Reading Saqqara's journal

Here on NAO, I have been ranked as being 42% geek. I don't know what powers that be determine that almost half of me is geek, but according to today's standard definition of geek, and where I see myself, it should be lowered to like 10%.

Unlike today's modern geek, I don't care about linux. I don't care if a yet another new kernel is released. I don't care if you linux-heads band together to try and force Blizzard to make WoW linux compatible. I know I'm going to get flamed out the ass for this one, but the way I see it is you guys are depriving yourselves of something enjoyable.

Geek: "I'm a hardcore linux fan! I don't use anything that resembles Windows! I even had the windows taken out of my house. Linux w00t!"
Me: "whoo. Want a cookie to get over your nonsense?"

I could honestly care less. The people here in my home town accuse me of being a geek, to which I can't say much, because compared to them, I am. But compared to some of you guys around here, I am your average person who actually knows how to manipulate html and php.

I don't keep up on the newest technological advances for computers these days. I could care less that your video card is 3x better than mine because you bought it when it was brand new and mine is a few months old. I'm satisfied with my computer the way it is. I don't have to have the best on the market simply because it's out and it's so much better than what I bought yesterday.

Admittedly, I spend a lot of time on my computer, as I consider it an extension of my abilities. I can draw, I can write, I can't sing, and even a computer can't make that better, but the other two, my computer serves to enhance my artistic ability, as well as keep me up to date on what's going on in the world. My computer is a form of entertainment and knowledge for me, I don't see it as a baby that has to be pampered and bought the newest available toys on the market.

I am told I have many qualifying factors to be considered a geek. I know html and php, I was attending college for Computer Science. I game probably more than any other chick you'll ever know, even your little sister who used to beat you at Mario when you were 7. I read bash.org and get a kick out of the IRC quotes there, when they don't have to do with masturbation and someone assuming that one day, they will get a bit of poon. I'm satisfied at being called computer savvy.

42% Geek? I think not.

"It is much more comfortable to be mad and know it, than to be sane and have one's doubts."

This post was edited by Saqqara on May 12, 2005.

Geeks do not have to use linux.

There's other great OS's like OS-X (The best option for gamers right now, i'd think, what with corporate support, though they urk some geeks as bad as M$), herd, react OS, BSD, UNIX, and many many others. As for depriving ourselves of something enjoyable, you miss one thing:

Linux geeks enjoy linux for what it is: Maximum configurability, freedom in every sense of the word (though with certain restrictions to preserve said freedom). We aren't depriving ourselves, moreso releasing ourselves and getting what we want. IT IS NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR WINDOWS, it is an alternative. We have hundreds of applications over windows users and that collection grows and matures daily (unlike windows).

What we are deprived of is entertainment software. We have everything under the sun but corporate financed games (in great number) and drivers for select unsupported hardware, namely ATI video cards and certain wireless devices. We have many of the best titles (Doom, Quake, Unreal, Neverwinter Nights, etc) but that's not enough. We have cedega which while a real pain to install games within, is a valid option. What you enjoy is what you use, linux geeks (a specific breed of geeks) enjoy linux and what it offers. =)

Linux is freedom to many, and while it does not have the total application support you desire it confines you. If you don't want to use it, don't use it. Unlike windows, it's not made for everyone, and in many cases forcefed to everyone.

On microsoft: It's not because they own the world. It's because they own it and enslave it. I don't feel like a microsoft customer, I feel obligated into using thier product. The community involvement and software support is depressing. Did you know that tech support is 35 dollars an incedent? I'm sorry, but that doesn't make me feel like a customer. Oh yeah, it's 35 dollars to get treated like an idiot by some retard in afganistan getting paid a month what I'm paying M$ per tech support incedent. The way they treat thier "customers" is depressing. Furthermore, virii and blackhat-ware is rampant.

A geek can be many things though. Gamers are geeks, for example, our very own mace (Who thankfully joins me, majic, mystilleef, Vladimir, and President [decimator] on irc [official plug: irc.freenode.net #sandbox] =) ) is not the uber linux nut like many of us are, but he hangs with us and gets along with us just the same. One thing common to us all is a respect for linux. If linux handled all our needs equally to that on windows {the only thing it misses on my part is the aforementioned entertainment software} we'd completely switch or at least enjoy having the option available as would you providing it offered to suit your needs (I'm sure).

You don't like linux and that's fine. But don't, not even think for a second that it deprives us. You like windows and that's fine, but we can do what windows users can't. Linux users dance where windows users fear to tread.

