News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:The difference between a programmer & a hacker by yummyfajitas on Tuesday April 24, 2012 @07:53AM (#3883489)
People already do everything you said. It's pretty easy to spot. Just look for a bunch of forked projects with no commits by the person in question, a high ratio of forked to original projects, etc.

The biggest giveaway is that there are no projects which are just for fun.

Incidentally, I've observed that the "just for fun" projects is a good trick for identifying a serious economist as well. A real economist Tyler Cowen obsesses over the economics of finding good restaurants and whatever else tickles his fancy, whereas a pretender like Krugman is all serious policy issues (both examples of economists who's policy I tend to disagree with).

Re:The difference between a programmer & a hacker by mdkess on Tuesday April 24, 2012 @09:39AM (#3883853)
Re:The difference between a programmer & a hacker by yummyfajitas on Tuesday April 24, 2012 @09:54AM (#3883912)
I should have clarified that I meant modern Krugman. Back in the day he was awesome. Thanks.

[edit: just noticed someone downmodded you. WTF, how does your valuable correction to my comment deserve a downvote?!?]