Curious Poll: Computer Usage

[DaveW]

I never really thought of myself as a 'heavy computer user', but then i sort of realised the other day, i'm kind of the definition of a heavy computer user.

My computer allows me to do all my coursework, it entertains me, it allows me to communicate, shop, and learn. I put a lot of work into looking after it and have respect for what it can do.

I probably use the computer for about 10+ hours a day, almost all of it productive in some manner-games hardly even factor into my daily usage anymore.

For the record, i'm a software engineering student, and i have some problems with mobility that tend to leave me stuck indoors for long periods of time. So i'm not just a sad guy with no life altogether (or, at least, i am but have some good excuses lined up).

I was just curious as to how other users define themselves, as i know it wasn't until i stopped to think that i realised just how important my computer is to me.

-Dave

[Fear]

Man, latley computers have been crazy for me. I spent so much time trying to "perfect" my gaming pc and just make it the best it can go, that, I played no game longer then 30 minutes on it. Building a gaming pc, but spending more time on the pc them playing games. Thats a concept.

[Mitternacht]

I'm a network admin, 60% of my time awake is staring at these damn bright monitors. Thank god I don't work on weekends so I can enjoy driving.

[Fear]

I'm a network admin, 60% of my time awake is staring at these damn bright monitors. Thank god I don't work on weekends so I can enjoy driving.

You mean racing *wink*

Today I hacked my schools computers. The pc installed a windows update, and there using somthing like Novel or somthing, witch disables like right clicks and stuff for students, but since windwos was doing crazy **** due to the update. I had a right click. I also had exess to the network. So I went deep into the network finding a folder named "Admin_ssc" I clicked it, and all the folders where empty till 1 file came up, and it was title something like "css.dos" or somthing. I put that in my desktop on my student file, and whenever you log onto you're file, Novel reads a file called ccs.dos. Since I replaced my ccs.dos file with the admins file, I have admin rights. That means I can play like WoW during labtech or something!

I also saved the file to a 1 gig USB stick, That means If I can sell this file to other students..hmmm...*CHA CHING*!!!!!!!

[Aero]

yeah, ^^ thats not highly illegal.

But I would say I spend about 6 hours aday on my PC. Never gaming (I think I played 5 hours in the past 8 months). Mostly doing school work. I'm in a few english classes this year and have had tons of papers. Beyond that I check forums, talk with friends. I also habe my PC wired to my Stereo and have a TV tuner card, so for music or TV I can do it all right here.

[Mitternacht]

You mean racing *wink*

Today I hacked my schools computers. The pc installed a windows update, and there using somthing like Novel or somthing, witch disables like right clicks and stuff for students, but since windwos was doing crazy **** due to the update. I had a right click. I also had exess to the network. So I went deep into the network finding a folder named "Admin_ssc" I clicked it, and all the folders where empty till 1 file came up, and it was title something like "css.dos" or somthing. I put that in my desktop on my student file, and whenever you log onto you're file, Novel reads a file called ccs.dos. Since I replaced my ccs.dos file with the admins file, I have admin rights. That means I can play like WoW during labtech or something!

I also saved the file to a 1 gig USB stick, That means If I can sell this file to other students..hmmm...*CHA CHING*!!!!!!!

Nice. I managed to get Fortress off a PC, using all kind of DOS work; almost 3 hours, but I got it off. It was like a regular PC again. Could right-click and use the start bar.

Oh, and racing? I do my racing at the track...99% of the time ;)

[Durrthock]

Does anyone know how I can bypass this blocker
this one http://www.stbernard.com/
My school uses it and I want to go on myspace
Proxys don't work cause they blocked them
So I have no idea

[Omega]

I spend at a minimum about 4 hours on a computer a day, usually reading webforums, entertaining myself, and chatting. I used to work inside the case often, but I don't much anymore (with the exception of ArgDawn).

Razor isn't the only person who's hacked their school network -- I know several people at my school who set up and use proxy servers within the school network to get around Bess (it's kind of complex, I just use a proxy server that a neighbor runs personally heh).

[tybrenis]

Watch what you say "Fear", I don't think Paul or any of the Mods will take so kindly to that kind of talk. Also, there's a little thing called grammar, we use it every day to communicate.

I wouldn't call myself a heavy user, but probably compared to my friends, I am. I probably put in 3 hours of usage a day on average. Sometimes more, sometimes less. It normally depends on my schedule.

