I like the "stretch their capabilities" part of #1. Definitely been that lately.

Obsessive is definitely part of my property list. I'll never forget a thing on TV about a bloodhound. They had to drag the doggie away from the trail so he wouldn't get tired. (Took him back the next day.) I'm like that sometimes.



>I would put myself in category #2 about 70% of the time, category 1 the rest of the time. My wife would probably just limit my description as the obsessive part. :-)
>
>>hacker (HACK-uhr) noun
>>
>> 1. A person who enjoys exploring the details of programmable systems
>> and how to stretch their capabilities, as opposed to most users, who
>> prefer to learn only the minimum necessary.
>>
>> 2. One who programs enthusiastically (even obsessively) or who enjoys
>> programming rather than just theorizing about programming.
>>