); sudden onset of fever; cough; wheezing; and bluish skin, lips, or fingertips are general signs of pneumonia.

4. Mycoplasma pneumonia is often very benign and resolves without any treatment. Symptoms can consist of violent attacks of coughing that bring up only a small amount of mucus. There are chills and fever; some patients become very weak for up to a month.

Fever as a symptom and why it should be managed at the onset

Fever is a common symptom among the kinds of pneumonia. That’s because fever is, by itself, the body’s warning signal that there is an infection. It is very important that fever not e ignored so that a disease, whether pneumonia or not, can be detected and further complications be avoided. In the case of pneumonia, the best thing to do is to manage your fever at the first sign.

Managing Fever at the Onset

Whether it’s mild or high, you should take Paracetamol to help alleviate your suffering from fever. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid physical and mental stress. It is also advisable to dress in light clothing so that you feel comfortable and your temperature can stabilize. After managing your fever, this does not mean that the rest of the symptoms should be taken lightly.

When to consult a doctor?

1. Your symptoms indicate you have any form of pneumonia. In many instances, you need immediate treatment to recover and avoid complications.

2. Your sharp chest pain does not get better with prescribed treatment; you have increased shortness of breath; or your fingernails, toenails, or skin becomes dark or develops a bluish tinge after diagnosis. Your lungs are not getting enough oxygen and you need medical assistance.

3. You cough up blood; you may need additional treatment for a worsening infection.

Boost your Immune System

How do you fight disease?

Your first line of defense against diseases is your Immune System. It is designed to defend against millions of bacteria, microbes, viruses, toxins and parasites that always threaten your body with invasion. The immune system is always on-guard against these invaders and works around the clock to keep you healthy.

How does the Immune System fight diseases?

A healthy immune system can recognize foreign substances called antigens. Once these are etedted, it immediately puts itself into action. The immune system is like an army. It has soldiers that carry out its objectives and they are specialized. Thymocytes are the main defenders. Helper cells are the aggressive cells used against bacteria, virus, fungus and tumor cells and Suppressor cells protect against “over-reactions” by immune cells. Other immune cells purge and eliminate toxins and correct degenerations in the body.

Can the Immune System be defeated?

Like all bodily functions, a weakened immune system can be defeated by a strong antigen. That is why you need to keep it strong all the time.

How can you have a strong Immune System?

The Immune System can be strengthened by doing the following:

- Exercising regularly

- Eating a balanced diet

- Follow proper hygiene

- Drink supplements that can help boost the immune system

- Always remember to consult your physician

Personality Structure

• Three major systems that interact to govern human behavior: the id, the ego, and the superego.

• The Id. According to Freud, the id is the most primitive part of the personality and part from which the ego and the superego later develop. It is present in the newborn infant and consists of the basic biological impulses or drives: the need to eat, drink, to eliminate wastes, to avoid pain, to gain sexual (sensual) pleasure.

• Freud believed that aggression is also a basic biological drive. In fact, he believed that sexual and aggressive drives were the most important instinctual determinants of personality throughout life. Like a child, the id operates on the pleasure principle: It continually strives to obtain pleasure and to avoid pain, regardless of the external consequences.

• The Ego. Children soon learn that their impulses cannot always be gratified immediately. Hunger will not be lessened until someone provides food. Relief of bladder or bowel pressure must be delayed until the bathroom is reached.

• A new part of personality, the ego, develops as the young child learns to consider the demands of reality. The ego obeys the reality principle: The gratification of impulses must be delayed until the situation is appropriate. The ego, thus s essentially the executive of the personality: It decides which id impulses will be satisfied and in what manner.

• The Superego. The third part of the personality is the superego, which judges whether actions are right or wrong. More generally, the superego is the internalized representation of the values and morals of society. It comprises the individual’s conscience as well as his or her image of the morally ideal person (called the ego ideal).

• The superego develops in response to parental rewards and punishments. Initially, parents control children’s behavior directly through reward and punishment.

• By incorporating parental standards into the superego, a child brings behavior under his or her control. Children no longer need anyone to tell them it is wrong to steal; their superego tells them. Violating the superego’s standards, or even the impulse to do so, produces anxiety – beginning with anxiety over loss of parental love.

The Psychoanalytic Approach

• Sigmund Freud – the creator of psychoanalytic theory, one of the towering intellectual figures of the twentieth century.

