Tech Savy

jbcohen · 04-21-2011, 08:02 AM

Another mobile read forum member brought up an interesting point, how tech savy are forum members?

In the real world I am employed as a network administrator so technology is what I do and electronic books are simply a natural extention of what I do already

But how tech savy are the rest of the members?

DiapDealer · 04-21-2011, 08:23 AM

I know enough to empty my bit-bucket when it gets full.

astrangerhere · 04-21-2011, 08:26 AM

I've built my last 4 computers.

elemenoP · 04-21-2011, 08:33 AM

I am a user interface designer/information architect for the websites of a Fortune 500 consumer goods company. I also do front-end development (html and javascript, which is like programming for kiddies). I'm very tech-savvy but the funny thing is, I dread doing computer maintenance stuff. I don't find it fun. I was so thankful for the Tools plug-in because I *really* did not want to mess with installing Python on my mac. I am also too chicken to flash my Sony reader with custom firmware.

eP

Poppaea · 04-21-2011, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elemenoP

I am a user interface designer/information architect for the websites of a Fortune 500 consumer goods company. I also do front-end development (html and javascript, which is like programming for kiddies). I'm very tech-savvy but the funny thing is, I dread doing computer maintenance stuff. I don't find it fun. I was so thankful for the Tools plug-in because I *really* did not want to mess with installing Python on my mac. I am also too chicken to flash my Sony reader with custom firmware.

eP

This is because you love it so much and are afraid it bricks (for us parents of a Sony = gets hurt)

I think that's sweet

Sweetpea · 04-21-2011, 08:53 AM

I think I'm fairly tech-savy. I've been building my own pc's since I lived on my own. I do my own OS maintenance, both for my home computer and my work laptop.

I did chose the "Give me fifteen minutes with all of the hardware and software I need and I can build a working PC", though, I doubt it'll only take 15 minutes, installing Windows takes a lot longer these days!

And about flashing my Sony, I don't see any need as I only use the PDF reader anyway

(oh also because they removed the Dutch language and the reason for me to buy the Sony was to help my mother if she had problems, so I could check on my own device what she has to do)

elemenoP · 04-21-2011, 08:56 AM

Yes, Poppaea, that's exactly right!

eP

Hellmark · 04-21-2011, 09:00 AM

I am a sysadmin, and I program for fun in my spare time.

wyndslash · 04-21-2011, 09:01 AM

i don't think i'm very tech savvy, but i do like to tinker as long as i have instructions i can follow :P

AlbertaCowboy · 04-21-2011, 09:13 AM

I can usually make my computer do what I tell it to, with a minimum of promised violence...
If it has a GUI I'm good. Command line, code, CSS, regular expressions and the like are beyond me. I'm savvy enough to be able to create and format books, fix typos and cover images on purchased books and work most of the features of Calibre I need to. Tech savvy? Maybe not. Tech I-probably-won't-embarrass-myself-too-badly-if-I-give-it-a-shot? I can live with that.

jgaiser · 04-21-2011, 09:14 AM

20+ years with Intel. Software Evaluation Engineer. But I can hold my own with the hardware side.

Worldwalker · 04-21-2011, 09:27 AM

OMG ... jgaiser ... and I liked you!

I built my first computer from a bag of parts (yes, parts as in parts to be soldered to a board) and three conflicting sets of instructions. It was a ZX-81. I've been building computers ever since (and teaching other people to do so). I used to write and sell my own software, and before that I worked as a programmer; now I'm a freelance website designer, doing everything from front-end presentation to back-end code (generally in Perl). I've done occasional general IT consulting, written a biweekly newspaper column about computers, and am somewhat well-known for my saying (usually screamed at someone who says "I can't!") that "it's not aptitude, it's attitude."

Also, I sound a lot more impressive on paper than I really am!

p.s. It's "savvy".

DiapDealer · 04-21-2011, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elemenoP

because I *really* did not want to mess with installing Python on my mac.

No need to mess with installing Python on a Mac. If it's not a dinosaur (and it can't be if you're using the latest calibre and plugins)... OS X comes with Python already.

elemenoP · 04-21-2011, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

No need to mess with installing Python on a Mac. If it's not a dinosaur (and it can't be if you're using the latest calibre and plugins)... OS X comes with Python already.

Well I guess I'm not that savvy then!

I did, however, put my own fonts on my Sony and I worked out my own custom CSS which I add via Calibre. I think that I would have been less happy with my Sony "out of the box" because I really hate the font that it comes with. OTOH, maybe if I were a less-savvy person, I wouldn't notice what an awful font it is (I used to work in publishing as well).

eP

Bikeridr · 04-21-2011, 10:42 AM

I ticked the "Give me fifteen minutes.."
I've built 6 or 7 own desktops. I run/manage 4 websites (php/MySQL/XML) and are responsible for "all" PC's in my near family.

Also, I'm a gadget freak; having had (and solely use) HP RPN calulators since 1992, set up my own data network including integrating my audio/video system. I'm "sysadmin" at work (on a ship) and for my family. Including remote help/maintenance of family systems.

