# The Computer Junkie and Technically Literate. **URL:** \ **Category:** Lounge\ **Created:** [April 22, 2008, 4:23am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663 "2008-04-22T04:23:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BigIrish](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/bigirish/32/790_2.png) [@BigIrish](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/BigIrish)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2008, 4:23am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/1 "2008-04-22T04:23:47Z")
Although I think people that go around tossing the word “nerd” and “geek” at people left and right are mostly ignorant or angry that they don’t know as much, I have no problem considering myself in that category. I thrive on computer knowledge in any form. I love learning to program in whatever language, finding out how stuff works, and Linux is my operating system of choice, and freedom of information would be a great thing to have in this world. So, am I alone here? Or do we have any other people here that love computers and technology, or maybe not love or just able to appreciate and understand them, or don’t but want to learn (I can help with that!)? I’d love to hear from you! A lonely nerd is a sad nerd, and you dont want that do you? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mtnjim](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/mtnjim/32/2010_2.png) [@Mtnjim](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Mtnjim)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2008, 5:33pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/2 "2008-04-22T17:33:27Z")
I’ve been a working computer geek (computer systems administrator also with a CCNA) for over 25 years, took some college classes in “Electronic Data Processing” in the 1960’s.😮 ---
**Author:** ![mark-in-dallas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/mark-in-dallas/32/860_2.png) [@mark-in-dallas](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/mark-in-dallas)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2008, 6:21pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/3 "2008-04-22T18:21:47Z")
I have been building my own computers for about 12 years now, although that’s not much of an accomplishment. I love anything electronic. Had myself a Media Center PC, years before Microsoft ever had Windows MC Edition. I also run a web design company and we specializes in database driven sites. I am not much of a programmer myself, but have an awesome one working for me. I do like to get into the coding and tinker around some though, and have a fair basic understanding of PHP. ---
**Author:** ![bubblebob](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/bubblebob/32/2120_2.png) [@bubblebob](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/bubblebob)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2008, 6:41pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/4 "2008-04-22T18:41:15Z")
Currently I’ve got the doubtful pleasure of learning ABAP (the programming language of SAP) - I’ll probably be a consultant soon… ABAP is without doubt the worst programming language ever… ---
**Author:** ![BigIrish](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/bigirish/32/790_2.png) [@BigIrish](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/BigIrish)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2008, 3:52am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/5 "2008-04-23T03:52:06Z")
Thats cool to hear that I am not alone. Mtnjim thats rad, 100% old school! Thats pretty sweet you can run a database company without really knowing how to program lol! I have never even heard of ABAP, so it probably does suck pretty hard. School takes up way too much of my time, but I’m trying to master Linux so I can wash my hands clean of Microsoft for good. I’m learning Java in school, but I’m much rather be learning Python or C++, they are much better starting points for programming. If I had the money I could probably get my A+ certification and I’m close to Network+ and Security+, which will lead into CEH (Certified Ethical Haker). They wont really do my any good now because I haven’t even turned 18 yet, but if anything it somewhat appeases my thirst for knowledge. Ive also got a few web sites under development so I can practice HTML Javascript and CSS, but it all takes so much time! Of course PhP, Perl, SQL, C, and LISP are on the list too some time. Even better would be assembly + hex so I could work on real time debugging and application vulnerability testing School + Homework + Teaching self computers + Social Life + Sports = me pulling my hair out ☹ I would have loved to be around when computers were first coming out, that would have been a rush. The literal cutting edge, although not very cutting edge now must have been dam cool! My dad was like that, but he’s a lame-o-tron and he pretends to know more than he does. I have to fix his computer for him every day lol. ---
**Author:** ![Mtnjim](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/mtnjim/32/2010_2.png) [@Mtnjim](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Mtnjim)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2008, 6:39pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/6 "2008-04-23T18:39:31Z")
Just remember that in Assembly, you have to pop the registers in the inverse order that you pushed them.😃 Seriously, do you have a smart phone? If so, you’re holding in your hand more computing power than all of the computing power used to send man to the moon.😮 ---
