DeDanaan

Filed by Aine MacDermot

Geek : The epitome of cool.

In computers and the Internet, a geek is a person who is inordinately dedicated to and involved with technology to the point of sometimes not appearing to be normal, and indeed, geeks are NOT normal. Being a geek also implies a skilled and refined capability with the technology. Although historically, computer and Internet programming and hacking has been a male thing, there are now many “girl geeks” or “grrrl geeks.” The term “hacker” generally connotes competence more strongly than “geek” does, but make no mistake, geeks are just as competent as hackers and most geeks do hack from time to time.

The term “geek” emphasizes dedication and weirdness, although recent use of the term suggests greater social acceptance and tolerance for geeks. (Historically, a geek was a circus person whose role in the side-show was to bite off chicken’s heads or perform other bizarre feats. Eric Raymond describes “computer geek” as “one who eats (computer) bugs for a living.”)

The term seems to be used by many in the general populace for anyone who spends a lot of or too much time at a computer.
WHO IS A GEEK?
If you’re an outsider looking in, you’ll notice us running your server rooms and your computer systems at work. We run the websites and communications systems of the world. We’re also the ones that tell you which computers to buy and then support them when they don’t work the way you expect them to.

If you’re an insider, you’ve discovered that you can earn a living doing what you love, and your skills are needed now more than ever in our world. Chances are that you make more money than your parents ever did, you don’t wear suits, and you’ve probably got a bunch of stock options nestled away for retirement. You are a wanted commodity and the Internet is your home away from home. If you’re fired or laid off it is almost comical, as you have a new job earning more money the next week at a company with better benefits.

LEVELS OF GEEKDOM
Geeks take being Geeks very seriously, and that’s made us realize that there are a few different levels of Geekdom. See which level you fit into:

Wanna-be / Beginner Geek

First-time computer buyers or closet computer users. Beginner Geeks don’t necessarily have to own a computer of their own.

Here are some signs that mean you’re a Wanna-be Geek:

Took things apart as a child to see how they worked.

Have always had some interest in electronic devices.

Were fascinated by how the television remote control worked.

Can program the family VCR.

Enjoy trying to teach yourself how to use things.

Often play with your friends’ computers.

Can’t get enough of the computer lab at school or work.

Intermediate Geek

Enjoy telling people about how you searched the Web for 3 hours last night to find the best deal on kangaroo burgers.

Have friends who constantly ask you questions relating to anything electronic and believe whatever answers you give them.

Have written your own computer programs.

Write some of your correspondence in Notepad or VI.

Know how to code HTML in a text editor.

Never turn off your computer.

Advanced Geek

Enjoy telling people about how you reprogrammed the remote control on your keyring to unlock your house, turn on the coffee maker, and start up the computer.

Don’t believe in reading manuals for anything electronic.

Believe that ANYTHING can be fixed.

Buy expensive electronic toys and try to integrate them with other electronic gadgets, often breaking them beyond repair in the process (and being happy about it!)

Know all about how to register a domain name and how the Internet functions.

Your monitor is bigger than your television–if you even have a TV.

Have more than one computer, and they are always on.

Have a network in your house.

Super Geek

Sit at home in your underwear playing on your computers until the wee hours of the morning, EVERY morning.

Would rather sit at your computers eating wine and cheese than go out on a date.

Would not only happily accept the prospect of being fully integrated with your computer, you’d also figure out how to hack your way to the top of the waiting list.

CAN fix anything.

Type faster than you think.

Spend more time online than around people.

Can’t understand why there are some people who can’t build their own computer from scratch.
Don’t believe in viewing the Web with graphics–Lynx is the only Web browser you’ll ever need.
Use a text editor–not a word processor–to write all correspondence.

Never, ever, ever, ever wear a suit.

Believe that only suckers pay fees–barter for free ‘Net connection, use free OS, use freeware for your software, make phone-calls over the Web, and you’ve got a friend at the cable company, because, after all–money buys hardware.

Once you decide what level of Geekdom you belong to you can strive to go to the next level.