Power User ???

[plurworldinc]

I have always heard of the term " Power User" and I always wonder what make a person a power user? :)

[julio_cortez]

I thought there was a user group in Windows 2000 that was "halfway" between simple users (which was very short of permissions) and administrators, which was called "power users".

PS: is >this (http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/windows_security_default_settings.mspx?mfr=true)< what you were looking for?

[m4tic]

Power user is a Windows User that runs more than one anti-virus program

[dca]

power user is a windows user that runs more than one anti-virus program

lol!

[LowSky]

Found this on wikipedia, so it has to be true :KS


A power user is a user of a personal computer who has the ability to use advanced features of programs which are beyond the abilities of "normal" users, but is not necessarily capable of programming and system administration. In enterprise software systems such as Oracle or SAP, this title may go to an individual who is not a programmer, but who is a specialist in a transaction or a business process. The "Super User" in enterprise programs (SAP, Oracle) often refers to an individual who is an expert in a module or process within the enterprise system.

[aysiu]

Profile of a typical power user (not all descriptors apply, of course, but most will): More likely to offer technical support than to ask for it. More likely to figure out a problem on her own (including Googling tech support forums) than to ask for help from someone in person. More likely to have a customized desktop (no default wallpaper, a moved or resized toolbar or taskbar, a different color scheme). More likely to be into graphics-intensive PC games. More likely to have built her own computer at least once. More likely to at least know Linux is an option for desktops/laptops/netbooks, even if she hasn't actually tried it herself.

[McRat]

PowerUser:

You know the revison level of your O/S, but can't remember your spouse's birthdate.

You think "a little backdoor action" means a remote procedure call.

Your car is 52,000 miles on it's last oil change, your lawn has 2' high weeds, but your computer has RAID and 3 separate backups available.

You actually buy one of those USB coffee warmers, and wonder when a microwave will come standard in a PC.

Your clothes went out of fashion last decade, but you have the latest Wallpaper of the Week on your puter.

Your monitor is larger than your TV, and your chair cost more than your dining room table.

...

[DougieFresh4U]

Profile of a typical power user (not all descriptors apply, of course, but most will): More likely to offer technical support than to ask for it. More likely to figure out a problem on her own (including Googling tech support forums) than to ask for help from someone in person. More likely to have a customized desktop (no default wallpaper, a moved or resized toolbar or taskbar, a different color scheme). More likely to be into graphics-intensive PC games. More likely to have built her own computer at least once. More likely to at least know Linux is an option for desktops/laptops/netbooks, even if she hasn't actually tried it herself.
So power users are only she/her? :P:P

[RiceMonster]

So power users are only she/her? :P:P

Something makes me think you wouldn't have asked that if asyiu wrote "his".

[McRat]

So power users are only she/her? :P:P

In some people's opinions, yes. :)

J/K.

I'm a power user who has been experiencing a brown-out for 35 years straight. Probably time for a new UPS.

[Dragonbite]

PowerUser:

You know the revison level of your O/S, but can't remember your spouse's birthdate.

You think "a little backdoor action" means a remote procedure call.

Your car is 52,000 miles on it's last oil change, your lawn has 2' high weeds, but your computer has RAID and 3 separate backups available.

You actually buy one of those USB coffee warmers, and wonder when a microwave will come standard in a PC.

Your clothes went out of fashion last decade, but you have the latest Wallpaper of the Week on your puter.

Your monitor is larger than your TV, and your chair cost more than your dining room table.

...

Ohh my GAWD! #-o That's ME!!!!8-)

[aaaantoine]

Profile of a typical power user (not all descriptors apply, of course, but most will): More likely to offer technical support than to ask for it. More likely to figure out a problem on her own (including Googling tech support forums) than to ask for help from someone in person. More likely to have a customized desktop (no default wallpaper, a moved or resized toolbar or taskbar, a different color scheme). More likely to be into graphics-intensive PC games. More likely to have built her own computer at least once. More likely to at least know Linux is an option for desktops/laptops/netbooks, even if she hasn't actually tried it herself.
That's me in a nutshell.


PowerUser:

You know the revison level of your O/S, but can't remember your spouse's birthdate.

You think "a little backdoor action" means a remote procedure call.

Your car is 52,000 miles on it's last oil change, your lawn has 2' high weeds, but your computer has RAID and 3 separate backups available.