**Author:** ![BigIrish](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/bigirish/32/790_2.png) [@BigIrish](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/BigIrish)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 5:55pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/7 "2008-04-24T17:55:23Z")
That fact alone dismays me to no end. My generation has life about… |---------this much---------| easier than all the ones before us 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![Eldros](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/eldros/32/279_2.png) [@Eldros](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Eldros)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 9:49pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/8 "2008-04-24T21:49:02Z")
I’m not amazing at technology, but I’d consider myself to be very computer literate. And to those people who have built computers before, you shouldn’t feel accomplished until you can outbuild mine 😃. Oh yeah, don’t you guys just love how many people still call the case of a computer the _cpu_ or _processor_? And how people say “I have 250GB of ram!” and “my CPU has a speed of 2.4 MB” \<–LOL. ---
**Author:** ![BigIrish](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/bigirish/32/790_2.png) [@BigIrish](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/BigIrish)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2008, 1:58am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/9 "2008-04-25T01:58:48Z")
My favorite is when people point to my monitor and tell me I have a nice computer. And I love listening to the dell helpdesk funnies. These are my two all time favorites, in as best as I can remember themm form. **Close the door!** _End User:_ Hi, I seem to be having trouble getting my software to work. It says that it’s auto-run, but I don’t really know what that means. _Technician:_ Ok mam, I can help you. What you’re going to have to do is open up the drive bay, put the CD inside it, and close the door. Do that, then let me know what happens. _End User:_ Ok, there…now hold on a second. (hears the phone hit the table…few seconds later a door slams)… Ok, now what? _Technician:_ … **Where do I put my soda?** - Caller\*: “Hello. Is this tech support?” - Tech\*: “Yes, it is. How may I help you?” - Caller\*: “The cup holder on my PC is broken and I am within my warranty period. How do I go about getting it fixed?” - Tech\*: “I’m sorry, but did you say a cup holder?” - Caller\*: “Yes, it’s attached to the front of my computer.” - Tech\*: “Did you receive this cup holder as part of a promotional item, maybe at a trade fair? How did you come by it? Can you describe it or does it have a brand name on it?” - Caller\*: “It came with my computer, I don’t know anything about a promotional item. All it has on it is 6X.” At this point the tech muted the call because he was laughing so hard that he couldn’t talk. The caller was using his CD-Rom load drawer as a cup holder and had snapped it off the drive! I \<3 end users. No offense to anyone that happens to fit either of those stories, not everyone knows how2speek computer, but in the event you are…thank you for making help desk enjoyable 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Eldros](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/eldros/32/279_2.png) [@Eldros](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Eldros)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2008, 3:44am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/10 "2008-04-26T03:44:25Z")
Oh yeah, wanna hear a funny joke? Macbook air. > [@](#): > > [Steve Jobs](http://blogs.icerocket.com/tag/Steve+Jobs) has done it again. [Apple](http://www.technorati.com/tag/Apple) announced the world’s smallest laptop yesterday at MacWorld., the [MacBook Air](http://www.technorati.com/tag/MacBook+Air). The [MacBook Air](http://blogs.icerocket.com/tag/MacBook+Air) features a 13.3-inch LED-backlit widescreen display that has a 1280 x 800 pixel resolution. The backlighting saves power and provides “instant on” response from the moment you turn it on. The device has a slightly wedge-shaped profile. It weighs about 3 pounds, and sports a thickness of 0.16-0.76 inches. It’s 12.8 inches wide and 8.95 inches deep. And it carrys a hefty pricetag of $1799. Every year Apple dominates the headlines with a huge product announcement at it’s annual user conference in San Francisco. The buzz is unlike anything else in the tech world. Last year it was the [iPhone](http://blogs.icerocket.com/tag/iPhone). This year the [MacBook Air](http://blogs.icerocket.com/tag/MacBook+Air). How does Apple do it every year? Everywhere you look there’s something about [MacWorld](http://www.technorati.com/tag/MacWorld) and Apple. With all of this buzz, why doesn’t Apple dominate the personal computer market? They still have less than 10% of the market which is amazing because they are by far a better computer according to most experts. > Apple always has innovative designs and features. Every product they release is sleek and easy to use. The [iPods](http://blogs.icerocket.com/tag/iPods) and [iPhones](http://blogs.icerocket.com/tag/iPhones) are unlike anything on the market. Apple’s computers are also better looking, faster, and the operating systems is lightyears ahead of Microsoft. Apple is always a generation or two ahead of [Microsoft](http://www.technorati.com/tag/Microsoft) and it’s clear that Microsoft steals everything Apple does in it’s operating system. So why doesn’t Apple dominate the market? > It’s because Apple’s hardware sucks. Everything Apple releases breaks within a year. I can’t tell you how many iPods I’ve purchased for my kids. Within days the cases were scratched, the batteries sucked. the displays faded out, the hard drives crashed and they just stop working. The newer iPods are better but they are far from perfect. So why do people keep buying iPods when they know they’ll break? > The iPhones had a huge return rate when it was first released. Batteries died, the screens blanked out and they were full of bugs. Some sources say that 29% of the iPhones sold in