How to Become a Real Computer Geek

Now that many so-called "computer geeks" are becoming extremely wealthy, the age of ostracizing the computer savvy is coming to an end. The road to true computer geekdom is long and arduous, but the payoff is worth the trouble.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet Access
• Computers

1. Update your computer software and hardware regularly to keep your system state-of-the-art.

2. Purchase and install several superfluous peripherals for your computer, such as a video camera and a CD burner.

3. Establish a separate phone line for Internet use or sign up for a direct connection. This will allow you to be online without interruption around the clock.

4. Attain mastery of a variety of mainstream programming languages, such as C and C++. (Web scripting languages, such as JavaScript, don't count.)

5. Refuse to use "wimpy" graphical operating systems, such as Windows and the Mac OS: Instead, prefer Unix variants, preferably the free and popular Linux.

6. Add so many hacks and patches to your system that others are clueless in its wake.

7. Contribute to GNU or other open-source projects.

8. Establish a minimum of three separate e-mail addresses.

9. Build your own Web page using advanced programming techniques.

10. Subscribe to a variety of computer and computer-related magazines, serials and periodicals to keep up with the latest trends and developments in the computer world.

11. Get involved in other hobbies that tend to be associated with computer geekdom, such as network gaming, trading card games, and anime (Japanese animation).

12. Establish a network of fellow computer geeks with whom you can have long conversations about computers and online adventures that non-computer geeks cannot hope to understand.

Tips & Warnings

• Many computer geeks build their computers out of separate components rather than buying a preassembled package.
• If you're serious about computer geekdom, consider earning a degree in computer science from a major college, university or technical school.

[Diablo2]

on 11/3/2009 Great article and very informative, 5*

[I3iNaRy]

on 4/24/2008 another cyber-geek act is to wear techno-geek clothing, such as, computer t-shirts, sci-fi gaming (i.e halo 3) t-shirts, and anime/manga t-shirts, preferably Blue (which is commonly known to be the "Color of Technology")

[I3iNaRy]

on 4/24/2008 get a authentic matrix screensaver.

[I3iNaRy]

on 4/24/2008 another cyber-geek act is to wear techno-geek clothing, such as, computer t-shirts, sci-fi gaming (i.e halo 3) t-shirts, and anime/manga shirts, preferably Blue (which is commonly known to be the color of Technology)

[I3iNaRy]

on 4/24/2008 many computer geeks write, watch, and read sci-fi, esp ones that feature technology more than science (usally called "Cyberpunk") and manga/anime, like me (my fav is ghost in the shell, a lot of computers/gadgets in it)