Computer stuff isn't all I do, or even a bulk of it. I am also heavily into paintball (I'm a sponsored speedballer), I do 48 hours a month of gymnastics, am the lead in a musical, am involved in science fair, national histroy day, science olympiads and all kinds of choir stuff. I hardly have time any more for good ol' compy.

EDIT: I just read all the posts posted as I was typing this. Watch the direction of this chat. Let my post be a message to you all: stop talking about getting around blocks right about.... now. Then go read the rules.

[DaJe]

Hmm, I suppose I've been on the computer for at least 12 hours so far today.

[Fear]

Yes, But there is also a thing called "Rush", its when you're in a hurry, and don't quite watch what you type. I "Rush" Alot. Last time I checked, Restoring a computer back to a "regular" Computer wasn't Illegal. Now, I don't want to hijack the topic.

I use a computer around maybe 4 to 6 hours aday. Mostley working on my site.

[tybrenis]

I'm not telling you to listen to me. I'm telling you to listen to Paul and the rules.

You've got a PM.

[Omega]

Yes, But there is also a thing called "Rush", its when you're in a hurry, and don't quite watch what you type. I "Rush" Alot. Last time I checked, Restoring a computer back to a "regular" Computer wasn't Illegal. Now, I don't want to hijack the topic.

First off, I believe that where you use "wasn't" should be "Isn't".

Also, hacking Admin accounts can be considered illegal, especially if you're told not to. Selling it would probably be very illegal as well. That's distributing unauthorized information.

Now, maybe getting around filters isn't illegal, but you're not supposed to do it, the filters are there for a reason.

[Airbozo]

I work on various computers approximately 10-12 hours a day except for weekends. Hardware testing and os installs. Some test bench upgrades, some new product development, some customer schmoozing. <<that word is in the dictionary, heheh.

[xRyokenx]

I consider myself a gamer, but I haven't played a game for more than 5 minutes in about 3 months or so, and even then I didn't play much, hence the reason to save up and buy a graphics card I'm looking at. I mainly BS with people online, like here, and MySpace, which I hate because of the crappy, overfilled profiles and slow load time, but oh well... what it takes to keep up with friends that you don't have classes or lunch with...

[Omega]

I don't use MySpace at all and I can stay in touch with quite a few people I don't see often.

Of course, most of my friends are in my clique anyways, so yeah.

[CanaBalistic]

Lets just say, if USB came in hypodermic, i'd be jacked in constantly.

My computer is on every second im at home (excluding most nights). I think of it as an extention of my home thearter. I play no cd nor radio, my PC carries my entire music library and a small portion of my movie collection. I use my PC like a game console when im bored. And i allways have a browser open, pointed at TBCS!!! Go Team Go!

[ESX]

I just realised how much of a computer freak I am :/
I spend at least 5 hours a day, and when on holidays i spent most of the day unless I find something more entertaining to do (going outside during the day is quite useless, and at night theres not much to do.... the consequences of living in a small town....)

[nil8]

Since I'm currently unemployed, I have lots of spare time. I search for jobs online, play games, browse websites, a few forums and chat from time to time.

When I'm in the mood to sit in front of my computer, around 6 to 8 hours a day.
When I'm not about 2. I like to pursue other interests.

I also watch TV & movies on a pc, I'm not factoring in that time because it's tv not computer.

I play games in waves. When I'm heavily into a game or gaming, around 6 to 16 hours a day.

When I am working in IT around 3 or 4 hours of a day is typically spent staring at a screen. Once I get home it's normally another hour or so. I try to limit my time while I'm working or else I get eye strain and fail to do anything else with my time besides computers.

When I get out of my house I don't look at, touch, or deal with computers. My family and friends have learned that. I do enjoy a vacation from my obsession. They can call me and I can fix their problems remotely 90% of the time.
If it's physical and related to computers, fine. Terminating cable, running cable, fixing a scanner/printer/box. Super. Just no screen time.

I will say this, if you feel like you're starting to burn out from staring at the screen, stop. Go do something else and come back when you feel like it. I've burnt out a couple of times and it's no fun being forced to continue something you're sick of.

[simon275]

When I wasn't working I would wake up at 10:00 am and get of my computer at 3:00 am. I might go out from like 9pm to 1pm on like thur-fri-sat to party.

Now I work I get in a couple of hours each night and binge on weekends.

