The Geek “Must Do Before You Die” List

These are the 100 things every geek needs to know so that they can truly put “Here
Lies a True Geek” on their headstone.

Item Web Reference

 1. Add a Third Monitor http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/1
7960-13-adding-monitor
 2. Build a Linux Firewall http://www.ocmodshop.com/ocmodshop.
aspx?a=1524
 3. Build a Network File Server http://dailycupoftech.com/howto-install-
freenas/
 4. Build a PC http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/
 5. Build a Robot http://www.hiskey.us/PhysicalComputing
/Week10.aspx
 6. Build an HTML based Website using Notepad http://www.w3schools.com/htmL/
 7. Bypass a Computer Password on All Major http://www.joetech.com/2009/01/29/ho
Operating Systems w-to-crack-the-account-password-on-any-
operating-system/
 8. Bypass School or Work Website Blocks http://laptoplogic.com/resources/64-
things-every-geek-should-know
 9. Carry a Computer Cleaning Arsenal on Your http://laptoplogic.com/resources/64-
USB Drive things-every-geek-should-know
 10. Compile a Linux Kernel http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/compiling-
linux-kernel-26.html
 11. Control Your House Lights with a Computer http://www.instructables.com/id/Control
-lights-in-your-house-with-your-
computer/
 12. Convert Cassette Tapes to Digital Audio Files http://lifehacker.com/software/mp3/alph
a-geek-how-to-digitize-cassette-tapes-
222394.php
 13. Crack a Wi-Fi Password http://docs.lucidinteractive.ca/index.php/
Cracking_WEP_and_WPA_Wireless_Networ
ks
 14. Create “Hello, World” in at Least Five http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alphabetical
Different Programming languages _list_of_programming_languages
 15. Create a Disposable E-Mail Account http://dailycupoftech.com/2009/03/14/c
reate-a-temporary-e-mail-account-on-
your-domain/
 16. Create a Recovery Drive Image http://dailycupoftech.com/2008/05/06/fr
ee-or-open-source-imaging-solutions/
 17. Create a WordPress Plugin http://net.tutsplus.com/tutorials/wordpre
ss/creating-a-custom-wordpress-plugin-
from-scratch/
 18. Create a WordPress Theme from Scratch http://www.wpdesigner.com/2007/02/1
9/so-you-want-to-create-wordpress-
themes-huh/
Daily Cup of Tech http://www.dailycupoftech.com
 Item Web Reference
 19. Create an Add-On for Firefox http://lifehacker.com/software/program
ming/how-to-build-a-firefox-extension-
264490.php
 20. Create an SSH Tunnel http://www.ehow.com/how_2036605_cre
ate-ssh-putty.html
 21. Create Music with Keyboard http://thebatman.net/keybored/
 22. Design and Build a Circuit Board http://www.olimex.com/pcb/dtools.html
 23. Do Cool Things to Altoids Tins http://www.squidoo.com/altoids-tins
 24. Download a Video from YouTube http://keepvid.com/
 25. Download Wikipedia http://download.wikimedia.org/
 26. Execute a Shell Script http://www.mcsr.olemiss.edu/unixhelp/s
crpt/scrpt1.2.html
 27. Find a Users IP Address on AIM http://www.elitehackers.info/forums/arc
hive/index.php/t-2827.html
 28. Find a Website IP Address Without http://laptoplogic.com/resources/64-
Web/Command Prompt Access things-every-geek-should-know
 29. Flash System BIOS http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?
articleID=1605
 30. Hack a Pop Machine http://skattertech.com/soda-machine-
hack/
 31. Hack a USB Drive Startup File http://dailycupoftech.com/usb-drive-
autoruninf-tweaking/
 32. Hide a File Behind a JPEG http://www.online-tech-
tips.com/computer-tips/hide-file-in-
picture/
