If
you consider yourself a geek, or aspire to the honor of geekhood, here’s an
essential checklist of must-have geek skills.
The term ‘geek’, once
used to label a circus freak, has morphed in meaning over the years. What was
once an unusual profession transferred into a word indicating social
awkwardness. As time has gone on, the word has yet again morphed to indicate a
new type of individual: someone who is obsessive over one (or more) particular
subjects, whether it be science, photography, electronics, computers, media, or
any other field. A geek is one who isn’t satisfied knowing only the surface
facts, but instead has a visceral desire to learn everything possible about a
particular subject.
A techie geek is
usually one who knows a little about everything, and is thus the person family
and friends turn to whenever they have a question. If you’re that type of
person and are looking for a few extra skills to pick up, or if you’re a newbie
aiming to get a handhold on the honor that is geekhood, read on to find out
what skills you need to know.
1. The Meaning of Technical Acronyms
· USB – Universal Serial Bus
· GPU – Graphics Processing Unit
· CPU – Central Processing Unit
· SATA – Serial ATA
· HTML – Hyper-text Markup Language
· HTTP – Hypertext Transfer Protocol
· FTP – File Transfer Protocol
· P2P – Person to Person data sharing
2. How to Reset RAM
If
you rolled your eyes here, that is a good thing. If not, you have many things to
learn, young padawan. It’s amazing how few people know how to do this. If
you’re unsure, hit up the link below to find out how:
3. Identify Keyloggers
Internet
cafes are the most likely place you’ll find them, followed by library, perhaps,
and maybe even you own house if you’ve some unscrupulous friends/family.
Identity theft groups warn about keyloggers and advocate checking out the
keyboard yourself before continuing. Can you identify a keylogger, however, if
one is plugged into the back of the system?
Here’s
what one looks like:
Hit
up this link for excellent info on keyloggers on public computers and how to
protect yourself:
4. Surf the Web Anonymously
We
won’t make any assumptions about why you may need this particular skill, but
the fact remains that every geek should know how to traverse the Internet with
the highest amount of security possible.
Aside
from the safest method–which is using a connection that is not yours–you will
need the ultimate in proxies…Tor. Tor is an onion-routing system which makes it
‘impossible’ for someone to find out who you actually are.
5. Bypass a Computer Password on All
Major Operating Systems
Obviously
you shouldn’t use this to gain unlawful access to a computer. If you’re a geek,
however, you’ll eventually end up in a situation where someone forgets their
password, you acquire a machine with an operating system you cannot access, or
similar situation.
See
this tutorial for info on how to bypass the password on the three major
operating systems: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
6. Find a Users IP Address on AIM
Knowing
someones IP address is actually pretty useless in this case, but most people
don’t realize that. If someone is harassing you via AIM and you can’t get them
to stop, discovering their IP and sending it to them–with a nicely worded
threat of law enforcement involvement should they not stop–is likely enough to
send them scamping away with tail between legs.
7. Hide a File Behind a JPEG
So
you need a nice spot to hide your blackmail personal files. You could, of
course, bury them deeply within a series of random, useless folders, but
there’s always the chance of them being discovered. A password protected RAR is
the best choice, but it’s a bit obvious despite the most boring title you could
give it.
A
sneaky person would hide the important file behind a completely random and
boring family reunion photo, where no person in their right mind would shift
through.
8. Crack a Wifi Password
This
is one of those things you don’t need to do (hopefully), but that you still
need to know just for the sake of knowledge. A strong WPA password is very
secure, but most people don’t want to bother learning a convoluted series of
letters, numbers, and symbols, instead opting for random everyday words.
A
good overall tutorial on wifi and cracking can be found here: http://docs.lucidinteractive.ca/index.php/Cracking_WEP_and_WPA_Wireless_Networks
9. Monitor Network Traffic
The
Internet is a vast place with a bit of everything. Whether you’re curious about
what your roommate is downloading, your kid is getting into, or any leeches
living around you who’ve unscrupulously breached your wifi, knowing how to
analyze network traffic is an invaluable skill.
Here
is a list of dozens of network analyzers, as well as some general info to get
you started: http://www.slac.stanford.edu/xorg/nmtf/nmtf-tools.html
10. Recover Master Boot Record
A
virus or other problem can lead to an MBR error, which will make it impossible
to access install. Many users would simply become frustrated and reinstall, but
not you! Every geek should know how to recover the master book record.
