What did those geeky-type IT support people do before computers?

[asheep_uk]

You know your IT department, or at least at some stage in your life you will have had one. Normally full of IT support people, who are a little geeky, quite quiet, talk in far too much detail, have in-jokes and wear suits that are always too big for them.

Well, what did they do before computers where invented? Or is this just a new breed of person that's developed with technology?

[silverx2]

chess, and focused on learning as much as possible.

they wernt called nerds so much as poindexters

[lefteyewilly]

they were bad industrial engineers.

[gerbick]

the oldest dude I had dealt with in IT had done office management of documents, transitioned over to punch cards (Gerber code for old machines) then transitioned to Novell then Windows.

Geekiest dude I ever knew, period. And amongst his other geeky friends, you'd find that they were the ones that brought order to their respective offices.

Some others were part of the IBM Selectric typewriter type of support - my own uncle started out in that area at IBM way back in '63 and he retired doing AS/400 and other mid-size to mainframe computer support.

Nerds still exist - sorta like the Neanderthal alongside the more (socially evolved at least) evolved geeks.

[FlashLackey]

I think it's a combination. They are partly an invented group. But, the born geeks were probably regular engineers.

[koolbabs2000]

Well, what did they do before computers where invented?
- Doing all sorts of crazy experiments !!!

[hermie]

Good question... kinda like one I've wondered about before.

What about the occupations that don't exist (or barely exist) any more? Like, a blacksmith? What do those sorts of people do now?

[FlashLackey]

Nothing. We locked them up years ago.

[silverx2]

Good question... kinda like one I've wondered about before.

What about the occupations that don't exist (or barely exist) any more? Like, a blacksmith? What do those sorts of people do now?

blacksmiths are now people that make horse shoes, do any sort of welding/metal fabrication.

[lesli_felix]

blacksmiths are now people that make horse shoes, do any sort of welding/metal fabrication.

my dad started out in that industry, then went on to CNC machining and then to programming.

See - Blacksmith = Geek. Case closed.

[FlashLackey]

There could be something to that considering the popularity of blacksmithing on world of warcraft.

[koolbabs2000]

Blacksmith - Goldsmith = BlackGold = Manure

[silverx2]

i thought blackgold was oil?

[gotoAndCrash]

Heh, wow, I'm so surprised, yet happy, that no one posted this yet! :

IT before computers...waaaaaay before!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAWR6hzZek

[silverx2]

wow that footer is wicked sweet gotoandcrash.

[gotoAndCrash]

wow that footer is wicked sweet gotoandcrash.

Heh, thanks, story of my life!

(I secretly like when Flash says "<cough> <gasp>, what are you doing to me?!?"...crash!)

[argonauta]

yea, but it won't compile, you're missing a }

[silverx2]

also the fact that i was being sarcastic

[argonauta]

also, this is probably better:

function redundant() {
delete this.onEnterFrame;
onEnterFrame = arguments.callee
}

but this won't crash flash.

[gotoAndCrash]

also the fact that i was being sarcastic

Well, thanks, that's so nice of you. Gotta love the comradery of strangers...

It's so great that people take the time to go out of their way just to be pr*cks. Thank you for taking the time, pr*ck!