So let's see where I stand:
- Build a PC from Scratch. Done that. Only when they say 'from scratch' they mean from modules. I've done that 10 times or more. However, the first computer I built was in 1978, and it was way more than sliding in modules - it entailed soldering in every IC chip, every keyboard spring, the flyback yoke on the video monitor, solenoids on the paper-tape punch-reader - stuff like that. So been there, done that, squared. One interesting caveat - it cost me $3,600, plust $2,500 (dual 8" floppy drives with 256K storage each) for a total of $6,100; I could have bought a new car at that time for that much money (I paid $9,000 for a brand new 280Z at that time).
- Overclock a PC. The most recent ASUS motherboard I bought and installed into my trading platform makes it way-easier than it used to be to do this.
- Build a Robot or Drone Flying Machine. Nope, haven't done this, as I haven't had the desire. But do-able? Sure. Unless...we include my robot to turn my porch heater on and off...so, unless, by definition a 'robot' includes mobility, then I've done this. But I think the 'flavor' of this question probably includes mobility.
- Hack your body with a geek tattoo. That may be in their definition of what constitutes a 'geek', but it isn't in mine, so I'm putting a rubber stamp on this one that says: "AAAAhhhhh - wrong question'. If you can't find anything more geeky then this, the go back to sleep.
- Live on Linux for at least a month. Lived on UNIX for years, first time was on Coherent, which preceded Linux by a couple of years, and have been running Linux on various older machines since 1997 or so. I remember getting a UseNet invitation from Linus Torvalds to participate in building Linux.
- Perform Invasive Surgery on a Mobile Device. Nope, not interested in 'jail-braking' any of my devices, and voiding warranties. There's too many gadgets out there that do everything I want without having to go jail-break something and voiding the warranty. I don't agree with the premise of this question either. So, invalid question for geeky.
- Creat a man cave. Boy, have I ever done that! Three tree-houses, one porch (where I can drink Scotch and smoke cigars while listening to Blues), and one finished pine-paneled basement (even the ceiling!) with recessed wooden ceiling trays. One difference: I love having females in my man-caves! And they appear to love being there!
- Carry Around Essential PC Apps on a USB Stick. Well, they aren't in my pocket, because - what's the point? But I do have them at my desk and in my personally belongings. I frequently use Linux live-cd boots to correct Windows PC boot issues.
- Brew Your Own Beer or Distill Your Own Moonshine. Are you kidding me? I'm a Southerner! Bet-cher-ass.
So, I'm claiming I passed. And if you look at #1, there's hardly anyone in my league ... not because they aren't smart enough, but because I don't think you can actually by the parts to do this anymore.
Important stuff they left out:
- Have a home network with 10 PCs or more.
- Have a home network with Linux, Windows, and Mac OSes on it.
- Designed and built hardware stereo sound amplifiers. Extra points for putting them into Altoid tin boxes.
- Designed and built Arduino devices, such as: BBQ Smoker Controllers; Gas Heater temperature controllers; PID controllers; Sous Vide controller; Low Temperature Oven controller; air valve controller.
- Know how to use an oscilloscope, function generator, frequency counter. And when to use them.
- Instrument rating for private pilot.
- Design sundials. And that means derive your own spherical triganometry calculations - not getting them from a book.
- Know why the answer is wrong when the teacher tells you that astronauts float in the space shuttle because there isn't any gravity.....well double-damn crap - if there wasn't any gravity, then the space shuttle wouldn't stay circling the earth - it would shoot off into space.
So, I think they are either geek-wannabees, or else I've got a Phd in Geek.
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