Pragmatic Geek

An early comment in this blog by my dad took issue with my subtitle, “Applying and using technology when you lack the desire or resources to be an Alpha Geek.”  Specifically, I can’t really blame a lack of resources on my non-alpha geek status.  Yes, I suppose if I wanted, I could certainly get to the top of the geek toy ladder.

(Perhaps I was thinking of the tautology of “time is money,” because with two young boys around, I don’t value spending the hours it takes to fiddle with the new tech.)

Anyway, the first post covers my thoughts on being a Pragmatic Geek.  To me, being Alpha is about having things - the latest gadget, software, or programming framework.  And from there, it is assembling those things into a broader digital life.  Using that definition, I don’t qualify.  I had my last cell phone for almost 3.5 years, before jumping on the iPhone bandwagon (1.5 years after it launched).

However, before I get nipped for false modesty, I did a little research on the term “alpha geek,” and maybe I’ll change my subtitle even more.  I do enjoy keeping an awareness of the trends, even if I don’t jump on them with time or money.  So I’ll leave it up to the reader to form their opinion of what tier of geek I am.  I’m just happy being a Pragmatic Geek.

I’ve named this blog “Pragmatic Geek.”  At my core, I’m a pragmatist, and these are thoughts about how that overlaps with being a geek.  (I’m also a realistic enough to realize that my thoughts aren’t that unique, and this could likely be “another blog.”)

Pragmatic: concerned with making decisions and actions that are useful in practice, not just theory

Geek: an expert in a technical field, particularly to do with computers.

As a pragmatic geek, I

• don’t dig into every latest buzzword.  The “new” is often just a rebranded “old.”  Rich Internet Apps are just yesterday’s green screens.
• don’t covet the latest gadgets.  There’s a tradeoff between blowing your money on the latest, when the last generation stuff ends up collecting dust after it has lots its “shininess.”
• wait for convergence.  I don’t want to carry one of every device with me, but I’ll be ecstatic when I can get a two-fer. (or three-fer)
• demand good design.  Technology should be enjoyable to use on many fronts, not just because it does the job faster than the competition.
• require a good return on “investment.”  Investment is in quotes, since it’s not just about cash, it’s about the effort spent to get the return.  

I welcome you to link to the RSS, and see the updates as they happen.  

-benJ