Tech Savy - Page 2

RainingLemur · 04-21-2011, 11:11 AM

Me likey build desktops.

I've done at least 5 in the last year.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 04-21-2011, 11:12 AM

I discovered ebooks by acting as a sysadmin in three offices, teaching users how to prepare and send digital files to networked printers, digitizing other office processes with off-the-shelf software, and maintaining WinPCs on a Linux file-sharing network. I self-taught in HTML along the way, and ran the websites of two offices and numerous clients.

Rumpelteazer · 04-21-2011, 11:41 AM

I used to build my own (and my family's) computer from scratch. At the moment I can't be bothered. After my trip to the UK I'm going to save up for a new desktop PC, I have the computer store put it together but I'm installing Windows myself (only because they automatically partition the HDD into two and I don't want that).

With software I'm adequate. I'm not messing about in the registry but I'm usually able to solve problems. It's the same as with the hardware; I used to have to patience to fiddle with everything to get it working the way I want to but I can't be bothered at the moment.

On the other hand, I can put together fuse boxes, install wall sockets, switches and dimmers. But that's because we sell them and I have to be able to explain to people how they have to install them (even if they don't believe me).

jocampo · 04-21-2011, 11:55 AM

I'm database administrator for the biggest IT company in the wolrd :-)

I used to work with hardware, assembly servers and PCs; not so much now, but I've loved technology and gadgets since I was a teenager. Learned to program in BASIC with a small CASIO calculator when I was 16 I think, lol ...

Overall, I consider Mobileread forum members really Tech Savy and smart, even when some of them are not even in the IT world.

paola · 04-21-2011, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyndslash

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

+1

Andrew H. · 04-21-2011, 12:26 PM

I frequently optimize my computer's CPU by carving new instruction sets on the processor using a microscope and a sharp sewing needle.

Also, when stranded alone on a deserted island, I once built a radio using coconuts and sea water.

:-)

jkeene · 04-21-2011, 12:28 PM

After 30+ years in IT, I've written assembler programs for five different architectures, and sometimes toggled them in on the front panel. Linked a routine to the nucleus, but know it's better not to.

I made it easier to run financial models that were then ignored, scored mortgages that you received and built systems that repackaged them into derivatives. I coached the programmers that matched your baggage to your flight, wrote the services you used to find the lowest price for your trip. I've written useful programs that use less space than your mouse pointer.

I found where a virtual machine evaluated truth incorrectly, then rewrote it.

Kvothe is much more well known than I am.

elcreative · 04-21-2011, 12:32 PM

Coconuts... height of simplicity, I only had bananas...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

I frequently optimize my computer's CPU by carving new instruction sets on the processor using a microscope and a sharp sewing needle.

Also, when stranded alone on a deserted island, I once built a radio using coconuts and sea water.

:-)

susan_cassidy · 04-21-2011, 01:39 PM

I'm a software person, not a hardware person, so choice #5 is not really me. But I can write you a database-backed web app in a very short time.

Not to mention the fact that I'm mostly a Linux person, who uses Windoze for word processing, browsing, and to ssh into Linux boxes.

chrisanthropic · 04-21-2011, 02:07 PM

I work in Satellite Communications. I have a habit of finding projects that force me to learn new geek tricks - web design, networking, simple bash scripts, etc. I'm mostly a linux user so my understanding tends to fall on that side of the fence.

patrickt · 04-21-2011, 03:28 PM

People like my 45-year old son who grew up with computers have a totally different relationship with the critters as does a 70-year old such as myself who learned about computers as an adult.

I consider myself a superior button pusher. I have built computers but that's almost like Legos now. Programming? Why bother? As cheap as programs are I'd rather not.

Nyssa · 04-21-2011, 03:37 PM

I chose "None of the Above". I'm kind of a hodge-podge of tech saviness.

I'm a mix of "Use PCs frequently but I often leave the complicated stuff to my husband". He is an invaluable resource, as he grew up building/repairing PCs and is now a software developer. Plus, "I can run my own PC ", plus "Give me fifteen minutes with all of the hardware and software I need and I can build a working PC". My husband made me build my own PC once, with his guidance of course. Although, Ipconfig/all is NOT part of my vocabulary.

elemenoP · 04-21-2011, 04:36 PM

Ha ha, in our house I am the technical one (I'm a woman) and my husband is not at all technical. He asks me to get the DVD going when we watch a movie.

eP

dickon25 · 04-21-2011, 04:36 PM

I've been using computers since my first Sinclair Spectrum but still don't really understand what's under the bonnet (hood, for those in the US

). I can work my way around most problems though, with the help of Google and Mobileread.

When I was at university I did a 1 year course in the new-fangled 'computer science'. Our programme had to be written out longhand, then each line punched onto a card which were all then wrapped with an elastic band and submitted to THE university computer. A couple of days later you'd collect your printout and see if the programme had run properly! I've never been able to get a handle on programming since !!

wodin · 04-21-2011, 04:52 PM

Over the last 25 years I’ve gone from PC tech to Sys Admin to Enterprise Management to my current job of IT Enterprise Program Manager. Over the years I've lost much of my nuts and bolts expertise, but have gained much in understanding of large enterprises.

But yes, in my tech days I’ve built many hundreds of PCs, and repaired thousands.