Here
is an excellent guide to get started: http://www.ntfs.com/mbr-damaged.htm
11. Retrieve Data off Hard Drive
There
will come some point in your life when a hard drive craps out sans warning. It
could be due to a number of reasons–physical damage, file corruption, etc.
There are computer service centers that would be happy to extract the data for
a (hefty) fee; a true geek would be the one working at center, not taking his
or her drive there.
To
find out how to retrieve data off a damaged hard drive, read here: http://laptoplogic.com/resources/5-ways-to-retrieve-data-off-a-crashed-hard-drive
12. Load Rockbox onto an MP3 Player
The
firmware that comes on your average mp3 player is intended for those who are
scared of advanced features; often, the only audio settings available are a few
prearranged EQs. If you’re an audiophile–or simply frustrated with the lack of
control over your music settings–Rockbox is the firmware for you. Open source
and free, it can be installed on several different types of players and enables
full control over what you listen to.
13. Unbrick a Smartphone
No
geek can resist the allure of flashing the newest beta firmware onto their
shiny smartphone. The byproduct of that is sometimes a bricked phone, which
would leave many sobbing into their pillow at night. To avoid rendering your
$400 gadget into a door stopper, learn the fine art of unbricking and then
flash away.As the method used to fix a phone will vary, this is the best place
to start looking for answers: http://www.howardforums.com/
14.
Replace a Laptop Keyboard
Keyboards
get gummy after awhile. If you use yours a lot (aka: all day), then you
probably eat over it at some point. Crumbs get into the keys and things are
sticking, and before you know it, you need a new keyboard.
15. Rip Streaming Videos
Streaming
videos are officially in vogue. We’re not going to make any assumptions about
what type of videos you are streaming and may want to keep, but no matter what
it is, any geek could rip them while sipping a Red Bull and watching the latest
episode of BSG.
Here’s
a hint to get you started: http://applian.com/download-videos/
16. Strip Windows DRM
DRM
is incredibly annoying. With many online stores now offering DRM-free mp3 audio
files, it would seem it’s not as big of an issue as it used to be. That is not
not the case, however, with all videos bearing a DRM as well as music of a
higher-quality than MP3.
Stripping
Windows DRM is not legal. If you’re a geek, your probably don’t care: http://undrm.info/remove-DRM-protection/FairUse4WM-freeware-DRM-removal-Windows-software-Strip-copy-protection-from-WMV-ASF-WMA-Windows-Media-Player.htm
17. Homebrew Hack Game Systems
Gaming
consoles are notorious for having features you can’t use simply because the
manufacturer decided to lock them down. As a geek, you can’t just be satisfied
with the features they decided to give you. No, you have to crack that case
open and take a peek inside. Every geek should know how to homebrew hack their
system and unlock it’s full potential.
18. Find a Website IP Address Without
Web/Command Prompt Access
Some
school admins think they’re being sneaky when they lock down the command prompt
and block all major IP search websites and block all the websites you actually
want to visit. Of course, that is child’s play for any geek.
First,
to get a new command prompt, open Notepad and type: command.com. Then, save as
“cmd.bat”. You now have a command prompt.
Now,
open the command prompt and type “ping http://www.website.com/” to find the IP
address of that website.
Enter
the website into the browser and you will officially have impressed all your
friends.
19. Bypass School or Work Website
Blocks
What
is a horrific situation for an average computer user is a simple irritation for
an everyday geek. To bypass a website block/filter, simply enter that websites
IP address in instead of the actual site address.
20. Screw with Wifi Leeches
Nobody
likes a wifi leech. At best, they’re simply using up your valuable bandwidth.
At the worst–and far more likely, they’re stealing your identity and watching
your activities. After watching your network and identifying the leech, use
this trick to flip their browser upside down and let them know you don’t
appreciate the intrusion.
21. Hexadecimal and Binary Number
Systems
Everyone
knows the normal, everyday digit system used. It takes a special–possibly
psychotic person–to also know hexadecimal and binary number systems.
Here
is an excellent interactive tutorial on learning the two systems: http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objID=DIG1102
22. How to Hot Wire a Car
If
your family always turns to you any time their computer hiccups, their DVD
player needs fixed, or their home security system doesn’t activate, it’s only a
matter of time before someone asks you how to hot wire a car. Wouldn’t it be
great to be able to answer them?