• The psychoanalytic account of personality remains the most comprehensive and influential theory of personality ever created. Its impact extends well beyond psychology, influencing the social sciences, the humanities, the arts, and society generally.

• Freud began his scientific career as a neurologist, using conventional medical procedures to treat patients suffering from various “nervous” disorders. Because those procedures often failed, he turned to the technique of hypnosis but soon abandoned it.

• Free association – the method which Freud eventually discovered, in which a patient is instructed to say everything that comes to mind, regardless of how trivial or embarrassing it may seem . By listening carefully to these verbal associations, Freud detected consistent themes that he believed were manifestations of unconscious wishes and fears. He found similar themes in the recall of dreams and early childhood memories.

• Conscious – our current awareness

• Preconscious – all information that is not currently “on our mind” but that we could bring into consciousness if called upon to do so (for example, the name of the resident of the Philippines).

• Unconscious – the storehouse of impulses, wishes, and inaccessible memories that affect our thoughts and behavior.

Others call it “ego massage”. We call it considerateness, unselfishness, empathy or plain kindness. It sees the need of the other person for a feeling of importance, it also serves that need. As a result it makes us win and influence that person. Our opponent is our inner tendency to unconsciously say or do things which feed our own ego – and oftentimes against that of the opposite party. We make remarks which, through unmeant, damage or offend the other person’s self-esteem and our popularity. Ego massage, on the other hand, means the feeding of the self- esteem or ego of somebody else to make him feel important. This “massaging” will redound to our benefit. He will think we are worth their support and friendship.

When you do ego massaging without due and genuine concentration on the other person’s true worth, you are soon discovered to be flattering only. And instead of gaining appreciation and influence, you lose the sympathy of the other person. If you can become a pro in ego massaging, you will easily win friends, become popular anywhere and succeed in whatever you set out to do.

It is, thus, important that you acquire an authentic regard for others in devising a way to get what you want done. This is of primary importance because in you is a strong inclination to promote your own interests first. It is not only strong and natural. It also often goes unnoticed or becomes too strong to control. Furthermore, it is unconscious. Unless great effort is taken to control it, it will make you not only lose friends but also become unpopular.

This tendency makes you do and say things which enhance your own ego – rather than somebody else’s. Or to let out some unthought-of remark or behavior in decongesting a thought that urges to be expressed. You are often prisoners of suppressed feelings and desires which control you. If you do not acknowledge and deal with these suppressions, they will prevent you from genuinely considering other people’s ego. You will not succeed.

Inversely and consequently, endeavor to enhance the ego of the other person – with every word and action you make. This is the singular principle of influencing others and succeeding through it.

You may say that it is not always possible to be conscious of other people’s ego needs all the time. You have your own interests to protect and activities to perform which occupy most of your conscious time. This is also why have not succeeded. If you want to succeed, make up your mind to give other people’s need as much concern as yours.

It works both ways. Ne is when you make remarks which offend without your meaning to. What makes you do so is your constant attention on yourself and your concerns, the feeding of our ego. But someone else is with you and has as much need for attention as you do.

The other is when you think that somebody who makes a tactless comment must have meant to offend or destroy you. He may just be expressing a feeling. It is you in reverse. If you understood your own tendency to satisfy the deep desire to express, there too is that tendency in others. You should therefore not feel offended by their tactless remarks or behavior.

This rule is very much applicable to business organizations. Executives or heads habitually make tactless remarks at their subordinates who can do little beyond keeping quiet. Many of these executives pretend or say that they want to succeed in their work. But they are really having a problem with their broken ego. This is why they ego-trip on their subordinates. Remarks like “You are not as knowledgeable as we are” or “what do you know about?” can cripple an employee’s self- esteem. But they also rob you of his sympathy, his efficiency and your business.

Even in personal life, you commit this singular mistake of overlooking the other person’s need to protect or enhance his ego. Standing-up on dates is one very good example. Whether the appointment is business or personal, do not stand anyone up. Not only does he waste his time, you also make him feel unimportant. You feel ignored and shelved for “some more important” person or appointment. Being late in it is a show of a lack of consideration towards the person who makes an effort to be punctual.

It then takes a lot of thought and a large heart to make it with people – and with success. Succeeding is not just based on thinking out a way into others. It also involves a feeling in into them. For people feel more than think. You do best when you feel for them and as they do. Only by doing so do you garner lasing success.

From among countless rules in winning friends and gaining popularity, there is one that is basic, most important and most effective. It is in two parts.

