true hacker

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

true hacker

   <person> (By analogy with "trufan" from SF fandom) One who
   exemplifies the primary values of hacker culture, especially
   competence and helpfulness to other hackers.  A high
   compliment.  "He spent 6 hours helping me bring up UUCP and
   netnews on my FOOBAR 4000 last week - manifestly the act of a
   true-hacker".

   Compare {demigod}, opposite: {munchkin}.

   [{Jargon File}]

   (1996-01-07)