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Updating Your Utility Belt

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Re: Updating Your Utility Belt

#31

Post by derefr »

arrrg wrote: post #27
derefr wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.)

So, why not eschew those categories altogether and reject them outright? It seems to me they are too, well, mushy to be really useful.

I don't understand what you're saying. The reason it is useful to make this distinction, is to explain to people that don't see the distinction (and thus assume that, for example, someone who likes math watches Firefly; or that someone who collects MTG cards will be able to fix their computer), that in fact there is a practical difference between the two categories, and that they should keep them in mind so as to not offend people that aren't both by assuming they have traits of a group they don't.

Re: Updating Your Utility Belt

#32

Post by entrode »

arrrg wrote: post #9
btilly wrote: 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?

I believe "geek" typically describes someone obsessed with a particular topic and/or with media/games/tech/some-corner-of-popular culture. Conversely, "nerd" typically describes someone obsessed with a particular academic topic and/or with learning in general. It's a significant difference.

Though not typical, it's also worthwhile to remove the "socially awkward" connotations of the use of "nerd" and "geek" terms and ascribe those to "dork" instead. Many self-described geeks and/or nerds don't consider themselves socially handicapped and it's deleterious to society to muddle academic engagement with social impairment.

Re: Updating Your Utility Belt

#33

Post by runjake »

freddigbjk wrote: post #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.

It's just a post on his personal website. He's not forcing you to read it. You're the one turning it into "noise". You're the one letting it make you unproductive. It's not his job to be your nanny, frankly.

Re: Updating Your Utility Belt

#34

Post by RBerenguel »

Recently updated my utility rack. Now it's full of heel irons, welt irons and a few flat irons. I'm a moonlighter shoemaker, and I don't spend zilch on (not sure how to define these things!) "techno tools." My most recent advanced gadget-related purchases have been:

* A set of 18 shoemaking tools, second hand. Currently cleaning and restoring each one * Macbook Air (a needed update to my Early 2008 White Macbook) * Portable HD (I needed a few extra GB) * Circular slide rule (because I always wanted one and it's a beautiful little and cheap geek gadget)

That's it. I'd never think of spending money on a combo tool: I have a beautiful workshop where I have one of each of these tools (or many of them) in perfect condition. Also, I'm of the opinion that a good tool should do one job perfectly (except emacs, that's it.) This is why I have a dumbphone and and iPod Touch. Actually my dumbphone doubles as flashlight, which is pretty cool because I'd never remember where my flashlight is.

Re: Updating Your Utility Belt

#35

Post by tdfx »

dangrossman wrote: post #10

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…

You can get a phone case for carrying your license and credit cards. One less separate item.

Re: Updating Your Utility Belt

#36

Post by zbruhnke »

I am the only one who read this article and immediately thought "Did he really have to worry that someone would try to make copies of his keys from a photo"??

Makes you kind of sad that people have to fear other people's cruel intentions so much

Re: Updating Your Utility Belt

#40

Post by skyebook »

zbruhnke wrote: post #36

I am the only one who read this article and immediately thought "Did he really have to worry that someone would try to make copies of his keys from a photo"?? Makes you kind of sad that people have to fear other people's cruel intentions so much

Would you leave a password or IP address unscrambled in a blog post? It doesn't seem unreasonable to obfuscate that which can be used against you, whether or not anyone actually will.

I did wonder why not just take the keys out of the photo, but my guess is that it serves to show how bulky/not-bulky the stuff is.

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