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Updating Your Utility Belt

codinghorror.com

11–20 of 44 posts

Re: Updating Your Utility Belt

#11
I really miss carrying a knife, but since 9/11 it has been almost impossible to actually, you know, go anywhere. I have had multiple times when I simply forgot to ditch it before going out and wasn't able to get into places, particularly museums. Having one attached to my keychain? I'd never remember to take it off.

Plus, carrying that thing around in your jeans pocket looks uncomfortable, I can barely manage a wad of keys.

Re: Updating Your Utility Belt

#12
post #9
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am not so sure. I draw a joke distinction between a geek and a nerd like this. A geek is someone who loves technology and toys. A nerd is someone who gets utterly obsessed by a particular topic. I usually bring this up when explaining to a fellow programmer that I'm a nerd but not a geek. Which fact I then demonstrate by pulling out my flip phone. If they proceed to doubt that I am a nerd, I'll then offer to explai…

Seems like irrelevant categorizing that doesn’t make much sense and isn’t very useful. Who cares what you are in terms of dumb categories like that?

> Who cares what you are in terms of dumb categories like that?

Certain kinds of nerds do (though usually not geeks).

Seems like pretty handy categorising - it's come in handy already! :P

Re: Updating Your Utility Belt

#13
"And there's also a nail file, on the other side of the screwdriver, but what is this obsession with nail files on multi-tools? Who are these people filing their nails all the damn time? I've never filed my nails once in my entire life! Can anyone mansplain this to me?"

Jagged, unfiled nails are viewed by women (accurately) as a major sign of sexual inexperience/ineptitude...

Re: Updating Your Utility Belt

#14
post #9
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am not so sure. I draw a joke distinction between a geek and a nerd like this. A geek is someone who loves technology and toys. A nerd is someone who gets utterly obsessed by a particular topic. I usually bring this up when explaining to a fellow programmer that I'm a nerd but not a geek. Which fact I then demonstrate by pulling out my flip phone. If they proceed to doubt that I am a nerd, I'll then offer to explai…

Seems like irrelevant categorizing that doesn’t make much sense and isn’t very useful. Who cares what you are in terms of dumb categories like that?

Because you can be one without the other, and people frequently assume that because you're one, it means that you're the other--and predict your actions based on that (for example, by buying you stupid geek toys when you are merely a nerd.)

Re: Updating Your Utility Belt

#15
I used to respect Jeff a lot, partly because of his stackoverflow fame. However, these days I find him annoying, as he has just become part of the "noise" we all find unproductive. This post just strengthens my point, where he buys useless bling to show off and everyone applauds him for being a materialistic prat.

I'll probably get downvoted but I've just had enough of this 'utility belt' bull.

Re: Updating Your Utility Belt

#16

I used to respect Jeff a lot, partly because of his stackoverflow fame. However, these days I find him annoying, as he has just become part of the "noise" we all find unproductive. This post just strengthens my point, where he buys useless bling to show off and everyone applauds him for being a materialistic prat. I'll probably get downvoted but I've just had enough of this 'utility belt' bull.

He's been doing this post since 2005, so I don't think much has changed.

Plus you can buy the entirety of his 'useless bling' for $35, and it seems pretty obvious to me that he actually uses these tools on a daily basis.

The only thing I didn't really like were the affiliate links without disclaimer... but it's not that big a deal.

Re: Updating Your Utility Belt

#18
post #8
post #2

"every self-respecting geek has one" I realize Jeff's just being...poetic, but really it's just an excuse to buy toys. Spend your money on what makes you happy. If more gadgets, or that 6th purse, or 20th pair of shoes does that, great. If you want to define [part of] yourself by your possessions, do that. But don't judge others by the lack of theirs.

I am not so sure. I draw a joke distinction between a geek and a nerd like this. A geek is someone who loves technology and toys. A nerd is someone who gets utterly obsessed by a particular topic. I usually bring this up when explaining to a fellow programmer that I'm a nerd but not a geek. Which fact I then demonstrate by pulling out my flip phone. If they proceed to doubt that I am a nerd, I'll then offer to explai…

Do fellow programmers tend to back away slowly? :)

Both words seem to be used to describe people that like specific categories of things but are unpopular or awkward. I refuse to be labeled with either regardless of any fine distinction in meaning. To me, what you are describing is like, "no I'm a douche, not an asshole." (I think you are neither, just an analogy.)

Re: Updating Your Utility Belt

#19
post #7
post #2

"every self-respecting geek has one" I realize Jeff's just being...poetic, but really it's just an excuse to buy toys. Spend your money on what makes you happy. If more gadgets, or that 6th purse, or 20th pair of shoes does that, great. If you want to define [part of] yourself by your possessions, do that. But don't judge others by the lack of theirs.

Yeah. If you need to unlock doors, then you need keys. But you don't need a flashlight all the time unless you are a security guard or something. We might as well be talking about purses.

That's what I thought, until I started carrying one. Now I use it all the time for mundane tasks such as finding something that dropped under my car seat, plugging in an ethernet cable under my desk, rummaging around in the back of a closet, and so on. It really makes life easier, especially as I find my night vision isn't as good as it used to be. LED lights and Li-ion batteries last for ages, so it's hardly an inconvenience.

Re: Updating Your Utility Belt

#20

My "everyday carry" is the remote fob for my car, my phone, my license and two credit cards. I have no need for anything Jeff considers essential, including keys -- HomeLink in my car opens the garage door to get in and out. Some day my phone will be able to pay for my purchases (not everywhere has NFC terminals yet) and start my car. The only thing that doesn't seem to be on the horizon is ID. I suppose I would leav…

What happens when there is a power outage at your home? How do you get in then?
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