To
learn this unique skill, read here: http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Hot_Wire_Your_Car
23. Increase Wifi Range
With
so many small portable gadgets gaining more and more sophisticated web
browsers, in addition to gaming systems like the PSP and DS, getting the most
use out of your wifi is practically a geek necessity.
Here
is a good guide on extending your wifi’s range: http://www.mavromatic.com/archives/000451
24. Carrying a Computer Cleaning
Arsenal on Your USB Drive
A
good geek prepares for their friends stupidity. No matter how many times you
tell them to stop downloading porn, they keep doing it until their machine is
so infected it can’t drag itself into a grave. An arsenal of portable malware
cleaners, a portable task manager, anti-virus, etc, will make those impromptu
purging sessions all the easier.
25. Running an Operating System from a
USB Thumb Drive
Most
people don’t even understand what the magical operating system is. As a geek,
you should transcend that basic knowledge and have a small operating system on
your thumb drive handy for those times you need computer access but don’t know
the password to a nearby computer.
26. Understand What “There’s no Place
Like 127.0.0.1″ Means
A
lot of geeks wear this shirt as a short hand code for their computer finesse–or
maybe just to screw with other people who stare but cannot figure out what it
means. No matter the reason, if you’d like an answer, check out the link below.
27. Read 1337 At Normal Speed
Sure,
everyone knows about it and it’s no longer cool, but if you’re going to
proclaim yourself as a geek, you should be able to read it full speed. Who
wants to choke in front of the wannabe that learned to read it full speed and
flaunts it in your face?
28. At Least One Fictional Language
And
not only should you know a fictional language, but you should use it to say
something about yourself. Do you choose Klingon or Quenya?
Here’s
a list of constructed languages: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_constructed_languages
##ADSENSE##
29. How to Survive in a Linux Argument
Linux
is gaining an all around higher standing in the geeksphere, and it’s bound to
enter a conversation at some point (which will invariably end up turning into
an argument). If you want to keep up, you’ll need to understand the basic
points of Linux, as well as the general info of all basic things.
Here’s
a good place to read and gain a foothold: http://www.linux.com/articles/feature/
30. Identify Major Constellations
For
those times you venture from the air-conditioned, computer filled basement of
your parents house (or something like that), look up at the stars and have
yourself a Galileo moment. The stars may just be dots to many people, but with
the handy website below, you’ll be stopping man-belts and lions in no time.
31. Use a Camera in Manual Mode
Sure,
you could just use auto mode like everyone else too afraid to learn what some
letters and numbers mean, but then you wouldn’t be much of a geek, would you?
The oft-ignored dial on a camera is the key that unleashes the best quality photos
possible, and every geek should be a whiz at using one.
32. Who Mulder and Scully Are
It
seems that in the plethora of geek websites, there always appears a joke about
Mulder and Scully, the two main characters from the X-Files. If you don’t know
who they are, you’ll be left in the dark, alone, contemplating what exactly it
was you were doing in the 90′s
that you wouldn’t understand the joke.
33. Javascript
HTML
is running the world (not really). Everyone knows some HTML and it makes them
feel empowered. As a geek, you want to transcend that basic knowledge others
share and know a little more. JavaScript is the answer–it is easy to learn if
you’re not actually interested in web programming, but simply curious, and it
looks scary to anyone who doesn’t know it.
34. How to Unlock an iPhone
Sure,
most geeks wouldn’t be caught dead with an iPhone, but what about your friends?
You’re the smart techie, they’ll expect your to know how to unlock it.
35. How to Install Mac OS X on a PC
Just
because you don’t want Mac on your PC doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know how to do
it. Knowledge is power, right? Go ahead, use this to stump your friends and
family.
36. Build a PC
If
you purchase a ready-made PC, you can be sure of one thing–you’re paying more
than you should. Assembling your own PC isn’t too hard, and is the first thing
you should be aiming to accomplish as a geek.
