What type of roadgeek are you?

[roadman65]

I just like roads in general.   I love seeing the many different things that go on with them such as new road and rehabilitation projects, new signs, and other things related.  I do not know how I would categorize it, so I just tell you how it is.

[J N Winkler]

Did not vote as my primary foci either weren't listed or were defined incorrectly.

I didn't vote either.  The list of possibilities is tilted toward field categories, with some office categories (map collector, sign design sheet collector, photolog reviewer, etc.) not included.  I don't think "doesn't have a car" is a typical motivation for people in the Poster category, particularly ones who are old enough to drive and own cars that run but have work, school, or other scheduling commitments that make it easier to spend unstructured time online than to try to carve out blocks for vehicle-borne roadgeeking.

I don't follow MUTCD due to obvious reasons.

Does that mean you try to conform to Norma 8.1-IC?

[vdeane]

If you're categories aren't properly listed, you can always vote viatologist in protest.

[Molandfreak]

I didn't vote either.  The list of possibilities is tilted toward field categories, with some office categories (map collector, sign design sheet collector, photolog reviewer, etc.) not included.

That's because there will be very little turnout for any of those categories (with the exception of map collector). Seriously, there isn't anything on this list you fit into?

[J N Winkler]

That's because there will be very little turnout for any of those categories (with the exception of map collector). Seriously, there isn't anything on this list you fit into?

All of them (except Viatologist) apply or have applied to some degree in the past, but the poll allows a choice of only three.  Currently, the options that are listed take up less of my time and interest than the possible options that are not listed.  The poll is anonymous, so people aren't going to use the options you actually chose to take a reductionist view of your interests.  But it seems to me better to abstain than to cast a vote that essentially says "these are the options that fit me" when other people might be casting their votes on the basis of "this is who I am as a roadgeek"--you see what I mean?

[english si]

The list of possibilities is tilted toward field categories, with some office categories (map collector, sign design sheet collector, photolog reviewer, etc.) not included.

Or road history geek, or road numbering geek, etc.

Seriously, there isn't anything on this list you fit into?

Some would apply to me, but not primarily. None of the options are "what kind of roadgeek am I" answers. Some of them are things I don't mind doing.

What you are doing is along the lines of, after being asked "what colour is your favourite: blue, navy, sky blue, lime, green, yellow, goldenrod or glitter?", changing the question to "what colour do you like best?" when people ask for red.

[hbelkins]

OK, viatologist has nine votes currently. Looks like Calrog and Abda Dabba Doo have either cloned themselves multiple times, or we have a board full of smart-alecks.

[signalman]

OK, viatologist has nine votes currently. Looks like Calrog and Abda Dabba Doo have either cloned themselves multiple times, or we have a board full of smart-alecks.

I'm guessing (and hoping) that it's the latter.

[kurumi]

Odd but related: about a week ago I had lunch with the guy mentioned in this thread. (His friend happens to work in the same building as me, noticed a freeway photo at my desk, and soon established that he was friends with He Who Shall Not Be Named.)

So, the Degree of Separation set up a lunch, and out of curiosity I accepted. Turns out it was not the train wreck I was fearing / hoping for. We didn't talk about his site, or field of study, at all. Instead, it was mostly about places we've all been (separately) in the Eastern Sierras. If you're looking for signs of his online personality in person, you can find them, but otherwise he's just another Silicon Valley engineer who's done some traveling.

More on topic, I am definitely a historical roadgeek, who will gladly spend 8 hours in a transportation library reading as many maps, highway logs, studies, plans, etc. that I can, and piecing these stories together. I also collect sign snaps and route numbers, but it's been about 6 months since I've been someplace new.

[US81]

I would describe myself as a road history buff and map collector and can spend hours perusing old maps. I am interested in roads everywhere; I driven some nationally and internationally but the vast majority of my experience and knowledge is within Texas. I also enjoy studying bridges, tunnels and other instances where geology, geography and topology have been factors in road construction.

I have few opportunities to travel these days, except related to work; I hope to be able to travel for fun again in the future. I collect the occasional sign picture (esp. non-standard and error signage) but do not make signs. I have only a mild interest in fictional roads currently; I can enjoy the mental exercise but really do not have the time.  So, place me in whichever category you like -- except v*****t.

[SSOWorld]

refraining from voting myself in protest of the detail (no bunker-blasting )

Just say I'm a blooming into a national geek - I've been to all corners of the country and the national travel peaked last year with not one but two cross-country trips (1 N-S and 1 ELONGATED E-W)  I have the counties and Interstates of Arizona and Rhode Island to prove it (and if it weren't for I-5 N of I-505 -- I'd have the Interstates in California as well.)

I've also done extensive regional geeking - new routes each time in WI, IL and IA.

[bugo]

I'd rather be called a viatologist than a roadgeek.

[Molandfreak]

I'd rather be called a viatologist than a roadgeek.

Agreed 100%

[hbelkins]

Odd but related: about a week ago I had lunch with the guy mentioned in this thread.

Anybody else ever met him?

I'd rather be called a viatologist than a roadgeek.

Agreed 100%

Said it before, and I'll say it again. I still don't get this irrational hatred for the term "roadgeek."

[bugo]

You didn't go to middle school in the '80s.  It's a generational thing.

[Ian]

I'm definitely a regional traveler, including all of the northeast states, plus traveling around all of the places I visit. I'm also definitely a sign hunter, since I'm always on the lookout with my camera on the road looking for old and cool signs. If anyone finds an old sign within driving distance of me, I'll sometimes drive out to see and photograph it.

