For those with accounts or otherwise interested, my home network is back up, with a replaced wireless bridge. I also cut myself some longer ethernet cables so I won't trip on them so often. Yay.
A few things that I consider important things geeks should have. If I've forgotten anything, leave a comment.
Books:
- The Dragon Book - It's useful to have around. Writing small languages is a task that shows up every once in awhile in a geek career, although remembering the details is something that people occasionally fail at.
- Knuth - Good theoretical reading for core computer science. Often-referenced by other works.
- Computer Organization and Design - A good, moderately comprehensive textbook for computer archiecture.
- Personal Computer from the Inside Out - x86-specific elaboration on the above.
Tools:
- RJ45 crimptool, network tester - Making network cables is both a rite of passage and a useful skill. Premade cables are rip-offs and never come in the right lengths.
- Spare ethernet cables, perhaps a small ethernet hub - Sometimes surprisingly useful.
- Soldering Iron - Surprisingly useful in many situations. Not all of then involve solder.
- Multitool - Leatherman is a decent brand, although there are others
- A good tool set - Kind of obvious. Better than a leatherman, although less portable. Geeks often have several specialised tool sets (incredibly small-headed screwdrivers are sometimes quite useful), some of which almost never travel
- USB memory stick - The modern day equivalent of the floppy. A good way to sneak data around, share stuff with friends, etc etc
- Portable HD - Like a larger memory stick. Useful for backup or sharing of bigger things (e.g. movies)
- Optical Mouse - It's helpful to carry one of these almost everywhere - sucky mice are everywhere and dealing with them is often painful
- String, Duct Tape, a strong glue - Also useful in some random circumstances.
