Are you a Tech Zealot?

[SysOpt]

I could use your help. For SysOpt support/advertising reasons, it would be great if you could post here telling me why you think you're a tech zealot (using specific examples from your own life, interests, etc). Here's the definition.

"Tech Zealots ... folks who are very interested in new technology and are opinion leaders driving the adoption of new technology. These audiences have the highest degree of interest in new, cutting edge technology and possess a tremendous amount of Internet experience. Tech Zealots enjoy technology for its own sake, while the Early Adopters like tech for what it allows them to do... they also like to be the "first on their block" to try out new technologies and products. These folks both position themselves as a source of advice for their less tech-savvy friends and as such are heavy influencers of purchases."

Thanks!

Scott

[Sturek]

Well I am one of the very few (like there's only 1 other that I know of) people in my school that is tech savvy. I fix my friends and family's computers, and put together my own computer. When my friends and family go to buy a computer related item they usually consult me as to what model they should get. I love surfing the net to find out about all sorts of new computer stuff. I love the chance to try all the new stuff but due to my budget and better judgement I will usually wait for a patch before buying a piece of software and will do lots of net research on hardware before I make a purchase.

[earnie86]

[This message has been edited by earnie86 (edited 09-12-2001).]

[justin_otis]

I don't consider myself to be a "tech zealot" by that name. On the other hand, I am the only person in my dorm that knows jack about computers. I have to fix them for people all of the time. Not a bad title to have though.

[Comtech]

I'm a tech zealot.
Built my first computer back when a SS/SD 12" floppy was state of the art, and a Z80 (Zilog's version of the Intel 8080) was HOT!
The Commodore "PET" was the first commercial kid on the block. I still own an Osborne 1, which was really ahead of it's day, dual 5.25" SS/DD drives, and a built in 5.25" monitor, with CP/M as the OS.
I overclocked it within the first 3 months.
Had internet access back when dial-up to Compuserve cost a fortune, both in access fees and long distance, and was done through a 300 baud accoustic coupler modem (the kind where you dialed the phone, then when you heard the beep, quickly slammed the reciever into the foam cups on the modem), and I'm still online. I remember when I "upgraded" to a 486SX with a 14.4 modem, and thought it was BLAZING speed. (Well, it was, comparitively speaking). I overclocked it (from 25mhz to 33mhz) as well. Ran the gamut of Celerons and PIII's (all overclocked), and still run a couple of 600's at 900. Current Athlon 1.4 (266fsb) @ 1650 (MAN this thing runs HOT!) on the MSI K7T Raid board.

Do I qualify?

[RustyGT]

Comtech, very probably...

Scott, Interesting point you raise.

When reading your definition of zealot, I had in mind, A bloke who has joined our company recently. Very experienced,very opinionated, good at a command prompt, in OS of any flavour.
Linux, Unix, Dos etc. Writes sub routines in his sleep....

He is good. Just ask him.
Then I figured.
This Guy is Not a Zealot.

This Guy is a Tech Biggot!

HE attacks MS, and our major Telco 'Telstra', repeatedly. Badgers customers, on their choices of Apps.

Hectors IT support people. To the point where he has been warned off the site, of one of our bigger jobs and some of our smaller regular customers won't have him back.

I'm heading off the topic, perhaps, with this bloke.
He came to us with "guru" credentials.

Knowing everything, doesn't mean your right.
Shame really.
That experience like that should be so judgemental.

If Tech Zealot is a new category.
Then Tech Biggot is a well worn path.

Interesting that while the general market place will take new technology.
Military and Aviation will drag the chain, "Until it is proven"
I'm led to beleive that NASA will not use anything "Brand New" in their satellites.
ChrsR. http://www.freakygamers.com/smilies/s/cwm/3dlil/uppydown.gif

[SysOpt]

^BUMP^

Thanks for the replies. Any others?

[UWConvoy]

Not sure if I have the budget to be called a Zealot, but I follow the trends, keeping up with the latest hardware advances and wanting desperately to buy them, but usually not being able to until several months after release. I do build my own systems and try out my share of software. My family depends on me for computer support; I build their systems (mostly from leftovers from my upgrades :p). When I got a temp job this summer, I was constantly being asked to fix stuff, etc. As I said, I don't consider myself a zealot, per se, as my budget doesn't allow me to stay at the forefront of consumer technology.

Oh, and all this is merely computer-related. If I also had to keep up with home entertainment needs, I'd be hopelessly lost. My computer provides most of my entertainment. At home we have a 25" TV, a couple of 20-year-old speakers that we sometimes use, and a $100 DVD player from Wal-Mart, which does well enough for the equipment that we have, I suppose. Eh, oh well :p

[jkittlesen]

Go to the mall and find a girl!
Just kiddin I think.

[surrealchereal]

hmmm doesn't watch tv, it doesn't have a keyboard.
right now strapped into wrist braces because of a keyboard.
won't date non computer types.
loves computers/technology.
uhh maybe?