the first month were returned. It’s impossible to verify that number because Apple won’t say but everyone I know that purchased one had problems. > So why do people love Apple? People pay 2 to 3 times more for Apple products and the quality sucks. > Why don’t people hate [Steve Jobs](http://www.technorati.com/tag/Steve+Jobs) like they hate [Bill Gates](http://www.technorati.com/tag/Bill+Gates)? Why aren’t they dominating the personal computer market? The passionate Apple community is as strong as ever and they’re willing to pay anything for any product Apple releases. Plus they’ll never say a bad word about Apple no matter how many problems they have with the hardware. > How can you build brand loyalty for your business that is as strong as Apple built with it’s users? We’ll explore how Apple did it in my next post. I’ve had 2 creative mp3 players, the zen micro and the zen microphoto. They were both awesome and had above-average sound quality. The micro was nice, but the microphoto was really nice. The micro broke in about a year though, and it was my fault cause I plugged in my front usb ports wrong so I over volted my zen ☹. My microphoto was stolen. My brother has a zen vision:M and it is a freaking beautiful beast. My other brother has a 16gb zen, and its awesome too. Compared to my other other brother’s ipod. . . well, we just laugh at him 😃. ---
**Author:** ![Phya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@Phya](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Phya)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 2:33am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/11 "2008-04-27T02:33:09Z")
PRESENT! But you’d never know unless I opened up my mouth. I used to be a regular at SBox back in the day. I learned a lot about Google and it’s powers there 😃. > [@BigIrish](#): > > I would have loved to be around when computers were first coming out, that would have been a rush. The literal cutting edge, although not very cutting edge now must have been dam cool! You’re lucky you’re here at PT. It’s been several years since [pheromone](https://a314.com/) research really took off, but we’re still the pioneers in pheromone technology. I tell my friends back at SB that I’m hacking the more complicated computers and networks – the human brain and social groups. 😃 It’s a blast being here. ---
**Author:** ![BigIrish](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/bigirish/32/790_2.png) [@BigIrish](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/BigIrish)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 4:09am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/12 "2008-04-29T04:09:28Z")
Thats a good way to look at it, being that “hacking” can be applied to more than just “pwnz0ring t4at n3wbs b0x.” It is the discovery of how anything works, and there is nothing more complex than the human body and brain…except maybe my Calculus homework.. ---
**Author:** ![Eldros](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/eldros/32/279_2.png) [@Eldros](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Eldros)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 4:13am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/13 "2008-04-29T04:13:33Z")
> [@BigIrish](#): > > Thats a good way to look at it, being that “hacking” can be applied to more than just “pwnz0ring t4at n3wbs b0x.” It is the discovery of how anything works, and there is nothing more complex than the human body and brain…except maybe my Calculus homework.. Actually, ‘hacking’ is a term that best fits with messing with hardware. ‘Cracking’ bests fits with messing with code. But you know how the average american is. . . sigh. ---
**Author:** ![mark-in-dallas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/mark-in-dallas/32/860_2.png) [@mark-in-dallas](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/mark-in-dallas)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 4:53am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/14 "2008-04-29T04:53:53Z")
> [@Eldros](#): > > Actually, ‘hacking’ is a term that best fits with messing with hardware. ‘Cracking’ bests fits with messing with code. But you know how the average american is. . . sigh. When it comes to modifying software, I actually prefer the term hacking over cracking. Example: My Verizon Razor V3C. Verizon likes doing stupid things like blocking the vibrate then ring function, blocking copying music from a computer, limiting the speaker volume, and forcing high compression transmissions. If I told anyone I cracked my phone to restore those lost features, they would have looked at me funny, like you broke your phone? 🙂 Hacking they understand. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Phya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@Phya](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Phya)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 7:40am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/15 "2008-04-29T07:40:06Z")
Cracking..hacking..it’s a moot point for me. I see cracking somewhat along the lines of simple bruteforcing however. In any case, neither one alone applies. In one way I could be hacking hardware (the brain) or the other way I could be cracking software (the mind). ---
**Author:** ![Pheraoh](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/pheraoh/32/857_2.png) [@Pheraoh](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Pheraoh)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 10:57am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/16 "2008-04-29T10:57:11Z")
> [@Eldros](#): > > I’ve had 2 creative mp3 players, the zen micro and the zen microphoto. They were both awesome and had above-average sound quality. The micro was nice, but the microphoto was really nice. The micro broke in about a year though, and it was my fault cause I plugged in my front usb ports wrong so I over volted my zen ☹. My microphoto was stolen. My brother has a zen vision:M and it is a freaking beautiful beast. My other brother has a 16gb zen, and its awesome too. Compared to my other other brother’s ipod. . . well, we just laugh at him 😃. I got one of the card sized 8GB Zen. [http://images.americas.creative.com/images/products/inline/inline1\_16999\_1\_1\_61.jpg](http://images.americas.creative.com/images/products/inline/inline1_16999_1_1_61.jpg) I love the fact it takes SD cards. Going to get me a 32GB card when the onboard gets full. ---
