[GRLUG] Geek test/job opening

Wed Nov 24 12:01:32 EST 2010

I liked the quiz idea! I did some of it and found myself to be quite rusty
with some of the aspects. I think quizzes like this should be standard for
job applications and I also wish (as bob mentioned) more places would post
their salary as part of the job incentive. Most companies don't post their
wages because they want to undercut the employee if possible. These quizzes
not only help the employer understand the employee, but they help the
employee understand the employer as well.

Just my thoughts! :)

On Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 11:50 AM, Bob Kline <bob.kline at gmail.com> wrote:

> Assume?  The job description could
> include something like "we are a company
> engaged in......"
>
> IT professional reads better than geek IMHO.
>
> "Just do your job" actually sounds pretty good
> in today's world.  As long as one knows what it
> is anyway.  Creativity is a very overused word
> today.  Everyone even mildly competent, making
> the most mundane, expected, contributions calls
> themselves creative.  Probably doesn't help to
> narrow things down much.  A good recommendation
> by someone known to be competent in the field
> sounds useful.
>
>    -- Bob
>
>
> On Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 11:35 AM, Joseph Workman <joseph.workman at gmail.com
> > wrote:
>
>> I like the "game" it shows creativity and gives some insight into the
>> culture of a company. I am assuming this isn't the normal "realistic" ---
>> just do your job -- kind of company but maybe a company that has a sense of
>> humor and creativity.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 11:23 AM, Bob Kline <bob.kline at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Why the games?  i.e., why not just post
>>> a realistic job description, including a salary
>>> range?
>>>
>>> Saying one is looking for a geek might
>>> bring smiles to the computer community,
>>> but colloquially it suggests one is looking
>>> for a social loser who is willing to devote
>>> his or her life to the cause. And will likely
>>> wall themselves off from the rest of the
>>> organization as much as possible in order
>>> to keep away the demanding, largely
>>> know-nothing, computer users.  It's not
>>> an appealing pitch, but then, perhaps things
>>> have not really changed much in the last
>>> 30 years.
>>>
>>> We've seen cases of ridiculous job
>>> descriptions, seemingly looking for someone
>>> fluent in 50 or more computer languages
>>> and-or major packages.  If someone has a
>>> real job, with finite duties and hours, and
>>> pay commensurate with expectations, why
>>> not just spell it out.  Knowing the boss is a
>>> great guy is a plus from the job seeker's
>>> point of view, but just another factor.
>>>
>>>    -- Bob
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 11:09 AM, Casey DuBois <grlugcasey at gmail.com>wrote:
>>>
>>>> I can also vouch for Kyle and told him to post this opportunity to the
>>>> list. For anyone looking for work this may be an excellent opportunity.
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>> Casey DuBois
>>>> 616-808-6942
>>>>
>>>> On Nov 24, 2010, at 9:11 AM, Michael Mol <mikemol at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> > I can't say a whole lot without risking violating an NDA, and even
>>>> > providing this character reference risks putting me in an odd conflict
>>>> > with my own employer, but I do feel a couple things need to be said.
>>>> >
>>>> > I know these folks personally and professionally, and they are some of
>>>> > the friendliest and polite people I've ever met, and Kyle is one of
>>>> > the enthusiastic, driven and cleverest people I've ever met. I suspect
>>>> > he is smarter and has a higher capability for learning than I have or
>>>> > will have.
>>>> >
>>>> > I personally think it would be foolish for anyone on this list to give
>>>> > a blanket pass on the opportunity without at least trying for an
>>>> > interview.
>>>> >
>>>> > On Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 8:27 AM, Matt Michielsen
>>>> > <mattmichielsen at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> >>
>>>> >> My favorite from their images directory was this one:
>>>> http://virtualinterconnectsoftware.com/images/customform.jpg-6-21-2006
