Hands up Tinkers
Douglas Johnston has been developing a taxonomy of different archetypes of people who are constantly playing with their productivity systems: Tinkers, Tailors, Soldiers and Spies. It was immediately obvious to me which I was—like Douglas, I am a Tinker. To quote him:
- “The Tinker is the consumate tweaker for tweakingâs sake.” Oh, that’s me all right.
- “…modify existing setups (even if they already work fine)”. Check.
- “Tinkers are far less concerned about using the system than the idea of creating it…”. Check.
- “Fascinated by planners, bags and utensils with multiple uses, hidden compartments…”. Oh my, yes.
- “…the Tinker might also carry a Swiss Army Knife, Leatherman…” Check!
Hey, has he been going through the hidden compartments in my multi-purpose bag?
1
raises hand
It is a little creepy having someone you've never met describe you so completely...----- Like every other programmer I've met, I'm a Tinker
It's a highly entertaining kind of person to be.
by David Smith @ 12/01/2006 4:02 am • Permalink •
2
I think he missed one. It should be Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Muppet. I am a Muppet. At times I may show Tinker-like behavior (at the start of tasks and projects), sometimes Soldier (particularly when mundane tasks approach their deadline), I'd like to be more Tailored being aware that whilst I have Spy-like traits I can't really carry it off. I do in fact have a Moleskine, PDA and even Space Pen; two were gifts so may not count. They are sitting in my Crumpler Bag for which I have Bsag to thank for the inspiration and subsepquent Soldierly response. That said we Muppets are generally well rounded human beings...
by Ian @ 12/01/2006 8:02 am • Permalink •
3
Hurray for Crumpler bags!! I had been looking for a replacement for old bag for ages when bsag wrote about her Crumpler. I drove all the way to Nottingham from Oxford just before Christmas to go to the only UK Crumpler shop. After shoving all my stuff into several bags I ended up I buying a King Single> which I love, cherish and hope it will last a life time.
by Helen Rayner @ 12/01/2006 1:01 pm • Permalink •
4
Should that not be "Tinkerer", unless of course you are planning on soldering your Apple Macs over an open wood fire whilst at the same time whittling clothes pegs and roasting a hedgehog in clay?
by Jonathan Briggs @ 12/01/2006 6:02 pm • Permalink •
5
Larry Wright: Too right!
David Smith: I agree, but then I would as I am one too.
Ian: Hehe :-D
Helen Rayner: Wow, that's dedication, driving all that way for a bag. I salute you. And with you and Ian both buying bags after I've written about them, I kind of wish I was getting some kind of commission!
Jonathan Briggs: It should be, but then it wouldn't work with the 'Tailor, Soldier, Spy' bit.
by bsag @ 12/01/2006 7:01 pm • Permalink •
6
Hmm. I have the Moleskines, amongst a sea of other notebooks - mostly high-end, Swiss Army knives, Leatherman (until someone stole it), Crumpler bag, you name it... I don't know that you'd call any of it a personal productivity system though. More a load of ideas put down in different places in different coloured pens for variety. Glitter gels are a current favourite. To keep organized I use a small Letts diary, and I wrestle with a Palm. Matteries, after all, are not one's friend. What's to tweak about a diary? What does this make me? Deliberately badly organized, and very well equipped not to be I suppose.
by jim w @ 12/01/2006 10:02 pm • Permalink •
Page 1 of 1 pages