"Hacking" and "Modding"

[magicniner]

Engineers use an old technique often referred to as "Design Development".
Hacking sounds like blindly making your way in a jungle with a machete because your sat nav is broken and can no longer tell you the way, in this metaphor engineering is being properly equipped in the first place, climbing a hill and planning a route with a map & compass ;-)

- Nick

[EddyCurrent]

I agree with what magicniner just said, but I can also see why Sven said what he said.

The method I use is to give it a good thinking about to identify the hardest part of the project, do a few experiments with bits I have laying about, R&D some ideas to find the best way forward, then engineer it properly to the best of budget and ability. By sorting the hardest part out first, I know for sure the rest will be possible.

[Sven]

I think hacking in this context is best explained as "Getting to your goal as quickly as possible, using what ever is readily available."

It is possibly meant as lifehacking, but then with tools:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_hacking