It’s time to hone your hacking skills, legally

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: We are all hackers now. At least, we can be. Americans have built our lives on a foundation of silicon and software, with computers in millions of homes and digital music players in millions of shirt pockets. They’re our gadgets. Why shouldn’t we hack them?

Before the word “hacker” was applied to sleazy computer vandals, it had a far more honorable meaning among engineers and computer jockeys. A hacker was someone who'd mastered the powers and abilities of a technology, and used that knowledge to make it do amazing things.

Few of us can become master hackers, but anyone can acquire some measure of hacking skill.

Rael Dornfest, chief technology officer of computer book publisher O’Reilly Media Inc, said that it's mainly a question of attitude. “The difference between a hacker and a civilian is a civilian sits in front of his TiVo” digital video recorder and says, ‘Gee, I wish I could do that,’ Dornfest said. “A hacker says, 'Hey, I've got an hour and some spare time. What the hell.”

Dornfest edits the Hacks series, a popular line of books that show how to unleash the hidden potential contained in software like Microsoft Corp’s Windows XP and hardware like the iPod. Readers can also learn to hack popular websites like Google and Yahoo.

Many of the hacks have a fairly high geek quotient, requiring skill with a soldering iron or a knowledge of programming languages. But about one-third of each book features hacking tips that can be applied by anyone with a little spare time.

“The idea is to teach them a different way of thinking that's prevalent among the geek or hacker community,” Dornfest said.

We've collected a few of our favorite tricks from the Hacks books and other sources. They're all perfectly legal, and more than a little cool.

Windows XP hacks

Windows XP operating system has a built-in speech engine that can read the contents of a browser window. It's a handy feature for people with vision problems, or web surfers with eyestrain. And it's easy to activate. Nearly all Windows computer keyboards have a key with a window emblem. Press this key and the letter U to fire up the speech system. You'll also get access to a magnifier program that makes it easier to read small type.