SYM Computer Geek Contest 2002

McBane · Post by **McBane** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 11:20 am

Originally posted by Minerva

You also need to give the reason why you nominated Mr Sleep, you know.

I would second this, as he believes Penfold is the real star of DangerMouse. Wait, that might mean he is just daft, not a geek...my bad.

I think I could qualify for the "Anti-Geek" If you asked me what type of system I use, I would have to reply "Hewlett Packard" (sp). Other than that....no idea..

But, I could tell you how many gallons are in a keg of Harp...

Minerva · Post by **Minerva** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 11:36 am

Originally posted by Kameleon

'Cos he's a geek. Isn't that enough?

No, it's not.

The reason is all of them nominated here are geeks. You have to give the reason why you think he's the best.

@HLD: Trying hard not to win?

ps. I'm wondering how about Buck? After all, he's got a server and have his own site which is supported by so many geeks...

<I think I should hide. Yes, that's what I should do...

>

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 12:13 pm

Originally posted by Minerva
@HLD: Trying hard not to win?

Minerva! I am shocked that you would accuse me of something so ridiculous! I am simply trying to ensure that SYM's most worthy computer geek (ie-Mr Flibble or Flanders) wins your contest.

It's called sandbagging.

I don't know if Buck counts because he only lurks around SYM. Besides, doesn't he subcontract out all of his server services and hosting?

Minerva · Post by **Minerva** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 12:19 pm

Originally posted by HighLordDave

Minerva! I am shocked that you would accuse me of something so ridiculous! I am simply trying to ensure that the most SYM's most worthy computer geek (ie-Mr Flibble or Flanders) wins your contest.

I didn't accuse you of anything. I just asked...

Originally posted by HighLordDave
I don't know if Buck counts because he only lurks around SYM. Besides, doesn't he subcontract out all of his server services and hosting?

I don't know how the server for this board works. In other words, he knows. And he even pays for it! I just thought he could be a geek, or maybe mad...

<hides>

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 12:40 pm

Originally posted by smass
Not that I need to add anything to my previous post - but I forgot to mention that I do have a 486sx25 system with a 5 1/4 inch floppy drive that I use to play older dos based games like Starflight (best game ever, period) and some of the old SSI D&D games.
<snip>

Hmm - powerhouse of a computer.
Maybe I should hook up my 286 10mhz computer and load up Phantasie I again

Demis · Post by **Demis** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 2:32 pm

Well i check Tech Forum every time i'm here so considering the replies and the contest of their posts here are my nominees: HLD, Mr Flibble, Mr Sleep and Ned

.

My vote however goes to Mr Flibble because his more in-depth knowledge and the impressively precise answers his gives.

I occasionally can give an answer to the questions there if the previous mentioned guys did not reply the first time

, and if they did then i realise again that they know and can explain things better.

By Ned
When something doesn't work optimally, I usually try a few basic tips and tricks, hit things hard, reinstall or replace.

Nice!

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 2:49 pm

I have a distant relative who actually solders motherboards and places all the little dohickeys on there, now that is a geek!

Mr Flibble · Post by **Mr Flibble** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 2:57 pm

Oooooohhh, nominted for the SYM Geek Awards! Thanks HLD & Ned!

Well here's the History of Computing as I've experienced:

For reference, I was born in '76. My family got our first computer in '81. The great and super powerful Acorn Electron (with the optional 3 1/2" floppy drive). Anyone who's seen one of there relics knows that it uses Basic as an operating system, so naturally I had to learn to program. We got several books and computer magazines to learn from and by age 9 I was writing my own games.

My first foray into the world of MS-DOS came 3 years later with the purchase of an amazingly fast 2.6MHz Amstrad XT. It was supposed to be so mum could work from home, but that didn't last long. Geek + new computer = MINE!! Eventually that got replaced with an even faster 12MHz 386SX. The first time I saw that machine is was running the original Civilization. Many Ooohs and Aaaahhs followed. That PC survived for 8 years as the family computer until my parents bought themselves a Dell Pentium 200MMX and I got to take the 386 to university with me. I quickly discovered that a 12MHz 386 is not fast enough to run a Pascal compiler properly, and for the first time I purchased my own computer.

My very first computer that I could call my own was a 486DX2-66. At the time 170MB was more than enough storage for anything and everything (yeah, right). I'd have to say this is where I became a true computer geek, for my precious little 486 was, well, a dog. It barked so loud it kept me awake at night! I quickly discovered the joys of late night OS reloads, panicking because an assignment was due the next morning and I couldn't even take the file to the computer labs on campus for printing. That got me hooked on solving computer problems. This machine eventually got upgraded to an AMD K6 200MHz. It was used at uni (mostly for games) for another year until I was offered a job doing what I loved: Fixing stuffed PC's.

Over the last 4 years of employment in the IT support industry, that very same computer has gone through upgrades almost every few months, and now sits here as a 1 year old Athlon 1200 (which I am now thinking of replacing).

