“The World In Which We Live”

	How do you write an introduction to the thirtieth issue of your ezine?  I wish I knew, because for the life of me I couldn’t think of anything.  The hacker world has changed so much since I first began this publication, and if you don’t believe me, take a moment to think about it.  Instead of staying in bed five more minutes, just give some thought to how much the community, both individually and as a whole, has changed.  When we began, “Hackers” was relatively new to Sci Fi Channel and other networks, so we were basically riding the wave of all the kids who wanted to be just like Zero Cool.  In fact, one of the first articles of our premiere issue talked about this craze.  It was titled “Welcome to the New World” and chronicled a small fraction of hacker history, focusing especially on why so many people were coming on board.  It was only just over two years ago, and yet it feels like everything is completely different.  Maybe it’s just me, or maybe most of the new guys got sick and tired of learning how to crack password files, but it feels like an entirely different world since then.
	It’s a better, stronger community.  It’s a community that has grown together through such hardships as DMCA, PATRIOT, MPAA, RIAA, and any other letters you’d like to stick together.  Hackers have, as I hoped they would, shown the world the dangers of these laws/bills/organizations, and some people are even listening.  We’ll never be able to change everyone’s mind, some people refuse to even question authority, but others are more open.  They’ve realized that just because you think differently, doesn’t necessarily make you an enemy.  Hackers have remained independent of the world of popular culture, while at the same time, shown people everywhere that they’re not outsiders at all.  They’re individuals who have something to say, and a solid understanding of the world around them.  After all, who else could explain why increased “cyberterrorism” is just a clever term thrown out by guys like Donald “Big Brother” Rumsfeld?
	And now, to ensure at least one paradox is brought into this introduction, allow me to explain why many things have remained the same.  Hackers are still playing with technology, still figuring things out and amazing people the world over with their skill.  They’ve taken the impossible and said “been there, done that,” when everyone said there was no possible way.  From ptrace exploits to integer overflows, hackers are the equivalent of computer games…they’re forcing programmers everywhere to push the limits of their code.  They’re bettering software in general, and showing others how to do the same.  Perhaps someday, when the world isn’t so blinded by Microsoft, they’ll see that shoddy code cannot be accepted.  The danger of “cyberterrorism” may be over embellished, but there are criminals out there who wouldn’t mind sneaking through a nice, convenient, Microsoft security hole.
	It’s hard for some people to understand what I’m saying.  Not about the changes, or lack thereof, but about the idea of hackers in general.  After thirty issues, I probably don’t have to go into the old “what IS a hacker?” spiel, but some people demand proof that there’s a greater good involved.  Hackers are not accepted as, let’s say, ooh I don’t know, Microsoft because they don’t fit the mold of corporate America.  That mold being “if you make it, you should sell it.”  It’s the capitalist thing to do, and anyone who simply writes code or hacks away at computer problems for fun must be up to no good.  They must be antisocial computer geeks with nothing better to do except hack into personal computers!  After all, the people working for Microsoft are at work, another capitalist ideal.  They’re earning money for their talents, they’re following The American Dream.  I can’t say I’ve ever really shared that dream, I’ve never craved to be just like Justin Timberlake, but maybe there’s just something wrong with me.
	Anyway, hackers are not playing by the rules.  Until they show something for their work, be it a paycheck, or a tool that can better computers as a whole, they’re useless.  Sadly, even as hackers create amazing tools they go more or less ignored by a society that wants spreadsheets and  powerpoint presentations.  Nmap?  Satan?  What the hell are those?  Can I balance my checkbook with them?  
	They’re programs created by the community, for anyone who could ever want to use them.  Marvels of their own design that can be used to improve computer security to no end, and yet they are all but forgotten.  Instead, what we get are NetIQ broadcasts advertising Microsoft software…but hey, that’s the world in which we live.  A world, an internet, dominated by business.  Hackers have no place in this world, not until they start doing what they do for money.
	What it all boils down is understanding.  People, specifically non-hackers, are confused by a group who does what they love to do.  Why be a writer if you’re never published?  Why be a singer when you don’t have a record deal?  Why make movies if the income isn’t over at least 70 million?  And most importantly, why share information freely…when you could be making a buck off of it?  What is this community of people who go around sharing information, demonstrating things instead of showing them in powerpoint presentations?
	Some people get it, some people don’t.  Some people thank hackers for showing them when they’re being ripped off, others have them thrown in prison.  Overall, things are slowly changing for the better.  The governments of the world, especially the USA’s, are always going to fill people’s mind with propaganda about what’s good, and what’s evil, there’s no stopping it.  Fortunately, by expressing ourselves as a community, and as individuals, maybe we can help change this world.  The people’s voice is getting louder everyday, regardless of what FOX News says about it.  I hope Frequency plays a role in spreading that voice.  

	So, that’s how you write an introduction to your thirtieth issue.  Interesting….  So here we are, a new look, a new format, and maybe even a louder voice than ever.  Why the change?  For starters, some people said it makes it a bit neater to give each article it’s own file.  All people have to do is look at the index, and then open the corresponding text to see the article they want to read.  But hey, let us know what you think of the changes, after all, this is your ezine.  …well ok, it’s mine MUAHAHAHA—sorry, here’s Freq30.  -screamer