hi, my name is kalavinka and i'm a computer addict [geeking]
heliosphan sent me this link: internet addiction test. i think she's trying to tell me that i have a problem. hahahaaaa
my score: 49.
"You are an average on-line user. You may surf the Web a bit too long at times, but you have control over your usage."
the problem with this test is that it calculates if you have a problem in terms of your internet addiction taking a toll on your life. it doesn't address that you have an addiction to begin with and need to get off the internet! 'cos i know i spend waaaaay too much time on the internet. it's my tool for everything! what were books again? plus, the test did not ask a key question: do you have an offline personality and a separate online personality? (allaf, if she's out there, will know what i'm talking about! ahahaaaa)
also, it's just about internet... not computer addiction! i know i am addicted. as soon as i come home i have to put the laptop on my lap. i just have to! call it geek anxiety, if you will. and i'll sit there coming up with things to do just to be on the computer, you know what i mean? i could come up with a list of questions to find out if you're addicted to the computer. but the questions are too scary to admit!!!
for example: replace the word "internet" in the questions with "computer". such as when you are away from the computer do you daydream about being on the computer? that sort of stuff. i'm afraid my answers would be much worse if it was for computer addiction rather than internet addiction.
try these questions on for size:
- do you think you need a memory upgrade?
- when you talk to people, do you relate things in computer terms? do you use computer metaphors?
- do you go to bed with your head facing the computer? and when you have trouble sleeping and wake up, do you stare at the computer?
- when you come home, is the computer the first thing you go to?
- in the middle of the night, have you ever gotten out of bed to check on the computer?
- when you begin to tackle any sort of project, is the computer the main tool you use?
- in the middle of sex, have you ever walked out to check on the computer?
- has your partner ever said to you, "you love the computer more than you love me"? or "i wish i was a computer so you would spend time with me"?
in my defense:
- the computer is a wonderful tool for many things. if you know how to use it, it often provides the most elegant solution.
- when a computer is sick and i attempt to remedy it, i take the project on whole heartedly and do not rest until the computer is well.
Comments
* do you think you need a memory upgrade?
Maybe...it's running somewhat, but my geeky self tweaked a few settings and my XP runs pretty damn smooth. No viruses, no spyware *knock wood*...this has become an obessions - talk about addiction...
* when you talk to people, do you relate things in computer terms? do you use computer metaphors? of course: for example, "So and so's default mode is grumpy. " lol
* do you go to bed with your head facing the computer? and when you have trouble sleeping and wake up, do you stare at the computer?
Partly ture - I wake up and look at the computer and consider turning it on. Half the time I do - the other half I think - well, I'll be on for 8 hours at work and several more when i get home - must get to work on time!.
* when you come home, is the computer the first thing you go to?
Fifth or sixth?: 1. let dog out, bathroom, food, drink, maybe shower, computer! Sometimes the Food and drink are last and done at the same time I turn on the computer.
* in the middle of the night, have you ever gotten out of bed to check on the computer?
Only if I am downloading something, on an ongoing conversation with someone, bidding on eBay or having a problem that I can't let go of.
* when you begin to tackle any sort of project, is the computer the main tool you use?
Sure.
* in the middle of sex, have you ever walked out to check on the computer?
No! I have priorities. Come on!
* has your partner ever said to you, "you love the computer more than you love me"? or "i wish i was a computer so you would spend time with me"?
No - THAT would be a problem.
Posted by: april | May 11, 2006 1:18 PM
i should've clarified that "memory upgrade" pertained to one's self. that you think of yourself in cyber terms or post-human. see, it ties in to using computers as metaphors. (so one can deduce my answer to the metaphor question!) but if throughout the day you do think of your actual computer and the upgrade possibilities and other ways to tweak it, then yes, i'd say you probably have a computer addiction.
i forgot to list questions like, do you make things for your computer? things like custom cases and even cozies! if yes, i'd say you have a goddamn problem!
and the most revealing question: do you have a blog? (or maybe that one should go on the internet addiction test)
Posted by: kalavinka | May 11, 2006 1:27 PM
Ok - I personally do need a memory upgrade and yes, there are days when i think of ways to upgrade my home computer's memory. Also, I subscribe to daily downloads that email me daily PC tweaks - if I see one I like - I use it! Addiction, it's a nasty thing.
Posted by: april | May 11, 2006 2:08 PM