Oh yeah, one last thing:
I finally did it to deprive myself intentionally. I wasn't getting anything done. I was going to bed early, I was bored of my computer and I never got any work done, not even school work. So, to deprive myself of some time wasting, I am finally making a fulltime switch.

Anyway...

Now, any reasons you don't like linux? I understand that it won't install on your computer, but are there any other reasons? But I do understand, I enjoy using windows. It's safe, it works, and there's a world of possibilities because the world has to be accessible to it to be worthwhile these days. :(

The only thing it refuses to offer is choice.

Browser: Sorry, we cannot remove IE.
Media: M$ is refusing to remove WMP even after being mandated to do so by several governing bodies.
Theming: You have to install 3rD party software to skin it.
FS: NTFS is horrible, enough said.
New Tech: While in most cases windows supports more, linux still beats it to the punch most of the time. When it comes to hardware widows usually wins, but the most recent developments, linux is winning. Dual Core, nVidia GPU's, etc.

That's just a small list, and it dominates my reasons for choosing linux. Choice. That's all... And you don't need good hardware. I am learning that more and more... Just enough to do what you gotta do. Part of my hardware lust is insecurity really. :( Another part of it is my competing with my freind Jeff.

Anyway, if I've rubbed you on the wrong tech side, I'm sorry. :(

I should be ashamed of myself.

This post was edited by Aynjell on May 12, 2005.

My computer is a form of entertainment and knowledge for me, I don't see it as a baby that has to be pampered and bought the newest available toys on the market.

I think you're confusing geeks and nerds. :-)

"*sigh* Some men are really hard to manipulate!" - Orchid

I think you're confusing geeks and nerds. :-)

You mean there's a difference? :P

"It is much more comfortable to be mad and know it, than to be sane and have one's doubts."

No, I thought nerds were the social retards lacking any type of proficiency, I.E: trekkies and comic-con fag-boys?

I should be ashamed of myself.

This post was edited by Aynjell on May 12, 2005.

You mean there's a difference?

Of course there is!

Well, so far I haven't found two people who would agree on the same definition of "geek vs. nerd". My definition is that geeks are moderate nerds with a social life and real sex that involves at least two persons. :-)

"*sigh* Some men are really hard to manipulate!" - Orchid

This post was edited by null on May 12, 2005.

Unlike today's modern geek, I don't care about linux.

Sure, you're just mad because you couldn't figure out how to install it on your computer. Haha... Deep down you are a geek don't try to lie.

Me: "whoo. Want a cookie to get over your nonsense?"

Again this is your anger showing through from your failed attempt at installing linux.

Admittedly, I spend a lot of time on my computer,

But even spending as much time as you do with your computer you still failed to install linux.

I am told I have many qualifying factors to be considered a geek.

Maybe but you still failed to get linux running on your computer.

42% Geek?

You are a geek but are still angry about your failing the Linux install test.

@Saq: ever tried out Linux on a Live-CD-ROM? Like Damn Small Linux, Knoppix or Kanotix? Even if you're not able to getting Linux installed, or even dont want to, it's a nice thing to have to. ;)

You are a geek but are still angry about your failing the Linux install test.

On a side note: I indeed got a mainboard that lets all Linux distros fail installation with a kernel panic :D
- it's the very 'puter I'm writing this post on.

cu, w0lf.

Multiple exclamation marks are a sure sign for a diseased mind!

This post was edited by ginsterbusch on May 12, 2005.

On a side note: I indeed got a mainboard that lets all Linux distros fail installation with a kernel panic :D
- it's the very 'puter I'm writing this post on.

Linux has been known to push hardware quite a bit harder than d0ze so it could theoretically bring out hardware flaws in the form of kernel panics and other such oddities. A real good indication is erratic behavior from the operation of the OS, like random crashes, kernel panics, spontaneous reboots, etc...

I had a cdrom burner that was faulty and when attempting to burn a cdrom it would at random points either lock up or spontaneously reboot the machine. It was weird and annoying, I replaced the cdrom drive and all was well. I've had more problems with cdrom drives in the last 10 years than any other piece of hardware. It would seem that they just don't make them very robust. I often see read errors and that is a great indication that your drive is going bad (or you have a faulty cdrom disc which usually isn't the case, at least from my tests).

Linux has been known to push hardware quite a bit harder than d0ze so it could theoretically bring out hardware flaws in the form of kernel panics and other such oddities. A real good indication is erratic behavior from the operation of the OS, like random crashes, kernel panics, spontaneous reboots, etc...