The first part goes:

Always take every honest opportunity to say and do those things which make people feel bigger, better and more important.

And the second goes:

Never, unless it is absolutely necessary for their own good or unless circumstances allow no alternative, say or do things, even in a joke, which hurt people’s feelings, or which make him feel smaller, meaner or less important.

Not many of us will find it is easy and natural to observe something good about someone and compliment him for it. We have our own interests to serve. We do not have much time to look around for something good to tell about others. But if you really want to succeed with people, do this. Be careful though, not to make it sound like a flattery or even sarcasm. The other person usually knows his good and weak points. If you compliment him with something which is obviously untrue, it may defeat your purpose altogether. On the other hand, there are those who are called “ego trippers”. They seem to make it their business to humiliate or embarrass others with their tactless remarks especially in public.

Always apply the golden rule to make sure you observe the second part effectively. Do to others what you want done to you. Before doing or saying something, imagine being in the other person’s position and having the same attitude. It will be your basis for judging the rightness or wrongness of your comment or action. This is called empathy. People who empathize are very often very popular and happy people. They are considerate and under standing. They make people feel worthy. This is not an easy thing to do. But it can be done not only in the drive for success, but also for the virtue itself.

Lists on how to remember names and faces.

1. Get the spelling and pronunciation of the name clearly and correctly the first time. Do not assume that you will easily remember the person and his name.

2. Repeatedly mention the name during the talk to be able to retain it well.

3. Associate the person’s name with some of his characteristics. This is usually done through the sound, color, taste, etc. of the words to be associated.

4. Devise a system of describing personal appearances. Make this system a detailed one in order to be effective. Writing it down also makes memorizing more effective.

5. Follow the entire program thoughtfully, conscientiously, and persistently. It is only by doing so that the ability to remember and recall can become instant and accurate

Many of those who consider themselves failures in their fields or lives are simply those who did not know how to make friends. It was the one factor the lacked when all else were present. But it is not too late. Here are suggestions on how to please people in order to win their friendship and your popularity.

1. Greet others pleasantly and promptly.

People always want to be noticed. This is true even of the self-conscious are really even more in need of it although they often refuse to admit it. There is nothing more flattering then to be noticed and quickly greeted by another. You are yourself flattered if someone promptly recognizes and greets you.

2. Memorize names and use them frequently.

Dale Carnegie says that the sweetest music to anybody’s ear is the sound of his own name. If you can use the names especially of new friends, you are on your way to winning them. Click here on tips to remember names and faces

3. Talk less and Listen more

Form the habit of discovering the interests of the other person. Ask enough questions to make him come out with his likes. It is rather odd, but even the person who is selling a product, service or idea must listen more than talk. This is if he hopes to make the sale.

Listen to the other party and be interested in what he is saying. Don’t just impatiently await your chance to speak. This superficial way of listening does not win friends.

4. Appreciate others and Show your Appreciation

Receiving appreciation is one of the strongest human motivations. People want to be appreciated for what they are and what they do. It is even the dominating factor in many who from childhood have been denied appreciation.

Your appreciation can be shown in simple ways. One is by sending cards or gifts. Another is by expressing it verbally but sincerely. Regardless of how you show it, a sense of appreciation always lifts the spirit. This lifting of the spirit naturally leads to liking the person who is appreciating. He will be remembered for it – and for a long time.

5. Substitute “Will you” for ”You must”

Even when you are in authority, it is still a mark of refinement to say “will you?” instead of “you must”. The difference is courtesy. And courtesy can spell a greater difference in the person to whom the order is addressed.

6. Maintain as Large a Circle of Friends as Possible

Consciously establish this circle, consisting of people from any type of occupation, taste and strata of life. And be genuinely interested in your friends’ fields of work.

From this circle, choose with great care a few who will constitute your inner circle. They will inspire you to work hard to achieve success and betterment. They will not lead you to deteriorate and pursue trivial goals.

Your inner-wheel friends should also have high standards of moral and spiritual conduct. They should observe business ethics and good taste.

There is a saying whish goes, “tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are.” Still another says “birds of a same feather flock together.” The group you belong to reflects your character. Gangs who make trouble are judged as groups of trouble-makers. They are branded condescendingly and cast out. And the opposite is true if one joins, or is associated with, a group of high repute.

Choose the kind of people you want to influence you. Normally, people of the same pursuits go together. Those with the same occupations or interests do, too. Whether laudable or notorious, this is almost always the case among associations of persons.

