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).
[…] the way, did you catch Bonnie’s geek post! It’s great, and I was quite flattered until I started to think that Sazzad might be […]
Bonnie
Great post!
Just one thing though, have you ever asked Sazzad to do anything useful (like connect to a wireless network, or fix a projector) – he’s hopeless!
:: Justin ::
HAHA – I’m interested in your blog on the levels of geekhood through your eyes – is that coming???
By the way, if you have time I’d love to learn how to do more “bells and whistles” with blogging. Or perhaps there is a website that I can visit – I have not checked on that.
There you go – another symptom of being a beginner geek!
Is there any hope of movement to the intermediate level (insert sad face here) since I don’t know how to.
LOL!!! Pete’s gonna love that you sorta’ put us in the same cateogry…he spent half of the KS conference making fun of me and my computer geekiness!!! Very cool Bonnie!!! Almost worthy of a royal title!!!
Bonnie
Yes, we need to do the oft-re-scheduled blogging webinar.
I’ll get an email out with some times
:: Justin ::
PS I think there is a level that has to include reading XKCD on a regular basis (but that be be moving into dork status!)
OMG- I am speechless.
I don’t know what impresses/surprises me most.
That you all so proudly announce that you are geeks.
That Bonnie put Renae in the same category as Pete- I can actually visualize his reaction- Bu-Ha
As for Sazzad- I think- although I have not met him there is a Asif out there? Did I spell that right?
Good entry Bonnie
Too funny! I don’t know Bonnie, I think just the fact that you did such a critical analysis of geekhood, raises you up a level on the nerd scale ;)
Bonnie,
Very interesting post.
For measuring levels of geekhood, if you also count the creativity of using ISPs then Pete and Renee would be like my mentors. :)
Bonnie,
Great post. Here’s some help on living with a Geek: http://www.geekculture.com/joyoftech/joyarchives/1145.html
Warren
[…] Now I’ll have to ask Bonnie if that takes me up a notch! […]
Warren – too funny. I love the website!
Justin – you are definitely moving up in geekiness. After the blog webinar today either you moved up or I am below beginner. I prefer the former!!! So congrats!!!!
[…] because you are hands down the best at it. And now I understand why Justin ranked higher on Bonnie’s Geek Blog than […]
[…] because you are hands down the best at it. And now I understand why Justin ranked higher on Bonnie’sGeek Blog than […]