Well, it doesnt behave like this when Win98SE is running with it, so it's probably because it's an experimental / non-standard-produced mainboard which normally was concepted as a server, not a desktop mainboard. But ASAP I've get a chance to travel to my great-aunt, I'm going to fetch the 'old' puters still laying around there, partially in peaces or well fit together, assembling them to get at least 2 proper, powerful working machines (I do NOT need MHz power, I need RAM + HDD space!) and then let's see what a light-weight OS like DSL can help me to get some bloody good work environments. ;)

But thanks for mentioning this fact - I've gonna remember it. Probably explains why some CD drives wont let me boot my CDs with 'em.

cu, w0lf.

Multiple exclamation marks are a sure sign for a diseased mind!

Saq, I think I'm with you on this one. Granted I really don't game much beacause I prefer sticking my nose in a book or attempting to better my photoshoping abilities...or play around with Studio MX.

I don't keep up on the newest technological advances for computers these days. I could care less that your video card is 3x better than mine because you bought it when it was brand new and mine is a few months old. I'm satisfied with my computer the way it is. I don't have to have the best on the market simply because it's out and it's so much better than what I bought yesterday.

Indeed. Not to mention, with the way life outside the computer has and will continue to be going, I don't have the money or inclination to spend two or three hundred dollars on a video/sound/etc. card...per part! Granted alittle more processing power and RAM would be nice to keep certain programs from getting testy but it doesn't matter as much to me in the end as taking care of my car which has it's little yellow "Service Engine Soon" light illuminated fixed. Or perhaps being able to get money saved up for a trip I'm going on, or better yet being able to pay a medical bill I've had for over a year...

There are just some things more important than More Power(TM) in a computer.

--Jami

P.S. Aynjell what's wrong with being a Trekkie? ;)

You fail it.

No majic, none of this stems from being unable to install linux on my computer. I admit I would like to have given it a try just to see the difference from Windows, simply because it is something new. In all honesty though, I could really care less if SuSE or Gentoo or Red Hat releases a new version. I don't want to hear about it every three seconds.

I'm not angry I couldn't get linux installed, I am tired of hearing about new kernels, dual core CPUs, things I really don't care about, and probably never will until I decide to purchase a new computer.

"It is much more comfortable to be mad and know it, than to be sane and have one's doubts."

Yes, everything. Trekkies to the extreme are just as geeky as I am, just as wierd as I am, and they have just as few freinds as me, but they lack one thing inherently as a treckie that I have:

Profiency. Granted, they know thier shit, but that doesn't get them anywhere. Being able to micromanage a high end linux environment, knowledge of basic networking, coding ability as well as several other things gets you somewhere. Trekkies are cool, but they have nothing going for them but a rabid love for a horrible show...

/me ducks...

I should be ashamed of myself.

42% Geek? I think not.

You spend several hours on your computer, you know more languages than I do, you have more code to your name than I do, and you game more than I do (hard to beleive, I spend about 2 hours a day gaming, average, some days I binge, some days I never open a game), and last but not least, you say w00t. Yes, 42% geek if not more. Just because I'm geekier doesn't make you lack the quality.

I should be ashamed of myself.

*smiling* the term geek, has been around for years, and has held different meanings depending on the culture using the word.
I don't know if it has ever ment anything other than outsider, or someone who spends more brain time in life than social time...I don't know if that makes much sense, but when I was in highschool about a 1000 years ago, it ment thoes kids who were smarter than the rest of us avarages.
They passed all their tests with flying colors, were in the top two percent of the bell curve, and had no social skills.
Basicly a person who was uncool to hang out with, because it made you look bad.
The stupid thing about all that is that people tend to lable people and leave them there, not realizing that a lable is something that should be kept to food in cans so you can tell what your getting off the shelve and don't open a can of spinich when your trying for green beans.

I hate lables. They are so limiting, and that sucks, because that says you are stuck here or there and that isn't right.
It also means that if someone of a group you are part of decides that anyone carring that lable is your enemy then you are commiting treason by association....
I have an idea to do away with that...lets all be the ungeeks and the geeks we love to be...
That'll fix it...then we can be either a geek or an ungeek and it will all be geek to all of us...

hope that brought a bit of humor to all of this...

It only looks that way because your standing on your head.

For someone geeky enough to start a meta-discussion about what it takes to be a geek, I'm surprised you only scored 42%.

'Yeah, That's what Jesus would do. Jesus would bomb Afghanistan. Yeah.' - snowlion