[W/K] :: hack mode

  hack mode n. 1. What one is in when hacking, of course. 2. More
     specifically, a Zen-like state of total focus on The Problem that may be
     achieved when one is hacking (this is why every good hacker is part
     mystic). Ability to enter such concentration at will correlates strongly
     with wizardliness; it is one of the most important skills learned during
     larval stage. Sometimes amplified as `deep hack mode'.
  
     Being yanked out of hack mode (see priority interrupt) may be
     experienced as a physical shock, and the sensation of being in hack mode
     is more than a little habituating. The intensity of this experience is
     probably by itself sufficient explanation for the existence of hackers,
     and explains why many resist being promoted out of positions where they
     can code. See also cyberspace (sense 2).
  
     Some aspects of hacker etiquette will appear quite odd to an observer
     unaware of the high value placed on hack mode. For example, if someone
     appears at your door, it is perfectly okay to hold up a hand (without
     turning one's eyes away from the screen) to avoid being interrupted. One
     may read, type, and interact with the computer for quite some time
     before further acknowledging the other's presence (of course, he or she
     is reciprocally free to leave without a word). The understanding is that
     you might be in hack mode with a lot of delicate state (sense 2) in
     your head, and you dare not swap that context out until you have
     reached a good point to pause. See also juggling eggs.
  
  

  hack mode
       
           Engaged in hacking.  A Zen-like state of total
          focus on The Problem that may be achieved when one is hacking
          (this is why every good hacker is part mystic).  Ability to
          enter such concentration at will correlates strongly with
          wizardliness; it is one of the most important skills learned
          during larval stage.  Sometimes amplified as "deep hack
          mode".
       
          Being yanked out of hack mode (see priority interrupt) may
          be experienced as a physical shock, and the sensation of being
          in hack mode is more than a little habituating.  The intensity
          of this experience is probably by itself sufficient
          explanation for the existence of hackers, and explains why
          many resist being promoted out of positions where they can
          code.  See also cyberspace.
       
          Some aspects of hackish etiquette will appear quite odd to an
          observer unaware of the high value placed on hack mode.  For
          example, if someone appears at your door, it is perfectly okay
          to hold up a hand (without turning one's eyes away from the
          screen) to avoid being interrupted.  One may read, type, and
          interact with the computer for quite some time before further
          acknowledging the other's presence (of course, he or she is
          reciprocally free to leave without a word).  The understanding
          is that you might be in hack mode with a lot of delicate
          state in your head, and you dare not swap that context out
          until you have reached a good point to pause.  See also
          juggling eggs.
       
          [{Jargon File]
       
          (1996-07-31)