100 Essential Skills for Geeks…

by biscuitinabasket on August 8, 2009

I picked up this brilliant post on Wired, and wanted to see what level of geekdom my readers can achieve!

For the record – I can relate to 30 /100 (I am still a nerd…. I am NOT a geek!)….although check out #95 in the original post (#27 on my list)… and then check out the pic…

Properly secure a wireless router.
Leech Wifi from your neighbor.
Work from home or a coffee shop as effectively as you do at the office.
Understand what “There’s no Place Like 127.0.0.1” means.

Identify all computer components on sight.
Troubleshoot any computer/gadget problem, over the phone.
Install a Linux distribution. (Hint: Ubuntu 9.04 is easier than installing Windows)
Remove a virus from a computer.
Dual (or more) boot a computer.
Boot a computer off a thumb drive.
Boot a computer off a network drive.
Protect your privacy when using a public computer.
Buy a domain, configure bind, apache, MySQL, php, and WordPress without Googling a how-to.
Basic *nix command shell knowledge with the ability to edit and save a file with vi.
Google obscure facts in under 3 searches. Bonus point if you can use I Feel Lucky.
Build amazing structures with LEGO and invent a compelling back story for the creation.
Understand that it is LEGO, not Lego, Legos, or Lego’s.
Build a two story house out of LEGO, in monochrome, with a balcony.
Fix anything with duct tape, chewing gum and wire.
Know the difference between skills and traits.
Be able to calculate tip and split the check, all in your head.
Explain that the colours in a rainbow are roygbiv.
Understand the electromagnetic spectrum – xray, uv, visible, infrared, microwave, radio.
The meaning of technical acronyms.
Understand the difference between a comic book and a graphic novel.
Know where your towel is and why it is important.
Sleep with a Cricket bat next to your bed.
Identify evil alternate universe versions of friends, family, co-workers or self.
Be able to convince TSA that the electronic parts you are carrying are really not a threat to passengers.
Talk about things that aren’t tech related.

In the corner of the room, next to my bed, sit my 2 cricket bats… they’re always there, and are my sporting pride and joy. Yes… no trophies for me because I have never been part of a tournament winning team – rather, the tools that win trophies.

How much of a geek are you?

Tagged as: Arts, Blog, blogging, Business, Electromagnetic spectrum, Google, google reader, Health, history, Home, Kids and Teens, Lego, Linux, Linux distribution, London, Me, Microsoft Windows, middle east, Online Communities, Operating system, People, Psychology, Recreation, Relationships, Social network, Social Sciences, Society and Culture, Sport, Summer, Twitter, UK, United Kingdom, United States, Warfare and Conflict, Weblogs, weekend, Windows, wordpress, Work

{ 7 comments }

Digital Nomad August 8, 2009 at 11:28 pm: Oh, this sounds like great fun…let me check it out and blog it later!
The Ruling Numerator August 9, 2009 at 1:09 am: I’m not a geek at all. Simply because I’m uber-cool. But then again, being a geek and being cool are not mutually exclusive.

A question, why does your bed have an old-fashioned headboard?
NidalM August 9, 2009 at 10:00 am: The modern definition of geek is ‘someone who who chooses a skill to concentrate on (sometimes at the expense of more social activities) and becomes excessively good at it’. My that definition, I most certainly am a geek ;P

Also, geeks get all the women

http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2008/01/17/12-reasons-why-a-geek-will-steal-your-girlfriend-in-2008/
Lili August 9, 2009 at 5:41 pm: Hmm I can relate to a lotToo many to name here.!Also why isn’t there any programming stuff like java,C,css,etc :p
Shame on you for not getting 42!
Malizomg August 11, 2009 at 12:54 pm: Except for numbers 7 and 13, I’m down with all of them. And for the cricket bat rule, I sleep with multiple sports equipment lying around me, including paintball equipment, scuba equipment, football boots etc etc.
Thrice August 18, 2009 at 12:13 am: how disappointing..I thought I was a geek…I think I might just be a smartass after all…
ingaboo August 28, 2009 at 9:50 pm: yup, I am a geek but I knew that.

In my job interview this week, I went from High Level Business Change activities to the limits of SQL content databases on a HA cluster without even taking a breath. I like being me….