You actually buy one of those USB coffee warmers, and wonder when a microwave will come standard in a PC.

Your clothes went out of fashion last decade, but you have the latest Wallpaper of the Week on your puter.

Your monitor is larger than your TV, and your chair cost more than your dining room table.

...
:lol: I also trend in this general direction, yes.

[chessnerd]

A power user is someone who uses an application, OS, or another piece of software near to the maximum extent of its abilities. This is contrasted by the "average user" who only uses some (or even just a few) features of the program.

For example: an MS Word power user utilities the more advanced features, such as creating custom Styles, using Section Headers to better organize their documents, making use of Page Breaks (instead of just Enter, Enter, Enter until a new page comes ups), etc. These things are not necessary to do, but a power user knows how to do them and uses them to ease their work load.

A common complaint about applications like OpenOffice and GIMP is that "power users" of MS Office and Photoshop aren't satisifed with them because they lack advanced features.

[aysiu]

A power user is someone who uses an application, OS, or another piece of software near to the maximum extent of its abilities. This is contrasted by the "average user" who only uses some (or even just a few) features of the program.

For example: an MS Word power user utilities the more advanced features, such as creating custom Styles, using Section Headers to better organize their documents, making use of Page Breaks (instead of just Enter, Enter, Enter until a new page comes ups), etc. These things are not necessary to do, but a power user knows how to do them and uses them to ease their work load. I'd like to put it as a power user tends to embrace advanced features instead of being intimidated by them. For me, what distinguishes a power user from an average user is not knowledge but attitude. The power user may not know about the advanced features in Word, but if you show her the advanced features, she'll be far more likely to say "Cool, I never knew you could do that. That'll save me so much time!" instead of an average user, who is far more likely to say "I don't want to do that. I've always done it this way. This way works better for me. That's too confusing."

Something odd I've seen a lot of average users do is see a pop-up dialogue box and, instead of actually reading it, just getting an annoyed look on their faces, and closing it... only to be annoyed again when it reappears. Power users tend to see the pop-up dialogue box and immediately look for the checkbox that says "Do not ask again" so that it will not pop up again.

[McRat]

I think the real litmus test for a Power User, is you've screwed up a computer so hard customizing it, that not even the advanced tech support (pay per view) crew can fix it. They send you a patch and let you into their secret forum, IIRC.

Or -

You get a phone call from their project engineer: "OK, how did you get it to do that?":confused:

[chessnerd]

I'd like to put it as a power user tends to embrace advanced features instead of being intimidated by them. For me, what distinguishes a power user from an average user is not knowledge but attitude. The power user may not know about the advanced features in Word, but if you show her the advanced features, she'll be far more likely to say "Cool, I never knew you could do that. That'll save me so much time!" instead of an average user, who is far more likely to say "I don't want to do that. I've always done it this way. This way works better for me. That's too confusing."

I can agree with this. I don't use all the advanced features of software, but I am more likely to use them when I find them out. For example, I know how to make Section Headers in Word, but I don't because I don't see the need to.

However, when I found out that Ctrl-Enter brought you down the the next page automatically I went back and changed all of my documents right away and have been using it ever since.
On the other hand, when I took Introduction to Computing last semester, the teacher had to keep stressing the use of page breaks because people still did the Enter, Enter, Enter thing.


Something odd I've seen a lot of average users do is see a pop-up dialogue box and, instead of actually reading it, just getting an annoyed look on their faces, and closing it... only to be annoyed again when it reappears. Power users tend to see the pop-up dialogue box and immediately look for the checkbox that says "Do not ask again" so that it will not pop up again.

Oh, yes. The "Installer Ignorance" also kills me. My aunt used to have half a dozen toolbars in IE from installing stuff. It took a while for me to explain that, when you install something, you need to READ the check boxes to make sure they aren't adding garbage to your computer...


I think the real litmus test for a Power User, is you've screwed up a computer so hard customizing it, that not even the advanced tech support (pay per view) crew can fix it. They send you a patch and let you into their secret forum, IIRC.

And your use of "litmus test" in this context gives you free access to the Science Nerd Hall of Nerdom.

[McRat]

Hit CNTL + ; in EXCEL sometime. At first, that was feature that didn't work right, so they did not document it. I'm not sure if they ever did.

