This is sort of a joke thread, I guess trying to poke fun at myself. So yeah, is it more dorky that I have 2 computers in my room (both running totally different stuff) or that I have 2 bookshelves full of books (not to mention stacks of other books and magazines around my room)? I would probably say the former, but the latter is nearly as bad. Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
*snort* I'm guessing many people here have you beat on computers and bookshelves. Two and two is nothing.
Posted by bunbun (Member # 6814) on :
You have 1) the computers and 2) the books and 3) you've posed this question, which may be dorkier than either 1) or 2).
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
Well, I have more computers, just not here with me. I've run out of room space-wise. Books too (seeing as how I have 2 or 3 other bookshelves at home full of books as well).
EDIT: The two computers I have with me are an iMac running 10.4.2 and a PC running a version of FreeBSD (what version escapes me). At home, I've got a PC running Windows XP Pro and a PC running Windows 98. I'm sure someone out there has me beat, but I've still got a decent number for a 20 year old.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
What are your machines running?
That says a lot about dorkiness for me.
EDIT: Never mind, you answered already.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Well, I don't know. Here, we have three computers in constant use between two people. And between my husband and I, we have, at a guess, a few thousand paperbacks. Then we have somewhere around a thousand movies on DVDs. Dork? Or packrat?
Eh.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Ok you need something running Linux or have a great desire to have something running Linux. And bookshelves, eh, not so dorky. What kind of books are on those bookshelves though? Are they Computer Science related books? Dungeons and Dragons books?
Posted by Boris (Member # 6935) on :
quote:Originally posted by pfresh85: Well, I have more computers, just not here with me. I've run out of room space-wise. Books too (seeing as how I have 2 or 3 other bookshelves at home full of books as well).
EDIT: The two computers I have with me are an iMac running 10.4.2 and a PC running a version of FreeBSD (what version escapes me). At home, I've got a PC running Windows XP Pro and a PC running Windows 98. I'm sure someone out there has me beat, but I've still got a decent number for a 20 year old.
Yeah. You're a dork. But if you wanted to graduate to geek status, you would have listed some specs. "Come on, man! Windows 98??? My video card's better than that computer!"
Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
Two bookshelves? Dude, that doesn't even take you into contention.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Right. I mean, even I have five bookshelves (several shelves of which have 4 layers of paperbacks).
And one is filled primarily with books not written in English.
It's like you're not even trying. Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
In regards to books, I have all kinds. I've got some science fiction and some fantasy on there. I've got some programming books, and quite a few books in Japanese. I've also got a few history books here and there. I've got some books on writing, and so forth. As far as specs, I can only offer vague estimates (since I only mess with some of the computers from time to time and most times aren't focused on specs).
iMac G4 1.25Ghz, 512MB RAM, Some kind of video card (I think it's a GeForce FX card).
PC running FreeBSD has a Pentium 1 of some kind in it and only 128 MB of RAM. It has an integrated video with the mother board.
PC running Windows XP Pro is a Pentium 3 of some kind, 512 MB RAM, and has a Voodoo 3 card in it (I believe)
PC running Windows 98 is a Pentium 2 of some kind, 256 MB RAM, some kind of video card (don't remember what kind off the top of my head)
EDIT: Hey, if I could have more bookshelves in here, I would. I don't have anymore bare walls to put bookshelves on though. That's what I get for living in an apartment though.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Neh, you're bookshelves don't count. I've got a few housemates who could top that with a tiny bookshelf.
Posted by Avadaru (Member # 3026) on :
I ran out of bookshelves to the point that books replaced dishes on most of my kitchen shelves.
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
Well I'd put books there, but between my dishes and the dishes of my roommate, we've filled up all the kitchen cabinets. I've got some space in my closet possibly to put more books, but at the moment the number of books I have here isn't increasing. I think when I do my final move (to wherever I get a job after college), I will probably have way too many books (between those I have here and the large stockpile I left at home).
Posted by ambyr (Member # 7616) on :
Books ALWAYS outnumber bookshelves. It's one of the fundamental laws of physics. Has to be.
Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
Posted by Boris (Member # 6935) on :
Oooh...Sorry on those specs. That doesn't even add up to my 1 computer.
Looks like you're stuck as a lowly dork, man.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
I'm running out of room on my bookshelf because I keep buying OSC books!
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
I probably read as much as anybody here, but I rarely buy books, preferring to use the local libraries instead. I've never seen the point of having books around that I'm never going to read again. The books I do buy are books I plan to read again and again, like LOTR and, of course, Ender's Game.
And I have one computer at home, and it runs Windows 98. I'm the lowliest dork that ever dorked.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Hey, dude, I was only talking about my paperbacks. I didn't even bother telling you about all the non-fiction, hard-covers, etc.
And I've regularly had two or more computers for just me back in the day before I got married. My brother usually has at least 6 desktops running, and one or two laptops going, at any given point in time.
Seriously. Try a little harder. Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
I'd try harder, but I have no income. I live off of scholarships and financial aid, so little money is available for spending. Oh well. I still claim the title of dork. No one can take that from me.
EDIT: In regards to the library thing, I do that at times when I'm at home. At college, I've been too lazy to get a library card for the real public library, and I'm not particularly fond of the school's library.
Posted by Amanecer (Member # 4068) on :
The Richardson Library is quite nice. And all you need to get a card is a bill with your name and address on it (a copy of your lease would probably work too). It's on Arapaho right off of 75. I went there all the time before I got rid of my car. Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
Eh, too lazy. Plus I've got a backlog of recreational reading at the moment.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
If you have a backlog of recreational reading, and have not run out of books to read, you don't own enough bookshelves. Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
quote:Originally posted by pfresh85: I'd try harder, but I have no income. I live off of scholarships and financial aid, so little money is available for spending. Oh well. I still claim the title of dork. No one can take that from me.
Certainly I can, just watch :
Hear ye! Hear ye! By the power vested in me as Offical Hatrack Decider of Dorkiness, I hereby strip the poster pfresh85 of the title of 'dork', and all privileges, duties, incomes, and estates thereunto appertaining. For whereas he has proved his unfitness for such honourable address, we, the Association of Dork-kind, cast him forth from our midst, to languish among the mundane non-readers. Let none address him by his former title, nor invite him to gatherings of our kind, nor in any way treat him as a true dork; upon pain of like expulsion.
Done on the 29th of August, 2005, in the presence of the undersigned witnesses :
X (King of Men, his mark)
(Now the rest of you sign).
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
X (quidscribis, her mark)
(Twice in one week I've agreed with King of Men. The universe is surely coming to an end, colliding with parallel universes and other dimensions in an explosive fireball of fury. I have seen two signs, and it has been confirmed.)
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Rule of thumb:
If you have to ask if you are a dork, you are.
Two bookshelves? Only two?? What are you, illiterate?
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:Originally posted by Tante Shvester: Rule of thumb:
If you have to ask if you are a dork, you are.
Another one: if you whine about how you are an adult now, you aren't.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Wait - do y'all live in Dallas? I go to institute in Richardson. What are y'all doing for the Serenity opening? I was thinking about arranging a shindig.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
This discussion of bookshelves reminded me of a conversation I had last week at a seminar in Atlanta with a sales rep for a lighting company. We were in the seminar, just had lunch, and with 20 minutes to go until the next session, I broke out The Worthing Saga (I was rereading it).
He then did the typical "What book are you reading" and I gave him the quick synopsis and author background info. Then, he proceeded to inform me, loudly, proudly, that he'd never read a book!
In his whole life (he's 42). He claimed the last book he read cover to cover was his first grade primer. He said he skimmed his required reading in high school, and he didn't go to college (I had to bite my tongue to keep from going "Really!"). I couldn't believe it.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I've met a few people like that, JT.
I once stayed at someone's house that I had never been in before, and kept having the feeling that something was wrong, but couldn't figure out what. Eventually I realized: they had NO BOOKCASES. Anywhere in the house!
And she was a teacher!
