Geek: a definition
with apologies to Chris

I found this (somewhat) in-depth description out on the Web. Not everything applies to me, but it's the closest thing that I've found. Read on, and enjoy.

"But just what is a geek?" you ask. Well, I'll tell you. At least, I'll tell you my definition... which may be different from "general usage" of the term, Webster's definition, and even the definition used by other geeks.

A geek is someone who spends time being "social" on a computer. This could mean chatting on irc or icb, playing multi-user games, posting to alt.kill.barney.particle.physics, or even writing shareware. Someone who just uses their computer for work, but doesn't spend their free time "on line" is not a geek. Most geeks are technically adept and have a great love of computers, but not all geeks are programming wizards. Some just know enough UNIX to read mail and telnet out to their favorite MUD.

Geeks are generally social outcasts from mainstream America. The ranks of geekdom are swelled with gamers, science fiction fans, punks, programmers, nerds, subgenii, and trekkies. These are people who did not go to their high school proms, and many would be offended by the suggestion that they should have even wanted to. Geeks prefer to socialize with other geeks, the self-proclaimed "weird". Therefore they go online to organize parties, food runs, drink runs, and movie nights, and be assured that their companions would rather talk about superheros as modern mythology than the latest football scores.

Geeks are their own society: a literate, hyper-informed underground. The community accepts people from all walks of life, assuming they have access to the net and the skill to use it. You can't tell if someone is a geek just by looking at them, there is no dress code. Some dress casual, some prefer silk - but few pay attention to current fashion. You are more likely to see a geek in a renaissance bodice than a dress from a glamour magazine; or in a kilt instead of suit and tie.

The unwritten geek credo states that originality and strangeness are good, and that blind conformity and stupidity are unforgivable.

Take care not to confuse the terms geek and nerd. A nerd is a person with no social skills, usually obsessed with science or technology (geek is more computer specific). Nerds are known for their pocket protectors, taped glasses, and plaid shirts. Many nerds are also geeks, using the net as a safe screen to hide behind while practicing their social skills. However they rarely come out to be seen in person at live geek events, so there is little reason to be concerned.

The term hacker tends to refer to the more programming intense set of the geek crowd. However the term is overused in the popular media, and therefore is no longer much used among "real geeks". Hacker also has negative connotations related to cracking, or illegally obtaining access to computers and accounts.

Geek can also be used as a verb. "To geek" is to sit online and read mail, news, chat, and otherwise waste time in front of a keyboard. This "geeking" often consumes many hours, even if the intention was to "just log in and check my mail." Some would say this time would be better spent being social in person or even just being curled up in a sunbeam.

There is also a geek code. You may see these in the tagline, or signature, of a geek's email. This is a shorthand that geeks use to quickly identify themselves and their interests to other geeks. You will find mine immediately below, and a thorough explanation here. To automatically decode it, go here.

-----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
Version: 3.12
GAT !d->-(---)@ s: a37 C++++ P+>+++ L+>++ W++>+++ N++ w++++$ !O M(-) PS+ PE++@ Y+(++) PGP>++ t+++@ 5+++ X+>++ R- tv+@ b++++ DI++ G e+ h++(----) r+++ y++++
------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------