>>>> >> Reminds me of the geocities days.
>>>> >> I didn't look at their test or whatever though.  I have a hard time
>>>> wanting to put any time toward a company that I can't find any real history
>>>> on.  I guess if I were looking for a job it might be a different story.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> On Tue, Nov 23, 2010 at 8:20 PM, Bill Littlejohn <billl at mtd-inc.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>> Not only that..
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>> billl at phoenix:~$ whois virtualinterconnectsoftware.com
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>>   Domain Name: VIRTUALINTERCONNECTSOFTWARE.COM<http://virtualinterconnectsoftware.com/>
>>>> >>>   Registrar: EASYDNS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
>>>> >>>   Whois Server: whois.easydns.com
>>>> >>>   Referral URL: http://www.easydns.com
>>>> >>>   Name Server: NS1.VIRTUALINTERCONNECT.COM<http://ns1.virtualinterconnect.com/>
>>>> >>>   Name Server: NS2.VIRTUALINTERCONNECT.COM<http://ns2.virtualinterconnect.com/>
>>>> >>>   Status: clientTransferProhibited
>>>> >>>   Status: clientUpdateProhibited
>>>> >>>   Updated Date: 16-nov-2010
>>>> >>>   Creation Date: 16-nov-2010
>>>> >>>   Expiration Date: 16-nov-2011
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>>>>> Last update of whois database: Wed, 24 Nov 2010 01:16:46 UTC <<<
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>> On Tue, Nov 23, 2010 at 5:19 PM, David van Geest
>>>> >>> <david.vangeest at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> >>>> Let me guess.... first task for the new employee will be to write
>>>> the
>>>> >>>> company's website :-).
>>>> >>>>
>>>> >>>> On Tue, Nov 23, 2010 at 2:31 PM,  <
>>>> kyle at virtualinterconnectsoftware.com> wrote:
>>>> >>>>> Hi everyone,
>>>> >>>>>
>>>> >>>>> We have a job opening for a programmer/system administrator
>>>> position, and
>>>> >>>>> built a bit of a geek test to check for some of the skills we're
>>>> looking
>>>> >>>>> for:
>>>> >>>>>
>>>> >>>>> http://geektest.virtualinterconnectsoftware.com/
>>>> >>>>>
>>>> >>>>> You can take the test semi-anonymously without applying for the
>>>> job - when
>>>> >>>>> you get to the end, it lets you choose whether you want to apply
>>>> or not.
>>>> >>>>> Minimal information is required (first name, e-mail, a bit more if
>>>> you want
>>>> >>>>> to apply for the job), and you're required to post your score to
>>>> the high
>>>> >>>>> score list under a three-letter handle of your choosing.  It's
>>>> designed as
>>>> >>>>> a bit of a game, and some basic hacking is encouraged (see the
>>>> rules for
>>>> >>>>> details).  Whether or not you want the job, go ahead and try it,
>>>> even just
>>>> >>>>> to see how well you do!
>>>> >>>>>
>>>> >>>>> If you're interested in the job, we're looking for a really geeky
>>>> person
>>>> >>>>> to help us:
>>>> >>>>>
>>>> >>>>> - write software, mainly in PHP/HTML/CSS/JavaScript
>>>> >>>>> - administrate networks, servers, computers, systems, and other
>>>> electronic
>>>> >>>>> dohickeys with blinky lights and fans
>>>> >>>>> - secure data and prevent hacking attempts
>>>> >>>>> - act as on-call systems administration relief at odd hours if
>>>> needed
>>>> >>>>> (which isn't often)
>>>> >>>>> - connect/fix printers and cell phones (the glamorous part of the
>>>> job - in
>>>> >>>>> all seriousness, this should be fairly rare)
>>>> >>>>>
>>>> >>>>> Ideally, someone who:
>>>> >>>>>
>>>> >>>>> - knows how to program reasonably well
>>>> >>>>> - has experience with Linux (you are on a Linux mailing list,
>>>> right?)
>>>> >>>>> - knows a thing or two about encryption
>>>> >>>>> - can show up for work bathed and in clean clothes
>>>> >>>>> - keeps their cables neat and organized
>>>> >>>>>
>>>> >>>>> Good luck!
>>>> >>>>>
>>>> >>>>> Warm Regards,
>>>> >>>>> Kyle Maas
>>>> >>>>> Virtual Interconnect Software, LLC
>>>> >>>>>
>>>> >>>>> --
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>>>> >>>>
>>>> >>>>
>>>> >>>>
>>>> >>>> --
>>>> >>>> David van Geest
>>>> >>>> http://60cycle.net
>>>> >>>>
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>>
>>
>> --
>> Joseph J. K. Workman
>> Workman Technology Services
>> 616.827.7570
>>
>>
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