I’m always intrigued when I read people’s blogs and listen to them talk about technology.  Here are some thoughts as a result of those observations.

Symptoms of being a geek and characteristics of the levels of geekhood through my eyes.

BEGINNER GEEK

* Uses computer to the extent that when going to meetings that require scheduling, referring to past meetings, and planning ahead they carry a laptop with them.  May even feel a slight allergic reaction to handling paper.

* Probably have 2 to 3 email accounts.

* Perhaps use facebook and other chat rooms on topics of interest.

* In awe of geeks who are further along in the geekdom.

* When asked what is in a computer bag they respond with “my life”. (Sound familiar Pam?)

For anyone who works with me daily they will recognize I’m in the beginner geek phase and display symptoms of being an upper level geek wanna be!

INTERMEDIATE GEEK

This geek embodies all of the characteristics of the beginner geek along with:

* Blogging with pics, etc.  Not confined to text only as a beginner geek.

* Familiar with computer terms that gently float above the beginners head.

* Consistently come up with creative ways to use computer programs that again gently float above the beginners head.

* Use of more than 2 or 3 browsers and know many of the “bells and whistles” of each.

* Terminology use whips by the head of the beginner at a speed that makes it difficult to catch.

Renee and Pete – I admire both of you in your phase of geekhood!  I’m thinking Pete might even be in the advanced geek phase.  I happen to catch a conversation between him and Justin that was whizzing by my head.

ADVANCED GEEK

I considered just putting Justin’s name here with no other explanation.  But for the sake of those who may not know Justin I’ll share more:

* Too cool to carry a laptop around.  The laptops just magically appear before them – it is a phenomenon that escapes the beginner.

* Blogs of this length would take 2 minutes and 34.032 seconds.  The whole time they would be thinking about shortcuts to get it to 2 minutes.  We won’t even talk about how long it took this beginner.

* Blogging, being on facebook, completing a presentation, and who knows what else – all at the same time.  This leaves the beginner geek needing to concentrate on not having their jaw fall to the floor.  Thus avoiding a very embarrassing situation.

* Beginner geek does not even catch the terminilogy – it is a blur!!!

Super Geek

* Does not need a computer as their brain “is” the computer.

* Their magic trick is pulling a microchip out of their ear (to heck with the quarter trick from behind the ear).

* Fix whatever problem exists.

* Beginner geek does not “hear” them.  The beginner sees lip movement and knows there is sound but has accepted the fact that their terminology is wayyyyyy to far above their head for them to hear.

I’m sure there are many of these such super geeks in the world I just happen to know Sazzad.

More later I’m sure (smile).