Possible explanation for the fundamental differences between geeks and non-geeks

geeslaka · September 8, 2003, 01:21

CLIs encourage users to keep track of things in their heads, whereas GUIs encourage users to keep track of things on the screen. Could this be what seperates Linux users from windows users?

For Linux users: Do you prefer to keep track of things in your head?

For windows users: Do you prefer to keep track of things on the screen?

JohnT · September 8, 2003, 01:22

Not even sure what you're talking about. Care to expand, please?

JohnT · September 8, 2003, 01:23

Given that I still have a heavily used DOS prompt icon on my desktop, where would I fit in your scheme?

Asher · September 8, 2003, 01:23

The thing is how you think about your computer.

Do you think of it like a black box that responds to commands or do you think about it visually?

True powerusers use both a lot, and when required. For me, Windows XP with Cygwin is perfect.

No Linux desktop out there is anywhere close to the GUI of Windows XP, and Windows XP with Cygwin has the best of both worlds. Period.

Urban Ranger · September 8, 2003, 02:07

GUI is optional. You can do everything you can in a GUI with a CLI, but how could you do, say, regex, with cute little icons?

The advantage of pictures over words and numbers is the presentation of certain data. More specifically, trends and changes.

Asher · September 8, 2003, 02:09

Quote:

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
GUI is optional. You can do everything you can in a GUI with a CLI, but how could you do, say, regex, with cute little icons?

Yes, in the same way you could draw pictures via the CLI.

Don't be a moron.

And why don't you answer my question of what your undergrad school was?

And further, did you take an interface design course at said school? Because clearly it's utter shite.

Ecthy · September 8, 2003, 04:28

what the fvck is CLI/GUI?

and what does it have to do with geeks and non geeks?

Drake Tungsten · September 8, 2003, 04:29

Non-geeks get laid. Geeks don't. End of discussion.

Ecthy · September 8, 2003, 04:32

geeslaka · September 8, 2003, 04:40

CLI = Command Line Interface
GUI = Graphical User Interface

Ecthy · September 8, 2003, 04:58

and that has how much to do with geekdom?

Combat Ingrid · September 8, 2003, 05:49

Only geeks understand this thread

I don't, so I guess I'm no geek

Ecthy · September 8, 2003, 05:50

if you want to go sure just check if you got laid before you got to uni.

Harovan · September 8, 2003, 05:55

Geeks are bigots who defend their own position by all means. Geekdom is a negative trait. A computer is a useful tool to solve problems (even though the problem may just be, how to kill one's spare time

). It ain't a god or a fetish or something. Neither are operating systems.

As for the CLI/GUI argument, it says nothing about whether one is a geek or not. I use both of them, where it's appropriate. I don't need no stynkin' GUI on the server. A server is... well... there to serve. It should be running just by switching it on, and most of the time even without a monitor, or with the monitor turned off. The best servers are those, who need a minimum of maintainance time. What do I need a slow, resource hogging GUI for that? Even under Windows it's much faster to start or stop a service using the net start and net stop feature on the command line than to click through the menus (even though under Windows the resource hog is omnipresent, anyway).

A desktop is there to do the daily work. It has to provide me with the opportunity to do my work as good as possible as quick as possible and as secure as possible. A good, ergonomic GUI along with reliable software is just a must. I use Windows XP on the desktop and am content with it. I can use the software of my choice on it. For instance, I write an average of one (printed out) letter a month. WTH do I need MS Office for that? Way too pricy for that little amout of work. OpenOffice does it too, and it's free. For coding, I use MS Visual Studio. It's one of the best IDEs one can get. It has excellent debugging features. I've been searching a long time, but I couldn't find anything halfway adequate under *nix. I use it to write software for both Windows and *nix, btw, it takes so little time to add a makefile later and recompile it. And most of the core stuff I write portable anyway.

The question CLI vs GUI should be answered by "What ever fits you better to do your work". This decision everyone should make himself. It ain't helpful at all to try to force the own opinion to anyone else.

Ari Rahikkala · September 8, 2003, 06:06

If command line interfaces encourage people to keep track of things in their head, ls has no reason to exist

Spiffor · September 8, 2003, 06:58

An efficient CLI can fasten operations that would otherwise require many clicks, like if I want to go from some directory in d:\ to an obscure, 9th level subdirectory of c:\. Besides, a CLI can have quite a few key-shortcuts, which save time once they're learned.

GUIs have many interests. They are simple, they allow to see most things at one glance (especially convenient when tweaking the options of a software), they can be quick when they're well done. And most importantly: it doesn't require any computer knowledge to use a well done GUI: double click and you win.

Spiffor · September 8, 2003, 07:05

IMHO, the main difference between geeks and non-geeks is that geeks think that tweaking, fixing, and understanding computers has a meaning by itself, which justifies they devote their life to it.
For the non-geek, a computer is a tool, which has better to work. For the geek, a computer is a center of attention, that must reflect the geek exactly.

I think geeks are simply obsessed with computers (I mean, the computers themselves, not some kind of actually useful or entertaining application). Much like some people are obsessed with their cars, with their house's decoration, with their pets etc.

Ecthy · September 8, 2003, 07:10

being a geek doesn't mean you use Linux rather than Windows. being a geek means you discuss these things.

and can't get laid. u r all geeks.

Q Classic · September 8, 2003, 07:11

geeks love computers the way gearheads love their cars.

end of story.

besides, some girls like the geeks. they're rare and far and few in between, but if it weren't for them, geeks wouldn't exist as a species anymore.