It's probably common knowledge now, and is perhaps documented, but it was a favorite "undocumented" shortcut.

I also like doing .... HEY!!!????

How come I can't type extended ASCII chars from the numeric keypad!!??? :mad:

OK, back to Windows I go!! ;)

[julio_cortez]

More likely to offer technical support than to ask for it
It's me, actually. At least when it comes to Windows. When it's about Linux I'm still a total noob :)


More likely to figure out a problem on his own (including Googling tech support forums) than to ask for help from someone in person
Yep.


More likely to have a customized desktop (no default wallpaper, a moved or resized toolbar or taskbar, a different color scheme)
Not really. I only have a transparent konsole on the right side of the desktop so the actual text seems written directly on the wallpaper :P


More likely to be into graphics-intensive PC games
rFactor and PES, well, not really. YET.


More likely to have built his own computer at least once
I used to build them even for others indeed ;)


More likely to at least know Linux is an option for desktops/laptops/netbooks, even if he hasn't actually tried it himself
Of course. It's Kubuntu I'm using right now.

WOOOOO I'M A POWER USEEEER!!
Oh funk, I used to be an administrator not long ago.. I've been demoted :(

[aysiu]

Oh, yes. The "Installer Ignorance" also kills me. My aunt used to have half a dozen toolbars in IE from installing stuff. It took a while for me to explain that, when you install something, you need to READ the check boxes to make sure they aren't adding garbage to your computer... I, too, have encountered a lot of people who wonder how various toolbars and other programs ended up on their computers. Unfortunately, many companies go for opt-out instead of opt-in.

[jetsam]

And your use of "litmus test" in this context gives you free access to the Science Nerd Hall of Nerdom.

This may come dangerously close to crossing the streams, but here's a free day pass (http://www.xkcd.com/).

[McRat]

Ever see disappearing ink for computer screens? Back before there were monitors, computers used Teletype terminals to communicate with the user. You type, they type. For classified work, you put in a disappearing ink ribbon in the teletype. When monitors came out, they had to keep this technology for military applications.

If you believe that, you're really gullible...

[jetsam]

Why aren't you back at the CAD thread? Oh that's right: you already gave it all there.

Remeber The Monkees? One of 'em inherited a family fortune from white out. Unbelievable, but it's true. I'm sure you can read about it on wiki. Office products!

wft?!:):(:P:confused::guitar::KS:popcorn:

[McRat]

The secret X7 Rocket Plans are in the cloakroom, in a Batman lunchbox.




Just like magic!!! This is my advanced security system.

[jetsam]

Your secret is safe with me.

[steveneddy]

Why aren't you back at the CAD thread? Oh that's right: you already gave it all there.

Remeber The Monkees? One of 'em inherited a family fortune from white out. Unbelievable, but it's true. I'm sure you can read about it on wiki. Office products!

wft?!:):(:P:confused::guitar::KS:popcorn:

That was Mike Nezmith. He grew up in Dallas. Funny, my Mom and his Mom were friends and I met Mike many times before I realized he was famous - I just thought he was a little....touched.

He's a cool guy now and has been very successful in business since he was in the 60's TV band, The Monkees.

[plurworldinc]

Great Answers !!!!:popcorn:

I must say, I now have a new and greater understanding of a Power User.

Power User:

A computer user that goes above and beyond the normal PC user. A Hacker ( not to be confused with todays idea of a Cracker also known as a Hacker, but a person that will tweak hardware and software to make it work outside the original idea of it). A techoholic!!!

Multi-Monitors, of course one monitor is never enough !!!

You know your a Power User when you have more then 6 computer running in your house at once and your old car out front is a wifi hotspot for when you are out on a night on the town.

The standard or minimal number of computer in front of you at this very moment is about 3 or more ( Desktop, Laptop, and Netbook) just for kicks we can throw in Tablets and other wifi devices like UMDs and smartphones

A Power User is a person that bought a brand new PS3 just because it would make a great supercomputer to run another Linux distro on.

And last but not least a Power User can survive for days trapped inside of a server room with nothing but cold pizza and energy drinks while sending out S.O.S txt from there Terminal and compiling code all at the same time.:guitar:

[ubunterooster]

power user? I prefer power saver :lol: 45 Watts for a "powerful" Desktop; that's me :D