Falko Rheinberg, Nadine Tramp

• What makes computer users spend their free time working with the computer? Are there different types of users and, if so, in what ways do they differ? N = 271 subjects took part in an online survey concerning the incentives for computer use in free time. Selected mailing lists were used to identify highly committed users (A4 3.9 hours of free time a day spent working with computers). The following incentive factors were found for these users: community/ affiliation; sense of competence; flexibility/utility; avoidance of boredom; rebellious tendency to illegality. Depending on their favorite use of the computer, three types of users were found: Purposeful users (58%), hackers (entering other networks without intention to cause damage) (22%), and crackers (entering other networks with intention to cause damage) (20%). There are significant differences in the incentive profiles of these types of users. Hacking and cracking, but not purposeful use, are correlated with flow experience and positive activation. These findings are notWhat makes computer users spend their free time working with the computer? Are there different types of users and, if so, in what ways do they differ? N = 271 subjects took part in an online survey concerning the incentives for computer use in free time. Selected mailing lists were used to identify highly committed users (A4 3.9 hours of free time a day spent working with computers). The following incentive factors were found for these users: community/ affiliation; sense of competence; flexibility/utility; avoidance of boredom; rebellious tendency to illegality. Depending on their favorite use of the computer, three types of users were found: Purposeful users (58%), hackers (entering other networks without intention to cause damage) (22%), and crackers (entering other networks with intention to cause damage) (20%). There are significant differences in the incentive profiles of these types of users. Hacking and cracking, but not purposeful use, are correlated with flow experience and positive activation. These findings are not representative for all leisure time computer users. They refer to a sample of highly committed users who can be reached in special associations (e.g., relevant student networks, the Chaos Computer Club)…