Nerds/Geeks

On this site I'll be using the terms “nerd” and “geek” quite a bit, so I should be clear what I mean. For someone who really is a nerd/geek, these terms are not insults, they're just statements of fact.

Take the definition of the term “nerd” from the Jargon File:

1. [mainstream slang] Pejorative applied to anyone with an above-average IQ and few gifts at small talk and ordinary social rituals.
2. [jargon] Term of praise applied (in conscious ironic reference to sense 1) to someone who knows what's really important and interesting and doesn't care to be distracted by trivial chatter and silly status games. Compare geek.

Similarly, the definition for “geek” from the same source:

A person who has chosen concentration rather than conformity; one who pursues skill (especially technical skill) and imagination, not mainstream social acceptance.

So if I refer to “Ubuntu geeks” from time to time here, don't take it as an insult.