Here
is a massive article on assembling your own PC: http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/
37. Tethering a Smartphone
Nothing
like a little wifi on the move, eh? Tethering a smartphone means using the
Internet on your laptop/netbook via your cell phone. Of course, the method to
do this depends on your phone, but here’s an article to get your started:
38. Wiring a Home Theater System
Home
theater systems used to consist of a TV and a chair. Gone are those days of
simplicity, however, and setting up a modern system can be pure mind-boggling
horror. Where does the modulator go, why does the DVD player have no video and
the cable box no sound?
Here’s
a tutorial, including excellent diagrams, to show you how: http://www.prillaman.net/ht_info_8-wiring.html
39. Replacing a Laptop LCD
Laptop
LCDs are vulnerable to many different mishaps: accidental pressure spots,
shadows, airsoft pellets…. No matter, there will come a point when you need to
swap your LCD for a new one. Now, as a geek, you probably don’t have an
extended warranty. If that’s the case, here are some excellent pages and
pictures on replacing the display:
40. Make a Laptop Cooling Pad
Can
you believe these cost $50?! A geek will need one, because data crunching/DVD
ripping/videos playing/rendering at the same times tends to cause excess heat.
Instead of shelling out your hard earned dollars, make your own like so: http://www.instructables.com/id/Lazy-mans-laptop-cooler/
41. Unleash a Laser Pointer’s full
potential
A
normal person uses a laser pointer to drive their dog crazy. A geek uses it to
melt butter for their grilled cheese sandwich. To unless a laser pointer’s full
strength, crack open the case, fry the resistor with a hot soldering iron, then
snap it back together and keep it away from flesh/eyes/airplanes. The pointer
will burn out after a few hours, but what a fun few hours they will be.
Note:
this is dangerous. Don’t do anything stupid.
42. Keyboard Shortcuts
This
will depend on your operating system and the apps you use, so there’s no
tutorial available. However, that is irrelevant–you’re a geek, you can find
them yourself. Shortcuts are the difference between a slow computer user and a
geek. The geek will always will out in a speed contest, because they do
practically everything from their keyboard.
43. Soldering Glasses Together
Nerds
use tape on broken glasses; geeks use solder. ‘Nuff said.
44. How to Execute a Shell Script
If
you’re a true geek, you’ll need to do this at some point. Below are
instructions on how to do so. Remember: always be cautious when running a
script, you don’t want your computer to turn into a door stop, now do ya?
45. How to Hack a Pop Machine
Okay,
so stealing isn’t cool. Still, hacking is simply a misunderstood art, right? So
hacking a pop machine isn’t really stealing, because it’s not about the pop, it
about the pleasure of getting your way. Or something like that. (Newsflash, it
is illegal, don’t do it.) If you want to try your fingers at getting a free
Coke, check out this link:
46. Turn a Laptop into a Digital
Picture Frame
So
you want to show off pictures of your dog and that girl you once met, but you
want to do it in an uber geeky way. Any schmuck can go to Walmart and buy a
digital picture frame for a grossly inflated price. But you…oh, you’re too
smart for that. No, instead you’ll find an old laptop on eBay for $5 and turn
it into a true work of art.
47. How to Mod a Flash Drive Case
All
the geeks are doing it…. Whatever. The case your flash drive came in is
probably weak and most certainly plain. Why not jazz it up with your own unique
style?
Here’s
one such case mod, and dozens of related projects: http://www.instructables.com/id/Metal-USB—Flash-drive-case-mod/
48. Do Cool Things to Altoids Tins
People
are obsessed with these things. Altoids tins are durable, small, and just
begging to be filled with LEDs, mp3 players, audio amps, and maybe some snuff.
A good geek will find millions of uses for these little metal wonders. If you
need a mental boost, however, here’s some interesting links:
49. Convert Cassette Tapes to Digital
Audio Files
If
your geekhood started in the 90′s,
then you probably have a least a few (dozen) cassette tapes still sitting
around. Why not breathe digital life into them before they fall ill to mortal
fate?
50. Lock Your Computer with a USB Drive
You
don’t want anyone getting into your files while you’re gone. A normal password
would be enough to keep most people out, but what if you got super-secret X
files on your computer? You can lock your machine down with a USB drive via
these instructions:
51. Run Your Own Ethernet Line
Wifi
has taken the place of a wired connection in many homes, and with good
reasons–you can go anywhere, no cables necessary. What about
those…sensitive…activities that you’d rather the neighborhood script kiddie
didn’t see on your wifi? An Ethernet cable is your solution.
