What is one step up from a newb?

**TheFourthBeast** · 07-30-2005

What is the primary difference between a newb and a non-newb? And at what point in one's life does one realize non-newbiness?

**George Harrison** · 07-30-2005

My turning point (Linux wise) was probably when I installed Gentoo without a hitch and I didn't use the genkernel. I know it sounds stupid but I was really walking on air and I felt powerful. I still feel as though I'm a bit of a newb in that I'm constantly learning new stuff all the time. Yet.. in that sense we are all newbs (except for techieMoe)

**NeoSNightmarE** · 07-31-2005

The difference between a newb and non-newb the way I see it is the ability to do things while having a general understanding of how it works, how it came about, and what it can do for you. In this sense...everyone is a newb in something...even if they don't know it yet. The turning point for me personally with Linux was when I was able to look for any information that I need and understand it to use any program that I have encountered so far.The biggest hurdle with that was when I was getting into nmap and shorewall and those things...they were something and I still don't fully understand it but I successfully set it up.

**budman7** · 07-31-2005

Newb is definitely a relative term.
I consider myself a newb still. There is a lot that I don't know.
George Harrison does have the right idea though, when I finally got my Gentoo working(with a lot of help)I felt like the Resident Guru that I am labeled as.
I have since been able to install Gentoo on another computer without help.

But just when I think I am really good with Linux, something happens like trying to install Sourcemage.
Current problems documented here
If you do a search on that site for my handle you can see what a newb I really am.

And forget about BSD, it is out of my league.

oz · 07-31-2005

The key to whether or not you are a newbie is found within the first three letters of the word itself. When you are "new" to Linux, and it all really feels new to you, then you are obviously a newbie. If after a few weeks, months, or even years of using Linux it all still seems new to you, then you are still a newbie.

There is no established time period for being a newbie, or for growing out of it. My mother-in-law has been a Windows newbie for more than 10 years now, and it's become apparent that she will always be one.

**afroguy013** · 07-31-2005

Originally Posted by Ozar

My mother-in-law has been a Windows newbie for more than 10 years now, and it's become apparent that she will always be one.

hehe- now try transplanting her into linux. I just did that to my mom and while I'm happy that she is using linux, part of me is saying "what the hell were you on???" because she's asking so many questions. But at least she's learning.

I think that "Newb-ism" ends when you start to understand what you're doing, or what people are suggesting you do, (there's no shame in asking for help) instead of just doing it. Which is why sometimes i consider myself a newbie, and sometimes I don't.

I'm just glad that there's a linux user group at the college I'm heading off to!!

**zacam87** · 07-31-2005

Originally Posted by afroguy013

hehe- now try transplanting her into linux. I just did that to my mom

i cant convince my dad... tried many a time.. even showed him how it has cool camera editing software and told him theres virtually no viruses.... he still wont even think about it

**winter** · 07-31-2005

A quote comes to my mind

A foolish man is a man who thinks he is wise. A wise man is a man who admits there foolish

ok so the saying may not go like that but theres a wee bit of alcohol affecting me at the moment. Anyway theres long time linux users who even now are still learning.

**TheFourthBeast** · 07-31-2005

I think we should standardize newbness. Why don't we make a list of things a person has to be able to do in order to not be a newb anymore? Like a Linux initiation of sorts. Actually, there may be one already I haven't searched yet. I'll look....hmmm, couldn't find anything (quickly anyway).

**techieMoe** · 07-31-2005

Honestly, I don't think it matters. Someone can be new at anything. A veteran Linux user can be considered a "newb" at anything other than subjects they're familiar with. A newborn baby is a "newb" at life. A 16-year-old in the US is a "newb" at driving. I'm a "newb" at my current job because most of the folks I work with have been there 20 years to my 1.

I think we should concentrate on helping each other out and learning new things rather than worrying about labeling people who are simply unfamiliar with the things we take for granted.

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What is one step up from a newb?

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