[DaveW]

Let my post be a message to you all: stop talking about getting around blocks right about.... now. Then go read the rules.

Crimson doesn't like when people talk about hacking on the boards either. As the activity is illegal under the Computer Misuse Act, even if it is just trying to get past a school network, he doesn't want it on the boards. Remember this is his business as well. (Hence the hardline on discussions of any computer-related-legal grey areas.)

-Dave

[Slug Toy]

most of the time i spend the nights on the computer, unless ive got a break from school, in which case ill spend all damn day if i can.

unfortunately, school is a complete conflict sometimes... one course may need online reading, but another course buries you in work so you cant even look at the computer for a day or two. ive mostly managed to avoid those cases though... through clever procrastination.

anyways... monday tuesday wednesday, school will be taking up the morning for this next semester, then ill be spending the afternoon at the gym so ill get on the computer after dinner for about 4 or 5 hours. thursday is a long day thanks to a chem lab, so i dont even get home until... 7, meaning computer time is cut down by 2 hours. i get fridays off to sleep in, so lets say 12 hours minus however much i want to spend at the gym. on weekends, i go hang out with friends and take care of chores around the house, so i probably get around 5 hours a day at most again. all in all thats not bad... considering most of the time its productive, and also considering i regularly only get 4 to 6 hours of sleep.

i cant remember the last time i played a proper game either. i play those little internet games here and there, but its been... well about a year since i last touched half life 2, and that was the last major game purchase. any gaming i actually get to do is at a friends house on the 360 or something... i love my gears of war now.

i foresee things staying about the same for a while, seeming as im getting into exploratory geology which will most likely require lots of computer model analysis and word processing for report write ups. even once i get a nice job and im out in the field... i would expect to have access to a laptop most of the time even if it isnt hooked to the internet.

all in all, id say im a moderate user... definitely no computer engineer or programmer, but definitely not a novice either.

[AJ@PR]

I'm a geek =O

@ work, probably 7.5 hours out of every 8... if I work 8.
If there's more work, say 10 hours, probably 9.5 hours in front of the computer.

At home, after I'm done with the stuff I've got to do around the house, I sit down. Maybe for an extra 4-5 hours.

When I go to my mom's house, I try not to use a computer, as if I do... I'm lost to the cause.

w00t Cool thread! w00t

[tennysol]

8-9 hours of CAD work at the office...getting my MBA online at home, gaming, and home theater pc activities, a Linux box and Vista test box, and the roaming laptop...

= Way too much time on the computer...

[DaveW]

This is working towards me justifying the price of one of these bad ass mutha f*ckers. (http://www.aria.co.uk/productslist.asp?name=MON-TFT-DL-3007&ref=froogle&popup=ProductInfoComm.asp%3Fid=25532) I mean, if i use the computer this much...

Actually seen one of these in real life. You just don't get what a difference a native Resolution that high makes until you actually see it. So, after Christmas, I'll scrape together my funds and decide if i can afford it.

It's either that or i save up for a new car, but as it's the computer that i really use, for everything, i think i'm better off with the display. Plus, i doubt i'll skid on ice and crash the display, like i did with my car a few days ago. :)

-Dave

[slytherock]

I spend 8hr/day at work on computer, editing movies, authoring DVD, webmaster, and more (unfortunatly, at work it's on a quad G5...) As soon as I get home I'm on my personnal projects, editing movies, authoring DVD, trying new softwares, modding, rethinking my hardware and a bit of gaming (mostly CIV) so I spend almost 16hr/day. I might be a geek, but I get out 2-3 times/week with friends and familly. I may be a geek, but I still have a social life. I must add that everything in my life is computer related, even my phone is on my comp.

[CanaBalistic]

nill8, If your unemployed, you shouldnt be using a computer at all. That only compounds your problems. Especialy since %90 of job openings arent advertised. Besides, if there is an ad for a job, there will be at least 100 others applying for the same position. The only real way to get a job is by handing out resumes in person. 50% of new jobs are obtained by being the guy who hands in his resume the same day someone quits.

I've taken 2 employment internships in my younger years. Go pound the pavment. Its the only sure way.

just somthing to think about. Sorry for hijacking the thread :)

[DRece]

I can not calculate how much time is spent on a computer, but to everyone an idea, I have found that me and my wife have lost the need for a cable connection. Our time was spent either together with our kid or on the computer.