How to be a geek in 7 easy steps

Ever wanted to be tech savy, know what's happening in the world of the internet, and know what on earth people are on about when they say, "Dig Me"? Well look no further, here's how to be a geek in 7 easy steps! But don't think that this is just for the boys, girls are more then capable of geeking out!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer
• Internet connection (preferable more then dial-up)
• Fingers to type with
• A willingness to learn!

1. 1. Find some inspiration: Chances are that if you want to be a geek then you have some sort of inspiration. Maybe it's one person, or a group of people who have some geek qualities that you would like to have, or that you admire. If they're 'real' people, then hang around them more, if they're 'not real' then read their blog, or listen to their podcast to get ideas and learn new things.
2. 2. Learn new things: Listening to tech podcasts, and reading tech blogs is a great way to learn new information about your new favourite subject.
   Here's a few that I would recommend:
   On The Net
   Net@Nite
   TWIT
   CommandN
3. 3. Get Connected: I have a whiteboard FULL of all the sites that I'm registered to. At the moment I register with nearly every site that I click on, because they can generally offer me some sort of service that I will use, or at least be able to tell other people about.
   
   How can I have a podcast that tells you to use Del.icio.us if I don't use it myself and haven't experienced the pros and cons myself? How would I even know what they are?
   
   Another great suggestions is that if you have a blog, join a blogging community, then you will be able to connect with other like-minded people.
4. 4. Read The News: This one was inspired by my fiancé (as is nearly everything that I do as a geek), every day, sometimes more than just once a day, I go to my computer, open firefox, and open the 'news' folder. It opens all my 'news' sites into tabs and I sift through them trying to find things that interest me and teach me new things.
   Here's what's in my 'news' folder at the moment, just so that you get a taste.
   
   Life Hacker -"Computers make us more productive. Yeah, right. Lifehacker recommends the software downloads and web sites that actually save time. Don't live to geek; geek to live." Del.icio.us -Check out what other people are into by looking at what they've tagged today.
   Digg -Again look at what other people are interested in.
   Digglicious -This one updates live on your screen showing the most frequently and commonly tagged sites on both Digg and Del.icio.us. This is one of my favourites.
   Reddit -Again, it's a similar site, but this usually has some different information on it.
   BoingBoing -As the tag line suggests: Weird and wonderful things. Just to lighten the 'tech mood'.
   Gizmodo -Gizmodo likes making predictions and sharing with you new gadgets and gizmos.
   Amber Mac -Amber is one of the host of Net@nite, and she always has cool links to sites and interesting things.
   LOL- The Life Of Leo -The other host of net@nite, and TWIT. Usually got some cool stuff to share.
   Newsvine -News articles and stories that people have 'seeded' and said was good/bad/ugly. Plus ones that people have written.
   Good Magazine -Great if you want to read some articles about a range of different topics and subjects. It's displayed really well as well.
   Dvorak Uncensored -John C. Dvorak is a well known tech journalist, good for a read if you want an opinion.
5. 5. Network: This can be taken in two sense. One is that you make connections with people interested in tech as well, which is a good thing, and I'd recommend it. What I meant though was every time that you go to a webpage, especially one of the ones that I linked to above, then don't just read the content, read the links and read the buttons and badges on the side. They're the things that these people, groups, organisations, businesses are into, so they're probably worth your time.
6. 6. Give: You know how they say, 'Give and it will come back to you?' well it's as true with geeks as with anything, so set up a blog that talks about different issues, comment on other people's blogs, be involved in communities on the web and try to soak in everything that you can while at the same time, try to teach other people something that you know.
7. 7. Speciality: This isn't always necessary, but is sometimes a good idea, particularly at the beginning, choose something that you can research more thoroughly so that you can be more knowledgeable then any Tom, Dick, or Harry off the street. Even if you don't stick to it, it's good to get your feet off the ground, so to speak.
   
   Once you've been going through the news and blogs a bit it's a good idea to start to specialise in one area. Some people talk Mac (Apple), Websites, Windows, Application/Programs, Hardware, Software, Gadgets, New Technologies, Companies, Web 2.0, Social Commentaries... the list goes on.