**Author:** ![denec](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/denec/32/1730_2.png) [@denec](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/denec)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 3:24pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/17 "2008-04-29T15:24:14Z")
> [@BigIrish](#): > > Although I think people that go around tossing the word “nerd” and “geek” at people left and right are mostly ignorant or angry that they don’t know as much, I have no problem considering myself in that category. > > I thrive on computer knowledge in any form. I love learning to program in whatever language, finding out how stuff works, and Linux is my operating system of choice, and freedom of information would be a great thing to have in this world. > > So, am I alone here? Or do we have any other people here that love computers and technology, or maybe not love or just able to appreciate and understand them, or don’t but want to learn (I can help with that!)? I’d love to hear from you! A lonely nerd is a sad nerd, and you dont want that do you? 😃 I actually work in the industry myself, though sometimes I wish I went into a different career. Linux has been my favorite OS, in fact I have been using Ubuntu as my main desktop for over 2 years now and cannot look back =) If anyone ever needs any help feel free to ask. P.S. you spelled Ubuntu wrong in your signature =) ---
**Author:** ![BigIrish](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/bigirish/32/790_2.png) [@BigIrish](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/BigIrish)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 5:21am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/18 "2008-04-30T05:21:18Z")
> [@denec](#): > > P.S. you spelled Ubuntu wrong in your signature =) Well thats a kick in the jewels ☹ > [@](#): > > Actually, ‘hacking’ is a term that best fits with messing with hardware. ‘Cracking’ bests fits with messing with code. But you know how the average american is. . . sigh. Hacking is best applied to messing with hardware, and not only computers, but anything that works with technology, and not in a mischievous way, just for the sake of figuring it out. Unfortunately mark is right in that if I said I was hit by a cracker, every image possible would come into someones mind BUT what I actually meant (someone asked me how I got attacked by a nutcracker when I talked about it last x-mas 🙄). Sadly, giving into the majority understanding only perpetuates a bad image for innocent people. Great movie, “Freedom Downtime.” Kevin Mitnick’s story, and offers great insight into ignorant America regarding “hackers” vs “crackers” and “phreakers.” On a different note…anyone have any experience with Python? I’m considering looking into it as a starting point for real programming, not cut and paste programming like I am being taught in Java at school. Mainly because of it’s roots in C and my desire to learn Linux more completely, and be able to get one step closer to Assembly. On another different note… I recently was asked to learn how to script in “4D” by a client of my dads, potential big $$$ if I get good fast. Its a database language natively SQL. Anyone heard of it/used it? EDIT: @ denec Have you gotten 8.04 yet? I have tried several times but I keep getting an error during the download saying “The file could not be saved, because the source code could not be read.” Driving me off the wall, and the one copy that did finish is corrupted, the md5 sum didn’t match and it wont read after I boot from it = / ---
**Author:** ![denec](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/denec/32/1730_2.png) [@denec](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/denec)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 2:06pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/19 "2008-04-30T14:06:31Z")
> [@BigIrish](#): > > EDIT: > @ denec > Have you gotten 8.04 yet? I have tried several times but I keep getting an error during the download saying “The file could not be saved, because the source code could not be read.” Driving me off the wall, and the one copy that did finish is corrupted, the md5 sum didn’t match and it wont read after I boot from it = / I actually upgraded over the weekend. I did not download the iso, i just did an upgrade directly. I followed the directions here [Upgrading your existing Ubuntu installation | Ubuntu](http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/upgrading) and had no issues, in fact this was one of the smoothest upgrades to date. When I came back on Monday it was completed. ---
**Author:** ![BigIrish](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/bigirish/32/790_2.png) [@BigIrish](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/BigIrish)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 9:17pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663/20 "2008-04-30T21:17:45Z")
Rad. I am sadly being forced to use WinXP currently, just bought a new PC and my old Gibbon CD got fried, so I am installing fresh Ubuntu right now. I just got it downloaded now though, and I am SO ready to kick windows into traffic. [Next page](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/the-computer-junkie-and-technically-literate/11663.md?page=2)