This is odd, my original post to this is gone.

I just thought of calling them "Users". It was they are after all and somewhat reflects the "addictive" qualities of the 'Net.

"Hackers" is the now the popular, well-known slang for any type of computer criminal. It perfectly describes who and what they are to the general populace, far better than "decker" ever would and did.

How about something that's shortened of derivitive form of the Matrix

'Trixter
'trix runner

Anything else other than something as un-creative as hacker.
I mean, what did someone get lazy or run out of ideas just decide "We'll use hacker 'cause we can't be bothered to come up with anything better."

and yes if you like somebody elses sugestion second it. It's up to us to let the designers know what we would like the name to be. I think it's pretty safe to assume we have at least some rights for constructive input.

I like the name slicers but we probably won't get it.
I also still vote for scanners. I have couple more sugestions...

so how about ....
chip monkeys

Neuromancers - (ya it's the title of a book but everyone have been using gibsons terms anyway so why not this one) or how about

neromancer - refrence to them "burning down systems"

virtual adepts (ya I know it's being used but it fits so well!)
wireless adept

raido heads
wavers (refering to wireless connection)

pupetmasters (they do a lot at once)

controlers (same reason)

Reapers (Grid Reapers)
Oracles
Lizards (light wizards)
Hazards (hack wizards)
Chompers
Breakers
Systs, systers
Host ghosts

Hey guys! Guess what!? When SR4 comes out and they are called Hackers, in your world, you can call them whatever you want! Woopie!

Hey, guess what!? That's no reason not to have a discussion on what whould make a good name!

I know, I just thought it was funny how people were actually get mad. Like, emotionally mad, about the new name. Its sooooo not worth getting all upset about when you can simply call them whatever you want when it comes time to play your own game.

A lot of people are getting mad because they feel like that have no say in how the world is changed. So I picked something simple and decided to focus on that.

After all if if we can agree on a better name then maybe would could get it changed. I doubt the designers would just ignore us. (yes I know a lot of people feel that way right now, but I don't) at the very least that would say no. We are the people who BUY this product. Instead of just saying I don't like the term "hacker" I'm trying to find a better alternitive.

Syslords
Trixlords
Gridlords

Czars

Why do you guys hate the name Hacker so much anyways?

I actually really like Kanada's suggestion of Hazards, it's a very descriptive term, especially from the corp perspective. Not sure how well it could integrate as a term, but it and Slicer are the only terms I've seen suggested that I had an initially positive reaction to, and Slicer is apparently taken. Any input from a developer or playtester on if there is any flexibility on this? No sweat to me if their isn't, just making my thoughts if there is. I still use the term as it was before the media changed the definition to script-kiddie, so I have no real problem with it.

faustian - (sold his soul to the machine for an edge)

Well technomancers is one I don't see getting any use unless they get the rights to the name.

Technomancers were last used (I belive) in Babalyon (?) 5 and the spin off so they may have some trouble if they try to use it.

As to hackers it does discribe by todays standards an illegal act done with technology so I think it fits.

Does anyone know the Japanese term for [illicit computer user]?

The worst part is I have no idea if you're serious.

He's not. Nihongo has no L. 'Hahkul' could not possibly be Japanese.

Really, you're all impossible to take seriously. Not even a page ago, datamen, digimen, and bitboys were suggested as surperior alternatives. Have you people lost your fucking minds?

Um, I was actually just brain storming, something I do a lot of. But I'm trying not to take any of this seriosuly, so I have no idea why you are.

I'm not trying to single you out. Pretty much all the suggestions here have been uniformly awful. And I'm pretty sure a lot of people are taking this I-hate-hacking-zomgz thing pretty seriously.

I don't get what you're saying then. Is discussion pointless or you don't believe in brain storming?

Sure, lots of people are taking the name change seriously, but to me it's just another chance at mental masterbation. You never know if something "superior" to hacker will [arrive], but I think something at least equal to decker could.

Tech, Techie, or Tech-Whiz. Yeah, brilliant. Sure beats all possible suggestions that could ever exist.

Which won't really help you argue your way out of being made fun of for using something as silly as 'technomancer.'

I propose:

DRATS - Decker-Rigger-And-Technical-Specialist



.. no, I'm not being serious at the moment.. I just had this urge to lighten the mood a little

watch out, arethusa. the technomancers will cast a curse on you.

Going back to the way old school, there is also "cowboys/girls" or "keyboard cowboys", although no keyboard now. Tech cowboys, maybe?

Although I also said it in another forum, in my campaign, deckers and riggers will live forever, even if it is just in name. After all, you do have ultimate control over your own campaign.

Keyboard cowboys has a sentimental place in my heart, and it's very old school, but absolutely not as a 'class' or archetype name.

How does hacker beat decker? It's just a lame attempt at an image update.

~J

I was specifically responding to Fortune, who does indeed feel hacker beats decker (as do others). It's a non issue to me.

Ah.

~J

I think you are mistaken about my preferences. It is totally a non-issue for me as well.

If the general term in SR4 for the tech-savvy character is Hacker, then I'm fine with that. I was just as happy using Decker and Rigger in SR3 (and 1 and 2). I just don't believe that this issue is worth my time worrying about, as it seems to be a foregone conclusion that Hacker is the term that will indeed be used in the new edition, with individual specializations having some other name akin to Deckers and Riggers or even Vehicle Hackers and Matrix Jockeys. If I did have a problem with the term, I would just continue to use Decker and Rigger (or whatever other term I liked better) in my games instead of adopting the new terminology.

I actually like Hakka as well, as it seems to fit the Shadowrun concept nicely.

I'm a bit late but.
Techwiz.
Techwizard.
Techwizzer.
Techwiz'ere.
Tekkie.
Tekker.
Techie.
Tech-er?
Techcho Steath Assassin.
Technic lego.
Tech-nish-ern.

Errrm sorry some of those might not be serious.

Why not just keep them.

From the looks of it - hacker can be a term layered on top, applying to all the tech orientied characters.

Decker can still be the computer specialists, riggers can be the gearheads, and both can be flavors of hackers. Since the names are so deep routed, this would make sense, even if decks and rigs are no longer in use.

That's basically what seems to be happening. Hacker refers to everyone who does their tecnho-mojo with the new rules. Deckers will still be deckers, riggers will still be riggers, but they'll be sort of like subsets of the one class.

Or at least, that's what I think it means.