 33. Homebrew Hack Game Systems http://www.3stepads.com/2009/03/05/l
earn-unlock-wii-system/
 34. Increase Wi-Fi Range http://www.mavromatic.com/archives/00
0451
 35. Install a Content Management System for a http://dailycupoftech.com/2009/04/24/c
Website ms-roundup/
 36. Irrecoverably Protect Data http://www.truecrypt.org/
 37. Jailbreak an iPhone http://lifehacker.com/398906/jailbreak-
iphone-20-with-pwnagetool
 38. Know the Meaning of Technical Acronyms http://www.techterms.com/acronyms.php
 39. Know Who Mulder and Scully Are http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulder_and_
Scully_(song)
 40. Learn and Write Javascript http://www.yourhtmlsource.com/javascri
pt/basicjavascript.html
 41. Learn At Least One Fictional Language http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_const
ructed_languages
 42. Learn Hexadecimal and Binary Number http://www.wisc-
Systems online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objID=DI
G1102
 43. Learn How to Convert a DVD to x264 (or http://howto.diveintomark.org/ipod-dvd-
XviD or DivX) ripping-guide/
 44. Learn How to Hot Wire a Car http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Hot_Wire_Y
our_Car
Daily Cup of Tech http://www.dailycupoftech.com
 Item Web Reference
 45. Learn How to Install Mac OS X on a PC http://dailyapps.net/2007/10/hack-
attack-install-leopard-on-your-pc-in-3-
easy-steps/
 46. Learn How to Reset RAM http://www.yousaytoo.com/sudjarwo/ho
w-to-reset-ram-in-a-computer/29133
 47. Learn Important Keyboard Shortcuts http://ow.ly/548w
 48. Learn the Fastest way to Kill a Computer http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?
articleID=1720
 49. Learn to Identify Keyloggers http://www.ghacks.net/2007/06/28/how
-to-defeat-most-keyloggers-on-public-
computers/
 50. Learn to Identify Major Constellations http://www.sky-watch.com/astronomy-
guide/major-constellations.html
 51. Load Rockbox onto an MP3 Player http://rockbox.org
 52. Lock Your Computer with a USB Drive http://lionjkt.wordpress.com/2008/12/3
1/how-to-lock-your-computer-with-usb-
drive/
 53. Make a Cat5 Patch and Crossover Cable http://geeksaresexy.blogspot.com/2006/0
1/save-money-how-to-make-your-
own.html
 54. Make a Laptop Cooling Pad http://www.instructables.com/id/Lazy-
mans-laptop-cooler/
 55. Make Your Office Ergonomic http://www.ergotron.com/tabid/305/lan
guage/en-US/default.aspx
 56. Mod a Flash Drive Case http://www.instructables.com/id/Metal-
USB---Flash-drive-case-mod/
 57. Monitor Network Traffic http://www.slac.stanford.edu/xorg/nmtf/
nmtf-tools.html
 58. Mount and ISO in a Virtual DVD Drive http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind
ows-vista/mount-an-iso-image-in-
windows-vista/
 59. Move Completely To Open Source http://www.osalt.com/
 60. Permanently Delete Data on a Hard Drive http://www.dban.org/
 61. Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid
=16929680703
 62. Pick a Lock http://www.gregmiller.net/locks/mitguid
e/
 63. Play a Geek Practical Joke http://www.wired.com/entertainment/th
eweb/news/2008/03/pranks08?currentP
age=all
 64. Play Retro Games without Retro Consoles http://www.ladyada.net/make/fuzebox/i
ndex.html
 65. Put LEDs Inside a Light Bulb http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2006/
06/make_a_led_bulb.html
 66. Put Open Source Firmware on a Router http://kamikaze.openwrt.org/docs/open
wrt.html#x1-40001.1.1
 67. Read 1337 At Normal Speed http://www.wikihow.com/Read-and-
Write-in-1337

