What makes *you* a power user?

G'day 9ners

Ya know i've never liked the term "power user". I've seen it used around newsgroups and this forum, yet the term has always amused and baffled me.
 
Tell me, what is it that makes you a "power user", where is the cross over line? And what power are you unleashing by giving yourself this title?

thanks
bundyum

When I unleash my hidden fragging power during Unreal Tournament, Counter-Strike, and Battlefield 2, I cross the line from mild-mannered tech support to GAMING NINJA!

Having the focus of a Zen monk as I jump the fence, grab the rocket launcher, and lay waste to my enemies in an explosion of gunfire is what makes me a power user.

Sincerely,
geekling.

the point of this thread was to see who has the largest ego.

In my opinion, the difference between a user and a power user is a user knows how to use the system, a power user knows how it works.

User - Knows how to use the system to complete their tasks
Power User - Knows how to exploit the system to better complete  their tasks
Developer - Knows how to extend the system to complete tasks

I class myself as all three depending on what I'm doing at the time.

Manip wrote:

User - Knows how to use the system to complete their tasks
Power User - Knows how to exploit the system to better complete  their tasks
Developer - Knows how to extend the system to complete tasks

I class myself as all three depending on what I'm doing at the time.

TimP wrote:

... is a user knows how to use the system,...

Power Users Can:

• Create local user accounts
• Modify user accounts which they have created
• Change user permissions on users, power users, and guests
• Install and run applications that do not affect the operating system
• Customize settings and resources on the Control Panel, such as Printers, Date/Time, and Power Options
• Do anything a User can

• Access other users' data without permission
• Delete or modify user accounts they did not create

I am not a Power User and I have used the 'Run As' command for sometime, I would suggest that you all do likewise. Being a Power User or an Administrator is a security school boy error waiting to happen.

Dave 'Sabot' Oliver (aka Kill-joy)

P.S. Geekling meet you on the Battlefield sucker, I want my major knife kills badge in BF2!

The power users group is gone in Vista anyway.

Well, I'd feel bad if I didn't put my $0.02 in...

The Difference:

A user uses a system as a tool to do what they need done, within the limitations of their inferior capabilities.  Some users see a computer as a neccessary evil. Generally users prefer the mouse to the keyboard, GUI to command line, and wizards to configuration. A typical user will use a Compaq Pentium the same way as they would an Alienware multicore A64 system; that is, reading mail, IM, etc.

A Power User uses a system as a tool, but as a toy at the same time in much the way a mechanic uses a car.  They will take advantage of every facet at their disposal; including hotkeys, "advanced" tabs, and more advanced configuration options.  Some of the higher-level (but nefarious) power users are likely to engage in activities such as p2p sharing, wardriving, etc.

Beyond the Power User is the Guru.  The Guru will, more often than not, modify the hardware in such a way it's obvious it wasn't purchased that way. Parts may be hanging out of the case. Cables and cords may leave the case from the side, front, top, or bottom. Some of their computers may not even have cases. A Guru will create complex scripts and software that allows the computer to accomplish tasks for him, generally shunning the OS's built-in wizards that allow him to do so in favor of creating his own back-end service or background app. A guru likely keeps certain things running or at least hotkeyed for frequent use: Command line, 3rd party task manager (i.e., Sysinternals), TCP connection map, etc. Gurus are likely to have multiple machines running simultaneously (necessary to "keep up" with said Guru), and will most likely use multitasking enhancements such as KVM switches, multiple monitors, or software like Synergy or Trillian. You will frequently see them modify their entire workspace to favor their computers, often setting up "pivots" so all they have to do is swivel or glance aside.

Developers, gamers, and (sadly) even sysadmins can fall into any of these three categories.

____________
(since you asked) What makes *me* a power user / Guru:

>> Hardware Modifications:
1. Main system multimonitor config (see my site's gallery)
2. Linux box does not have a case; grounded manually
3. Once ran two identical systems within a single case - together
4. Was once a board member for local APCUG computer group
5. Was permanently banned (7 times) from LAN in High School for making the net admin "nervous"
6. Heavily favor keyboard vs mouse, except when navigating a website (i.e., selecting a frame/box/link deep inside an HTM file)
7. Have programmed in C++, C#, Turbo Pascal, Java, HTML, and about 30 kinds of BASIC
8. Created first GWBASIC program at age of 5
9. Understands the difference between Programming languages (C#) and Formatting languages (HTML, WordPerfect, etc)
10. For website development, have never used a program other than NotePad (www.notepad.org ). Will continue this trend.
11. Prefers "quick and verbose" to "user friendly"

I'm a power user because I can do things on my computer 20X faster than anybody else can because I know *exactly what I'm doing*.


</hugeEgoSurge>

blowdart wrote:

Cause I'm running XP Pro, not Home.

Obviously

W3bbo wrote:

blowdart wrote: Cause I'm running XP Pro, not Home. Obviously

I use Solaris (well, transitioning over), so what does that make me?