7. Avoid Arguments

Few people can argue without becoming unduly excited and affected by the argument. So if the argument is not that important, either ignore it or agree with the other party. Don’t feel defeated by doing so. Your opponent does not win just because he argues. You win twice: first, because your stand is right. And second, because you do not waste your time arguing on something which you believe is right and cannot lose. Most of all, you don’t lose a friend.

There are many argumentative people around us. Keep your distance from them. It is not beneficial to be with them. Look instead for those who want to live in harmony with others. Befriend those who are not on the prowl to defeat others in an argument. They are suffering from the damaged ego which they must dress by arguing and winning the argument. Don’t have anything to do with them. However, remain friendly.

But argue calmly if you are caught in one and you feel you must defend your point. If the other party does nit give in, simply nod and acknowledge his stand. You don’t have to insist on your point. You will eventually win if your argument is the real or better one. This will happen without making an enemy out of him, too.

8. Smile Always

It may not always be possible, but always try. The person who has a smile for all is likely to receive all the smiles back. This shows his sunny disposition. And people, even the un-smiling ones, are attracted to those who smile sincerely. So why not use this simple but effective weapon? It can bring you the friends you want to win.

Why do only a few smiles nowadays? Because life seems hard on most of us. And also because it has not been our practice to smile at everyone, especially at strangers. We have the unpleasant impression that he or she is apt to something foolish. Especially if the smile is given to a stranger.

Yet there is nothing wrong and everything right about smiling. If goodwill or good intent is behind that smile, go ahead and give it. Let other people get embarrassed by misconstruing your friendliness. But there will be those who will respond to that smile and become your friends. There is no harm. Every blessing should come your way because you please others by greeting them with a smile.

9. Spread your Interest outside of you

Be genuinely interested in others because they are indeed interesting. You will be doubly rewarded. First, you will make more friends who are even interesting. And second, you will enjoy the interesting things you find in them.

The Golden Rule applies in any aspect of life. You receive what you give. If it is a good thing, oftentimes you receive it a hundred times over. The interest you show others will make you an interesting person yourself. It will more than you pay off. It will bring you more goodness than you expect or work for.

The other blessing is your detachment from unpleasant thoughts and feelings. That is a great reward in itself. You substitute unpleasant emotions for good ones that come in. because you put your attention and interest I others this time.

10. As much as Possible, Look at the Discussion from the Other Person’s Point of View.

Isn’t this how you want others to deal with you? By all means, do it to them! You will make hundreds of friends in the process. This can happen because you demonstrate that you understand and side with them. Friends will flock to you, for sure.

But this does not automatically happen. You cannot do it or you don’t do it effectively if you are not used to doing it. You can’t have many friends if all you care about is what you think or feel. There are other people in this world. Everybody wants to be heard and attended to, just like you. Others will give that attention if you give it to them first. Develop the habit of considering the other person’s position. Then it will be easy for you to see a discussion or situation from his point of view. This is not a mere understanding. It is empathy which only a few are capable of.

You don’t turn emphatic overnight. You first deal with your inborn self-centeredness. Free yourself of it. Then and only then can you dare empathize. And when you do, you scoop more friends than you need.

11. Employees must be Openly Appreciated.

How to encourage employees to do better in the office has been a problem to management. This was the chore of the first management expert who took a serious study of employer- employee relations and their problems.

Employees, especially those in the rank-and-file, are in bad need of a sincere and frequent show of appreciation from management. The now defunct management-by-objectives movement of the 60’s and 70’s included participative management as part of MBO. It reflects the appreciation and regard that management has for employees.

Thank and appreciate individual employees singly, both in private and in public. This works and goes a long way in motivating and moving the spirits of those in the bottom ranks to greater efficiency.

12. Employers must receive just as Much Understanding and Consideration

After all, they are human, too. They have their own problems just like the employees. Bigger problems, for sure. Just because they are on top of the organization does not mean that they are less susceptible to failure. Or are able to do more than is allowed them. They too need understanding and assistance. They need friends as well.

Have you ever heard of friendless bosses? This is because by the nature of their function, they become strict and exacting. Potential friends avoid them. Ordinary employees do. They seem not to deserve friends they who most badly need these friends. Isn’t it ironic? More so because they are the ones who possess power over people. Yet they cannot make friends out of those people.

Employers need just what employees’ need. Recognition, attention, consideration, empathy and friends. They may not look like they do. Nor do they say or admit the need. But deep inside, they all ache for it.