[Brandon]

You didn't go to middle school in the '80s.  It's a generational thing.

Late 80s/early 90s.  Now, it's geek chic, and proud to be a nerd. 
That may have something to do with a certain Doctor making it cool.

[english si]

I'd rather be called a viatologist than a roadgeek.

The fail at classics annoys me* - rather be an odologist than either! Though viatologist, while pretentious-sounding and Calrog-linked, is better than 'roadgeek'. Some geekery is cool, others are just lamer than they were due to the intermediate stages going up in coolness.

Look on the 'Big Bang Theory' - the show now doesn't treat their collecting of comics as lame, but the store they go to and the fact that they get memorabilia. It doesn't consider them playing more geeky type of computer games lame, but that they will play old text-based adventure games. It doesn't view their watching of sci fi / fantasy serieses lame, but how they stalk the actors or watch the DVD commentary or be fanatical about never-seen-before director's cuts. Oh, and they bring up Sheldon and trains when they really want to show him as a man-child.

*even if you overlook the Latin/Greek hybrid, shouldn't it just be vialogist? Where did the 'to' in the middle come from?

[J N Winkler]

So, the Degree of Separation set up a lunch, and out of curiosity I accepted. Turns out it was not the train wreck I was fearing / hoping for. We didn't talk about his site, or field of study, at all. Instead, it was mostly about places we've all been (separately) in the Eastern Sierras. If you're looking for signs of his online personality in person, you can find them, but otherwise he's just another Silicon Valley engineer who's done some traveling.

Did you really expect a different outcome?  Geek-baiting on an unmoderated Usenet newsgroup falls into the category of disreputable things people do (like frequenting prostitutes or running a payday loan business) that are ignored as long as they take place on "own time" and don't intrude into professional contexts.  On the other hand, if he had carried on at this lunch the same way he does on MTR, the negative effects would have rippled out (probably irreparably) through his professional networks.

For similar reasons, you could build an argument that excruciating politeness, not open rudeness, is the real hazard at roadgeek meets where a majority of the participants know each other only from online contexts.

[hbelkins]

So, the Degree of Separation set up a lunch, and out of curiosity I accepted. Turns out it was not the train wreck I was fearing / hoping for. We didn't talk about his site, or field of study, at all. Instead, it was mostly about places we've all been (separately) in the Eastern Sierras. If you're looking for signs of his online personality in person, you can find them, but otherwise he's just another Silicon Valley engineer who's done some traveling.

Did you really expect a different outcome?  Geek-baiting on an unmoderated Usenet newsgroup falls into the category of disreputable things people do (like frequenting prostitutes or running a payday loan business) that are ignored as long as they take place on "own time" and don't intrude into professional contexts.  On the other hand, if he had carried on at this lunch the same way he does on MTR, the negative effects would have rippled out (probably irreparably) through his professional networks.

I'd like to know if he really believes that viatology business,and why he continues to spout on about "US Federal Route 31-Dub" in the face of repeated admonitions that the terminology is simply not correct.

For similar reasons, you could build an argument that excruciating politeness, not open rudeness, is the real hazard at roadgeek meets where a majority of the participants know each other only from online contexts.

I don't think that's necessarily the case anymore, given the number of people who've met at various meetings numerous times and now socialize outside the context of this shared common hobby.

[sammi]

*even if you overlook the Latin/Greek hybrid, shouldn't it just be vialogist? Where did the 'to' in the middle come from?

Because Calrog. And because dromology was taken.

[J N Winkler]

I'd like to know if he really believes that viatology business,and why he continues to spout on about "US Federal Route 31-Dub" in the face of repeated admonitions that the terminology is simply not correct.

I don't think he would ever admit he doesn't really believe it if making such an admission would mean sacrificing his ability to bait the geeks.  I don't know if he sincerely believes it or not, but he clearly knows that it works quite well at riling up others.

FWIW, "Federal Route" or "Federal Highway" for US highways is not entirely his own invention.  Georgia DOT was using such terminology on construction plan title sheets long before Carl Rogers appeared on the horizon.  Just thirty minutes ago, while eating sausage-and-bean soup and casually browsing the NYT online, I read a correction to an article about the Hampton, Florida speed trap which may result in the town being compulsorily disincorporated by the Florida legislature:  "An earlier version of this article misidentified the road through Hampton, Fla. It is Route 301, a federal highway, not County Road 301."

After I figured out what he was about, I deliberately mokusatsu'd Carl, but this takes a level of discipline that not all (or even a majority of) regular participants in an unmoderated newsgroup possesses.  This is why geek-baiting was such a rewarding activity for him until MTR finally died.

[Henry]

Who the fuck picked "viatologist"!?!  I thought this was a viatology-free zone?

Count me in as part of that "What the hell is a viatologist???" group!

[vdeane]

FWIW, "Federal Route" or "Federal Highway" for US highways is not entirely his own invention.  Georgia DOT was using such terminology on construction plan title sheets long before Carl Rogers appeared on the horizon.  Just thirty minutes ago, while eating sausage-and-bean soup and casually browsing the NYT online, I read a correction to an article about the Hampton, Florida speed trap which may result in the town being compulsorily disincorporated by the Florida legislature:  "An earlier version of this article misidentified the road through Hampton, Fla. It is Route 301, a federal highway, not County Road 301."

Looks like the article needs a correction for the correction.

[agentsteel53]

eh.  I use "federal highway" as a general term for "US or interstate route".