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Do Computer Geeks and Gearheads Overlap?

Posted by Cliff on from the does-a-car-have-an-accelerator dept.

Johnath asks: "One of the great things about finally owning a place with a garage is that it's given me a chance to start taking apart my car and putting it back together. I'm certain I'm not the only one here who does so. The analogies between custom cars and custom computers are as obvious as they are numerous: the quest for higher performance, the analysis of detailed benchmarking and comparison studies, the fanatical brand loyalty -- a nitrous tank on an inline-4 is materially identical in my mind to a 4" heatsink on an overclocked duron. How much overlap is there between these groups, how many people here are car geeks? My preference is to optimize for efficiency and mileage over power gains, but I'm interested in car-hackers of all persuasions. Where do you go for geek-level treatments of oil brands, exhaust options, and dyno results? Is there a gearhead Slashdot hiding out there, or only the brand-specific boards like myfordfocus.com?"

4 of 105 comments (clear)

  1. I wish I could afford a car by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    but I dedicated my life to free software.

  2. hehe by revmoo · · Score: 2, Funny

    overclocked duron.

    No, THAT would be the computer equivalent of a 4-cylinder honda civic with racing stripes.

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    I would expect such blatant racism on Fark, but on Slashdot? Mods please ban this asshole.
  3. Do Computer Geeks and Gearheads Overlap? by utahjazz · · Score: 2, Funny

    Well if they're both consenting adults then I guess they can do whatever they want in the privacy of their own homes.

  4. Overlap by ninewands · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well, yeah, I think so.

    I started out as a gearhead before I got into computers. It was one of those "gateway drug" experiences ... first it was oil changes ... then tuneups ... (this was in the sixties when tuneups were a routine part of owning a car). Then it got bad ... in the 70's I got hooked on rebuilding carburetors (remember them?).

    Replace a throwout bearing? No problem. U-joints? Child's play. Replace the points in a Lucas distributor with electronic switching? A godsend for an MG owner, but merely a trivial task.

    My habit grew worse ... I've done four engine rebuilds from the pistons out. One even involved synching side-draft SU carbs on an old Triumph Spitfire after I had a machine shop custom build parts I couldn't get on the market (oh, the SHAME of it). Hand-grinding valve seats ... clearancing rod and main bearings ... I was doing it ALL just to feed the need.

    The last one convinced me that I HAD to give it up. It was a fuel-injected computer-controlled Nissan ... and all I got out of it was a sore back and temporary relief of the parts-changing monkey on my back. All the thrill, the art ... the magic ... was gone. All I was doing was feeding the habit. Modern engines had made it too simple. The rush of having an engine start on the FIRST try was gone ... (SIGH).

    I've worked HARD over the last 5 years to break the habit. Some days are better than others. I'll notice a little stutter in the acceleration when I punch the throttle ... think to myself "mixture's not right" ... then I have to use my "thought stopping" techniques to keep me straight. It's HARD trying to keep off the drug "ICanFixIt," but I work at it one day at a time.

    Now you know my story. I'm a humbled and chastened grease addict. I've broken the habit and my life is better now.

    I'd write more, but that's all there is to tell. I'm off to recompile my kernel so that it will support the latest alpha-level I/O modules ...

    (Laugh, it's a JOKE, son) ;-)

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    utter rubbish