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
The Worst Date of My Life was with a guy I'd met in a bookstore - he was working behind the counter. Over dinner, he told me he hadn't read a book in five years, and that his favorite book was a dating advice manual for teenagers.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Even my friends from high school who were total delinquents and work minimum wage jobs had read at least a few books recreationally.
This guy was relatively intelligent and well-spoken. The thing I really couldn't believe was how firm his belief was that he was better off having never read a book. "Think how much time I've saved by not reading!" he said.
Time spent reading is never wasted, I said. I felt sorry for him.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Ah, I'm a home care nurse, so I go into people's homes all the time. Most people are not book readers. Some read, but only magazines or newspapers. Others don't read at all, they watch TV. Of all the homes that I go to, perhaps less than 5% have bookshelves with books. (The shelf of cookbooks in the kitchen doesn't count). I'd say that the majority have nothing beyond the telephone book and the bible.
It is a definite sense of relief and comfort to be in a house with books. I feel as if these are people that I can relate to. My conversations and teaching with the literate patients are definitely different than those with their un-booked counterparts.
It's the cool thing about Hatrack -- we are all literate.
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
quote:Originally posted by advice for robots: I'm the lowliest dork that ever dorked.
That's no attitude to have! You're an editor—a veritable king among dorks! Hold your head high with pride.
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
But I'm not a computer hobbyist, the last computer game I played was Myst, and I can't stand anime. I relate to dorks, but I'm not sure I'm a very good one.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
It was quite the revelation for me when I realized that while I was attracted to and definitely was a definite geek, not all geeks are alike. I admire and appreciate, but do not relate to, the computer and math kind.
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
There's so much more to dorkdom than computer games and anime.
Posted by Peter Howell (Member # 8072) on :
You're not a true dork until you've installed LFS (I'll accept Gentoo) on a remote machine with no CD drive.
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
Does dork = geek?
Are there substantial differences?
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
--Enigmatic
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
quote:Originally posted by katharina: Wait - do y'all live in Dallas? I go to institute in Richardson. What are y'all doing for the Serenity opening? I was thinking about arranging a shindig.
Both Amanecer and I live in Richardson, since we go to UTD here. In fact, she and I have a class together this semester (just as we had class together last semester). I don't think I'm doing anything for the Serenity opening, since I don't think I even know what that is (is that the Firefly movie thing or something?). I can't speak for Amanecer though.
As for the geek chart, I'm about two levels above furries and very glad that I have never had any real encounters with said furries.
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
quote:Originally posted by advice for robots: Does dork = geek?
Are there substantial differences?
I don't think there are any definitions of geek, nerd, and dork that everyone can agree on.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
I think we can all agree that Jon Boy is a dork.
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
[Kip] Your mom is a dork. [/Kip]
Posted by Amanecer (Member # 4068) on :
quote: I don't think I'm doing anything for the Serenity opening, since I don't think I even know what that is (is that the Firefly movie thing or something?)
*GASPS* Yes, it is a movie based on Firefly. Would you like to borrow the Firefly DVDs?
As for going to the opening, I had tentative plans to see it with Rico and another friend of ours, but perhaps I could convince them to come to Richardson and join us. Or if that doesn't work out, I could always see it multiple times. So, yeah, count me in.
Posted by Rico (Member # 7533) on :
I'd be up for coming to see it too, as Amanecer already knows Posted by The Reader (Member # 3636) on :
My parents have five 72in tall x 30 in wide x by 12 in deep bookshelves completely filled with all kinds of books, with books stacked in front of the shelves, books stuffed in every nook and cranny, and they have enough books in boxes to fill five or six more bookshelves of the same size.
Now that they have gotten the kids still at home (all but me) into some kind of computer correspondence courses, they have four computers (there are enough people for that many).
My dad is sci-fi fan, mechanic, electrician, etc., and my mom is a poet. My sister does nothing but read, not even chores (is that bad?). My less-then-10 year old brother writes, and writes, and writes. It's actually good stuff for his age. And he loves science.
I am proud to come from a distinguished family of geeks. [/gloating]
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The universe is surely coming to an end, colliding with parallel universes and other dimensions in an explosive fireball of fury. I have seen two signs, and it has been confirmed.)
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