A Guide to Geek Culture
Author: iDH Staff
BEST EXCUSE FOR LEAVING WORK: Premiere of "Star Trek" movies. Computerware and on-line networking conventions.
POOREST EXCUSE FOR LEAVING WORK: Childbirth, marriage, vacation, car repairs, weekend.
LUNCH-HOUR PASTIMES: Working out, group trips to Fry's Electronics stores.
WORK ATTIRE: Faded but readable T-shirts.
FAVORITE SHOES: Sneakers.
HAIRCUT: Maybe. Maybe not.
SOCKS: Maybe. Maybe not.
THIS YEAR'S HERO: Wayne of "Wayne's World."
FAVORITE TV SHOW: "Star Trek: the Next Generation."
RESPONSE TO PROBLEMS: "We could write a program."
FAVORITE WAY TO STAY IN TOUCH: E-mail.
SOCIAL INFIGHTING: Professional rivalry between software and hardware engineers.
JOKE: What's the difference between a computer salesman and a used car salesman? Answer: The used car salesman knows when he's lying.
JOKE: What is an IBM man-year? Answer: Seven hundred engineers finishing a project before lunch.
FAVORITE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Not registered to vote. Will not vote until ballots go on-line.
ULTIMATE HERO: Mr. Spock.
YESTERYEAR'S HEROES: Max Headroom, Data of the Starship Enterprise.
SEXUAL PREFERENCE: On-line networking with Compusex or Teledildonics.
BEST DATES: E-mail answers to singles ads.
ADDICTIONS: Computer solitaire, Computer anything.
LIGHT READING: Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, Omni, car magazines.
HEAVY READING: "A Brief History of Time" by Steven Hawking, "Jurassic Park," "Chaos," any science fiction, Calvin & Hobbes.
REQUIRED READING: "Neuromancer" by William Gibson.
THIS YEAR'S BUZZ WORDS: Object-oriented, Graphical User Interface, pronounced "Gooey."
LAST YEAR'S BUZZ WORDS: Virtual reality.
FAVORITE CONSUMER BUZZWORDS: Faster, remote controlled, radio controlled, state-of-the-art, satellite link.
FAVORITE AT-HOME TOY: Personal computer with 486/50 MHz chip, Unix operating system and XWindows software.
FAVORITE AT-WORK TOY: Maximum Supersoaker squirt gun.