Daily Cup of Tech http://www.dailycupoftech.com

 Item Web Reference
 68. Recover Deleted Files http://lifehacker.com/393084/how-to-
recover-deleted-files-with-free-software
 69. Recover Master Boot Record http://www.ntfs.com/mbr-damaged.htm
 70. Register Your Name as an Internet Domain http://www.thesitewizard.com/archive/r
egisterdomain.shtml
 71. Remotely Control a Computer http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?
articleID=1441
 72. Replace a Laptop Keyboard http://www.refurbished-laptop-
guide.com/how-to-remove-a-laptop-
keyboard.html
 73. Replacing a Laptop LCD http://www.fonerbooks.com/laptop_4.ht
m
 74. Retrieve Data off Hard Drive http://laptoplogic.com/resources/5-ways-
to-retrieve-data-off-a-crashed-hard-drive
 75. Rip Streaming Videos http://applian.com/download-videos/
 76. Run an Operating System from a USB Thumb http://www.pendrivelinux.com/
Drive
 77. Run Multiple Computers with one Keyboard http://dailycupoftech.com/2007/02/19/
and Mouse multiple-computers-1-keyboardmouse-no-
kvm/
 78. Run Operating System inside a Virtual http://linuxvirtualization.com/
Computer
 79. Run Your Own Ethernet Line http://www.ertyu.org/steven_nikkel/ethe
rnetcables.html
 80. Screw with Wi-Fi Leeches http://tech.nocr.at/hacking-
security/baffle-wifi-leeches-with-an-
upside-down-ternet-2/
 81. Setup a Computer in the Cloud http://howto.opml.org/dave/ec2/
 82. Setup a Streaming Media Server http://www.n00tz.net/2008/07/vlc-
media-server-ubuntu-hardy/
 83. Setup a VPN http://www.computernetworkinghelp.co
m/content/view/41/1/
 84. Setup an Apache, MySQL, Mail, PHP server on http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.
Windows and Linux html
 85. Shrink a Website URL http://internet.suite101.com/article.cfm/s
hrink_a_link_with_free_url_shorteners
 86. Soldering Glasses Together http://www.ehow.com/how_1315_weld-
glass.html
 87. Strip Windows DRM http://undrm.info/remove-DRM-
protection/FairUse4WM-freeware-DRM-
removal-Windows-software-Strip-copy-
protection-from-WMV-ASF-WMA-
Windows-Media-Player.htm
 88. Surf the Web Anonymously http://www.torproject.org/
 89. Survive in a Linux Argument http://www.linux.com/articles/feature/
 90. Tethering a Smartphone http://www.tech-
recipes.com/rx/2276/smartphones_bb_tre
o_tether_modem_usa_carriers/

Daily Cup of Tech http://www.dailycupoftech.com

 Item Web Reference
 91. Turn a Laptop into a Digital Picture Frame http://repair4laptop.org/notebook_pictur
e_frame.html
 92. Turn Webcams into Security Cameras http://www.simplehelp.net/2006/09/27/
how-to-use-your-pc-and-webcam-as-a-
motion-detecting-and-recording-security-
camera/
 93. Unbrick a Smartphone http://www.howardforums.com/
 94. Understand What "There's no Place Like http://www.tech-faq.com/127.0.0.1.shtml
127.0.0.1" Means
 95. Unleash a Laser Pointer's full potential http://hacknmod.com/hack/6-fantastic-
laser-pointer-projects/
 96. Unlock an iPhone http://www.pcworld.com/article/137223
/how_to_unlock_an_iphone.html
 97. Upload a Video to YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFyIT
7rVZ0Q
 98. Use a Camera in Manual Mode http://digital-photography-
school.com/digital-camera-modes
 99. Use Bittorrent Effectively http://infinitium.blogspot.com/2005/03/j
s-essential-howto-guide-bittorrent.html
 100. Wire a Home Theatre System http://www.prillaman.net/ht_info_8-
wiring.html

Daily Cup of Tech http://www.dailycupoftech.com