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, 04:36 PM	#29
dickon25 Groupie Posts: 199 Karma: 818 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: UK Device: Sony PRS-505. Pocketbook Inkpad 840	I've been using computers since my first Sinclair Spectrum but still don't really understand what's under the bonnet (hood, for those in the US ). I can work my way around most problems though, with the help of Google and Mobileread. When I was at university I did a 1 year course in the new-fangled 'computer science'. Our programme had to be written out longhand, then each line punched onto a card which were all then wrapped with an elastic band and submitted to THE university computer. A couple of days later you'd collect your printout and see if the programme had run properly! I've never been able to get a handle on programming since !! Last edited by dickon25; 04-21-2011 at 04:41 PM. Reason: program or programme??

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04-21-2011, 11:11 AM	#16
RainingLemur Spork Connoisseur Posts: 2,355 Karma: 16780603 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Nook Color	Me likey build desktops. I've done at least 5 in the last year.

04-21-2011, 11:12 AM	#17
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	I discovered ebooks by acting as a sysadmin in three offices, teaching users how to prepare and send digital files to networked printers, digitizing other office processes with off-the-shelf software, and maintaining WinPCs on a Linux file-sharing network. I self-taught in HTML along the way, and ran the websites of two offices and numerous clients.

04-21-2011, 11:41 AM	#18
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,302 Karma: 27518794 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	I used to build my own (and my family's) computer from scratch. At the moment I can't be bothered. After my trip to the UK I'm going to save up for a new desktop PC, I have the computer store put it together but I'm installing Windows myself (only because they automatically partition the HDD into two and I don't want that). With software I'm adequate. I'm not messing about in the registry but I'm usually able to solve problems. It's the same as with the hardware; I used to have to patience to fiddle with everything to get it working the way I want to but I can't be bothered at the moment. On the other hand, I can put together fuse boxes, install wall sockets, switches and dimmers. But that's because we sell them and I have to be able to explain to people how they have to install them (even if they don't believe me).

04-21-2011, 11:55 AM	#19
jocampo Layback feline Posts: 3,034 Karma: 6980745 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Oasis 2nd gen, Sony DPTS1, iPad Pro 10.5"	I'm database administrator for the biggest IT company in the wolrd :-) I used to work with hardware, assembly servers and PCs; not so much now, but I've loved technology and gadgets since I was a teenager. Learned to program in BASIC with a small CASIO calculator when I was 16 I think, lol ... Overall, I consider Mobileread forum members really Tech Savy and smart, even when some of them are not even in the IT world.

04-21-2011, 12:26 PM	#21
Andrew H. Grand Master of Flowers Posts: 2,201 Karma: 8389072 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Naptown Device: Kindle PW, Kindle 3 (aka Keyboard), iPhone, iPad 3 (not for reading)	I frequently optimize my computer's CPU by carving new instruction sets on the processor using a microscope and a sharp sewing needle. Also, when stranded alone on a deserted island, I once built a radio using coconuts and sea water. :-)

04-21-2011, 12:28 PM	#22
jkeene Connoisseur Posts: 83 Karma: 85586 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle 3	After 30+ years in IT, I've written assembler programs for five different architectures, and sometimes toggled them in on the front panel. Linked a routine to the nucleus, but know it's better not to. I made it easier to run financial models that were then ignored, scored mortgages that you received and built systems that repackaged them into derivatives. I coached the programmers that matched your baggage to your flight, wrote the services you used to find the lowest price for your trip. I've written useful programs that use less space than your mouse pointer. I found where a virtual machine evaluated truth incorrectly, then rewrote it. Kvothe is much more well known than I am.

04-21-2011, 01:39 PM	#24
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	I'm a software person, not a hardware person, so choice #5 is not really me. But I can write you a database-backed web app in a very short time. Not to mention the fact that I'm mostly a Linux person, who uses Windoze for word processing, browsing, and to ssh into Linux boxes.

04-21-2011, 02:07 PM	#25
chrisanthropic Fiend Posts: 148 Karma: 559930 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: none	I work in Satellite Communications. I have a habit of finding projects that force me to learn new geek tricks - web design, networking, simple bash scripts, etc. I'm mostly a linux user so my understanding tends to fall on that side of the fence.

04-21-2011, 03:28 PM	#26
patrickt Wizard Posts: 1,221 Karma: 8381518 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico Device: Paperwhite 4 X 2	People like my 45-year old son who grew up with computers have a totally different relationship with the critters as does a 70-year old such as myself who learned about computers as an adult. I consider myself a superior button pusher. I have built computers but that's almost like Legos now. Programming? Why bother? As cheap as programs are I'd rather not.

04-21-2011, 03:37 PM	#27
Nyssa Series Addict Posts: 6,180 Karma: 167189477 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florida, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite (2nd Gen)	I chose "None of the Above". I'm kind of a hodge-podge of tech saviness. I'm a mix of "Use PCs frequently but I often leave the complicated stuff to my husband". He is an invaluable resource, as he grew up building/repairing PCs and is now a software developer. Plus, "I can run my own PC ", plus "Give me fifteen minutes with all of the hardware and software I need and I can build a working PC". My husband made me build my own PC once, with his guidance of course. Although, Ipconfig/all is NOT part of my vocabulary.

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04-21-2011, 04:36 PM	#28
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	Ha ha, in our house I am the technical one (I'm a woman) and my husband is not at all technical. He asks me to get the DVD going when we watch a movie. eP

04-21-2011, 04:52 PM	#30
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	Over the last 25 years I’ve gone from PC tech to Sys Admin to Enterprise Management to my current job of IT Enterprise Program Manager. Over the years I've lost much of my nuts and bolts expertise, but have gained much in understanding of large enterprises. But yes, in my tech days I’ve built many hundreds of PCs, and repaired thousands.