I’ve poked at computers for decades… yes, I’m dating and aging myself.

And programming always appealed to me. I guess it’s been my craft, my calling. I’ve had opportunities to move into management, but I refuse because I know what I’m good at and what I love (and that I don’t like being a paper-pusher). For example, right now I’m working on one of the more challenging programming tasks I’ve dealt with in a very long time. It’s very complex, very complicated, very frustrating. But because it’s such a huge challenge (and will be a HUGE win when I pull it off), I’m happy to let it engulf me. Part of my poor sleep this past week has been due to Daylight Saving Time throwing me off, but also because the moment I wake up my brain churns on this problem because well… it’s just what I find exciting. Geek that I am.

Over my years, over my jobs, my bosses, my companies, the projects and groups… I’ve learned what I want and don’t want. Geeks do tick differently, and we aren’t satisfied by the same things a lot of other officer workers are. It’s welcome when the company and bosses get it, and frustrating when those that “run you” don’t get it. I don’t expect people to bend to my way of being, but I can say if you can understand folks better, you tend to get further.

This article by Michael O’Church about “What Programmers Want” is insightful and pretty spot-on about us.

If you have to manage geeks or interact with them, take the time to read it and gain some insight into us.

Or if you just want to understand us geeks a little better, it’s worth your time too.