To
wire your own Ethernet, hit up this link: http://www.ertyu.org/steven_nikkel/ethernetcables.html
52. Set Up a Streaming Media Server
With
digital files becoming the ultimate medium, many people have hundreds of
gigabytes worth of music, videos, and pictures. You could keep them on a
portable hard drive, but then you’re have to take it everywhere, and only one
person could use it at a time. The solution is a streaming media server,
something no geek can live without.
53. Setting up a VPN
If
you’re like most geeks, you can’t live without your computers. They store your
life in some poetic fashion, holding files you feel a personal connection
with…. Anyway, if you are at work and suddenly realize you left an important
picture at home (or you need blackmail material pronto), having a VPN ready to
go will save you big time.
54. Turn Webcams into Security Cameras
Is
someone stealing your Netflix DVDs? Do you suspect it is a fat hairy man in his
boxers taking them each morning? If so, you can get your proof using a couple
webcams and a bit of software.
55. Control Your House Lights with a
Computer
Controlling
the lights in your house via computer is a great way to freak out the
neighborhood kids ding-dong-ditching (assuming you wire up a Halloween scream
motion sensor, also). If you reasons are less nefarious, you simply use it to
turn on and off lights without having to life ye butt from thy seat, which is a
good reason in itself.
56. Play Retro Games without Retro
Consoles
This
applies to the geeks who enjoy gaming. Setting up an emulation PC on your TV is
a great way to relive those games of old.
57. Put LEDs Inside a Lightbulb
The
days of hot incandescent and mercury-laden fluorescent are gone, and in are the
days of long lasting, low heat, low consumption LEDs. As any good geek, you
want to be able to say “I was doing X long before it became mainstream.” Here’s
your chance–the following link will show you how to put an LED inside a
lightbulb, something sure to stump your friends the same way Grandpa’s
ship-in-a-wine-bottle used to stump you.
58. Create Music with Keyboard
How
awesome is KeyBored? This little app gives all of your QWERTY keys a piano
note. When you type, it sounds like an infant monkey punching a keyboard. If
you’ve got some musical chops, it won’t take you long to figure out the Star
Wars theme or find a hidden musical message in Counter Strike control buttons.
http://agdoa.net/ [edit:link updated]
59. Make Your Office Ergonomic
Face
it–you spend a lot of time at your desk. You might even have a few extra pounds
and pallid skin to show for it. While those things are temporary, far to common
and more serious is the carpal tunnel, eye strain, and back problems you’ll
develop from having a poor workspace.
Hit
up this link to create a body-friendly workspace that will keep you limber and
flexible: http://www.ergotron.com/tabid/305/language/en-US/default.aspx
60. Adding a Third Monitor
Studies show that dual monitor increase
work productivity by 30%. As a geek, you’ll need a third monitor to equal the
dual setup of a layman (if that makes sense). While any hack with a VGA port
can add a second monitor, it takes a true geek to add a third (or more). This
will vary based on graphics/OS, so hit up Google for a tutorial or two.
61. How to Convert a DVD to x264 (or
XviD or DivX)
It
might seem like child’s play to you, but many individuals do not understand the
fine art of converting a DVD into a digital file, let alone the careful skills
it takes to achieve a happy balance between size and quality.
Here
is an excellent tutorial demonstrating how to rip a DVD with the multi-platform
free software Handbrake: http://howto.diveintomark.org/ipod-dvd-ripping-guide/
62. Flash System BIOS
Ya gotta do it some
time, so stop putting it off and man up. Flashing the BIOS on your laptop might
seem scary (as it should–fear keeps you on your toes and prevents mistakes),
but it’s not (actually, it is, but if you even understand why you need to do
this, you’ve gotta have at least a few chops by now). Warning–you can seriously
bork your computer doing this!
63. How to Irrecoverably Protect Data
TrueCrypt,
my friends. Learn to use TrueCrypt. If you have ask why, you don’t need it.
64. The Fastest way to Kill a Computer
It’s
said that you have to get into a killers mind to understand their weaknesses,
right? Same goes for the unfortunate boobs who always kill their laptops.
Here’s a list of all the different ways you can accidentally kill a
computer–arm your family and friends, and save yourself grief (because it’s
surely you they will call when something goes horribly, horribly wrong).
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