What is a "Computer Nerd"? Am I a computer nerd?
There are two ways to approach the first question...
One would be to split the phrase up into separate words, define each word, then combine the definitions...
Computer
computer n, often attrib (1646) : one that computers; specif : a programmable electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data
Nerd
nerd n [origin unknown] slang (1965) : an unpleasant, unattractive, or insignificant person
nerd n teenagers fr hotrodders and surfers A tedious, contemptible person; = dork, dweeb, jerk [perhaps fr earlier nert fr nerts fr nuts]
Hmm... that leaves us with an unpleasant, unattractive or insignificant programmable electronic device that can store, retrieve and process data.... Sounds like early IBMs...
Or perhaps a programmable person that can store, retrieve, and process unpleasant, unattractive, or insignificant electronic data.... Uh-oh.. that’s me... It seems I’ve answered the second question... oh well.. we’ll ignore it for now.
... And another would be to look at the phrase as a whole, see how people think of it, why they think of it, and what they think of it.
"Computer Nerd" seems to be a rather large category - at least as my generation uses it - encompassing programmers, BBSers, gamers... in fact, just about anyone who uses a computer for more than data processing or knows the difference between a hard disk and a 3.5" floppy disk...
Writer’s block ensues, and I take an hour break to check E-Mail. While on-line, I ask some friends what they think of when I say "Computer Nerd". Two said "You!", and another said her husband. They were all correct. One person I asked said "Someone who spends all their free time in front of a computer." Well, that actually sums it up quite well. But does it consider the social ramifications of that sort of life? No... clearly not....
What is it like to be a Computer Nerd?
Well, thus far we have established a reasonable working definition of a computer nerd, and we have determined that I am one. So.. what is it actually like to be a computer nerd?
Well, from an outside point of view - that is, from the point of view on a non-nerd - it might seem rather dull: sitting around in front of a computer all day, rarely going out with friends, having inane conversation with faceless people from nameless places...
But, from the point of view of the nerd himself, it’s a lot more interesting than that... I work, I play, I make friends, I live.. all on the computer... Without a computer I’m lost. I have a 486 in my room, I’m using to now to write this. I have a Newton that I carry everywhere - it contains my life, without it I can’t remember a thing. Before the Newton was a Wizard OZ-9600, before that, other Wizards... I’ve become totally dependant on computers. I’m unable to do simple arithmatic in my head -I use a calculator. Give me an equation to solve - done in no time... ask me to multiply 9 by 12 and you’ll have to give me a minute....108? something like that... anyway, I think I’ve made the point... Also, by this time you’ll have noticed something about my writing style. I tend to ramble and go off on tangents.. that’s because that’s how I think. In real-time chat, you don’t have time to re-write. <G>
My english teacher’s don’t like the way I write... I’ve tried to explain to them that this is how I think and I can’t change how I think... they don’t listen... oops... back to topic... um.. where was I?
Most of my friends I’ve met because of being on-line. If not for Catalyst BBS, I’d never have met Jeff Norris, and, through him, Katie Deuringer, Dan Bartal, and Shayne Uhr. Because I met Shayne, I became a user on Elysian Fields, which is what Catalyst became when Jeff had to sell it before he moved. Through EF, I met Tim and Janella Smith, the owners and SysOps of EF, both of whom I consider to be very good friends. I’ve also met several other people on EF, who I would also consider friends.
On America On-Line, I’ve met MANY people, many of whom I still stay in touch with. One of the most notable is Lori Robison, a genius and social engineer who is now helping me with the advancement of EDSU.
The instructions for this essay were to create a question that was relavant to me and to answer it. The purpose of the essay is to tell you about me. Well, I’m going to add part 11 (optional essays) here, since it is relavant to what I’ve been talking about so far....
Additional Information about Adam Smyth
I am a Socialist
I’m too pesimistic to be a communist... Humanity isn’t ready yet.
I am a strong supporter of personal privacy
I believe the government has no right to read my E-Mail, or anything else I write/create/do/think.
One thing I’d like to do is create a public-key encryption system, similar to RSA, but different enough to avoid patent infringment. I would then make this technology widely availible. Everywhere. For free.
I am and Informaniac and a Dataphile
I collect information for fun. Any Data. Any Author. Any Source. Any Time. Any Place. Data is what I do.
One thing I plan to do is to create my own information service, price it as close to free as possible, and make it publicly availible. As easy as AOL, as powerful as the whole of the InterNet.
I am ambitious.
If you didn’t gather that from the last two items, I’ll tell you now.
I plan to institute EDSU in the US, and eventually everywhere. I believe it is the best politico-economic model yet.
I plan to be the first human on Mars.
I’m anbitious... I think that should be clear now.
I am done.
I think this should be enough for you to know everything important about me. If it isn’t, E-Mail me.