View Poll Results: How tech savy are forum members
PC, what's a PC	2	1.52%
Use PCs frequently but I often leave the complicated stuff to the help desk	9	6.82%
I can run my own PC	30	22.73%
Ipconfig/all is part of my vocabulary	23	17.42%
Give me fifteen minutes with all of the hardware and software I need and I can build a working PC	45	34.09%
I am a subject matter expert	20	15.15%
None of the above	3	2.27%
Voters: 132. You may not vote on this poll

04-21-2011, 08:02 AM	#1
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,030 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	Tech Savy Another mobile read forum member brought up an interesting point, how tech savy are forum members? In the real world I am employed as a network administrator so technology is what I do and electronic books are simply a natural extention of what I do already But how tech savy are the rest of the members?

04-21-2011, 08:53 AM	#6
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	I think I'm fairly tech-savy. I've been building my own pc's since I lived on my own. I do my own OS maintenance, both for my home computer and my work laptop. I did chose the "Give me fifteen minutes with all of the hardware and software I need and I can build a working PC", though, I doubt it'll only take 15 minutes, installing Windows takes a lot longer these days! And about flashing my Sony, I don't see any need as I only use the PDF reader anyway (oh also because they removed the Dutch language and the reason for me to buy the Sony was to help my mother if she had problems, so I could check on my own device what she has to do) Last edited by Sweetpea; 04-21-2011 at 08:58 AM.

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04-21-2011, 08:23 AM	#2
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,505 Karma: 204127028 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	I know enough to empty my bit-bucket when it gets full.

04-21-2011, 08:26 AM	#3
astrangerhere Professor of Law Posts: 3,751 Karma: 68428716 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Chapel Hill, NC Device: Kobo Elipsa, Kobo Libra H20, Kobo Aura One, KoboMini	I've built my last 4 computers.

04-21-2011, 08:33 AM	#4
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	I am a user interface designer/information architect for the websites of a Fortune 500 consumer goods company. I also do front-end development (html and javascript, which is like programming for kiddies). I'm very tech-savvy but the funny thing is, I dread doing computer maintenance stuff. I don't find it fun. I was so thankful for the Tools plug-in because I really did not want to mess with installing Python on my mac. I am also too chicken to flash my Sony reader with custom firmware. eP

04-21-2011, 08:56 AM	#7
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	Yes, Poppaea, that's exactly right! eP

04-21-2011, 09:00 AM	#8
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,592 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	I am a sysadmin, and I program for fun in my spare time.

04-21-2011, 09:01 AM	#9
wyndslash Wizard Posts: 2,951 Karma: 3000001 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kindle 3 wifi, Kindle Fire	i don't think i'm very tech savvy, but i do like to tinker as long as i have instructions i can follow :P

04-21-2011, 09:13 AM	#10
AlbertaCowboy Guru Posts: 819 Karma: 171672846 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Device: PRS-350, PRS-650, iPhone 6, NVIDIA Shield K1	I can usually make my computer do what I tell it to, with a minimum of promised violence... If it has a GUI I'm good. Command line, code, CSS, regular expressions and the like are beyond me. I'm savvy enough to be able to create and format books, fix typos and cover images on purchased books and work most of the features of Calibre I need to. Tech savvy? Maybe not. Tech I-probably-won't-embarrass-myself-too-badly-if-I-give-it-a-shot? I can live with that.

04-21-2011, 09:14 AM	#11
jgaiser Omnivorous Posts: 3,283 Karma: 27978909 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rural NW Oregon Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle 3, KPW1	20+ years with Intel. Software Evaluation Engineer. But I can hold my own with the hardware side.

04-21-2011, 09:27 AM	#12
Worldwalker Curmudgeon Posts: 3,085 Karma: 722357 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-505	OMG ... jgaiser ... and I liked you! I built my first computer from a bag of parts (yes, parts as in parts to be soldered to a board) and three conflicting sets of instructions. It was a ZX-81. I've been building computers ever since (and teaching other people to do so). I used to write and sell my own software, and before that I worked as a programmer; now I'm a freelance website designer, doing everything from front-end presentation to back-end code (generally in Perl). I've done occasional general IT consulting, written a biweekly newspaper column about computers, and am somewhat well-known for my saying (usually screamed at someone who says "I can't!") that "it's not aptitude, it's attitude." Also, I sound a lot more impressive on paper than I really am! p.s. It's "savvy".

04-21-2011, 10:42 AM	#15
Bikeridr Information Acquirer Posts: 436 Karma: 4265156 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Latvia, Rigas Rajons Device: Kindle 3 International, Pocketbook Color	I ticked the "Give me fifteen minutes.." I've built 6 or 7 own desktops. I run/manage 4 websites (php/MySQL/XML) and are responsible for "all" PC's in my near family. Also, I'm a gadget freak; having had (and solely use) HP RPN calulators since 1992, set up my own data network including integrating my audio/video system. I'm "sysadmin" at work (on a ship) and for my family. Including remote help/maintenance of family systems.