Over the last 21 years of my involvement in computers I have been through a total of 9 different processors, 10 motherboards, 6 display cards, 8 hard drives, 3 monitors and 3 cases. I now have 4 computers here on my home network (I live alone, ALL MINE HAHAHAHAHA!!! sorry ) 2 at work, I maintain the 2 machines at my parents house and most of my friends and relatives come to me for advice before even looking at a manual. And yes, I have boxes of old computer bits, probably enough to build 4 or 5 more machines. I have all my systems hooked into an Allied Telesyn 8 port 100mbps switch and a 128kb DSL line.

I am proud to be a computer geek. Some people are shamed by it, but I say embrace it! It's what I'm good at, it's what pays for more techno-geek toys, and it's really the only job I'd ever want to do.

I gladly stand up and declare myself a SYM super-geek, and thank those who have acknowledged that and nominated me. Including myself.

And one last thing: the sign of a true computer geek, my main system is called Holly, in honour of the computer aboard the Small Rouge One! Yes there's a story to that, but that's for another time.

/end HLD mode.

That HLD mode is really catchy isn't it?

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 3:03 pm

I nominate you also Flibble, that is damn impressive, i might get around to posting mine later, might be bullet points though

Minerva · Post by **Minerva** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 4:26 pm

I can help you a bit, Mr Sleep.

Originally posted by Mr Sleep
i write HTML and you can basically do that on a 486, so i don't really have an excuse for a P4 2.53 with a GeFroce ti 4600...maybe i could move over to graphic design instead...then i would have an excuse for my Geekdom

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 4:37 pm

Originally posted by Minerva
I can help you a bit, Mr Sleep.

You quoted me! Well of all the downright naughty things to do

Minerva · Post by **Minerva** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 4:44 pm

Well, Mr Sleep, at least I did not misquote you.

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 5:23 pm

Originally posted by Mr Flibble
That HLD mode is really catchy isn't it?

I think I'm going to get a trademark on that and make everyone at SYM pay me a royalty fee everytime you guys try and up your words-per-post count.

The only way Mr Flibble doesn't get the SYM Computer Geek of the Year 2002 award is if the votes are rigged.

Someone start a poll and let's get this voting thing started!

Minerva · Post by **Minerva** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 5:53 pm

Originally posted by HighLordDave
Someone start a poll and let's get this voting thing started!

I'll do the poll, but first, all nominee should take part in debate just like real contest. You just need to show off...

No, it doesn't involve swimwear contest.

Mr Flibble · Post by **Mr Flibble** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 6:51 pm

Originally posted by Minerva
No, it doesn't involve swimwear contest.

Good. It's winter here and it would be a bit cold parading around in a bikini.

Silur · Post by **Silur** » Thu Aug 29, 2002 7:08 am

Actually, I think Mr Flibble's sig. puts him way ahead of any competition.

I really like it!

Kameleon · Post by **Kameleon** » Thu Aug 29, 2002 7:25 am

Originally posted by Silur
Actually, I think Mr Flibble's sig. puts him way ahead of any competition. I really like it!

ROFL I just saw it...

That's excellent, Mr. Flibble sir, you have my vote

Minerva · Post by **Minerva** » Thu Aug 29, 2002 11:50 am

Originally posted by Mr Flibble

Good. It's winter here and it would be a bit cold parading around in a bikini.

Fortunately, this contest will not involve someone who's keen on his speedo, so you don't have to show off.

And I don't expect computer geeds to be ladies eyes' friendly in bikini, anyway...

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Thu Aug 29, 2002 2:39 pm

My hopeless memory will inhibit this a little, i will do what i can:

As a family we started with a Commodore 64, unfortunately it broke down so they swapped it out for Amstrad CPC464 with a green screen

That survived many years up until my move up to the echelons of the Amiga 1200, with new flashy go faster stripes

That eventually broke down (and is in bits in the attic - completely mangled) then i moved onto a P75, that was fine for a while but then it came time for an upgrade.

Pentium 166, i was starting to learn how to mess with the computer, and i ended up screwing a few things up

Moved onto a Pentium Celeron 333, oh yeah feel the power...amusingly enough i use a P350 in work

Then a Pentium 450, this i still actually have the chip of, this was the first machine i really messed with, i changed it greatly including several different parts.

Now I am on to a Athlon 1200 and a 600Mhz and two other machines i am building which are as yet unknown...

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Thu Aug 29, 2002 2:54 pm

The trouble is, I cannot nominate just one

I have four regulars in mind....

Re history, I started out on an - damn what was the name of that TV console that let you play tennis with two white bars either side of the screen??

Then I proceeded to a ZX81 where you had to program each game before playing, with no way of saving - go Packman!

(16mb Ram upgrade was VERY exciting!!)

Then the Sinclair 64, then the Commodore 64 (I am getting boring) then the Amiga 500+ (two machines, one CRPG using 11 disks killed the first disk drive) and then!!

Da da da!! A K6 266 pc, chosen over the Amiga hard-drive for ability to use word processing

And now we are where we are.....

In addition to the above - the following consoles:

Gameboy (big grey breeze block)
SNES
Playstation 1
N64
Gameboy Colour
Now (and hiding behind TV because hubby insists on playing it first

)
Gamecube for my sons 7th birthday.

For Christmas he wants a PS2. It has bothered my brother in law that he chose the Nintendo Gamecube first, over the PS2 since my brother in law is a project manager for PS2