Buzzword: Alpha Geek

What it means. Alpha, the first letter in the Greek alphabet, has spawned a lot of power-hungry personality types, including alpha males and alpha moms. The latest members of the Order of Top Dogs, alpha geeks, are perhaps not as tough as those other alphas though they do typically have a strong interest in cutting-edge technology.

Alpha geek term first gained traction in office culture as a way to describe the person with the most technological know-how. (You know, the coworker you seek out when you can't figure out how to download pirated files through your company's ironclad firewall.)

Alpha geeks strut their stuff outside the corporate world, too. For example, your Apple-crazed friend who happily waited in line overnight to buy the new iPhone 3G is an alpha geek, as is your cousin who's been LinkedIn since early 2004 and sends out annoying invites to join LinkedIn to you and the rest of your family.

Why the buzz? Electronics aficionados are the most likely to be alpha geeks, but home and garden enthusiasts can be AGs, too. Consider cooking technology. An alpha geek will adore induction cooktops, which continue to impress our engineers and whose prices appliances are dropping.

Alpha geeks are surely joining the steam revolution, a technology that has found its way into many appliances, including dishwashers, washing machines, and even ranges. Steam modes are supposed to improve performance, although our engineers haven't found steam a noticeable improvement.

Outside the home, alpha geeks will probably know the pros and cons of zero-turn-radius mowers, or "ZTRs," as they no doubt call gear like the Cub Cadet shown above. They're also likely enamored of robotic lawn mowers, which are about as high tech as any outdoor power equipment can be. Note that one of the two models we tested was not acceptable.—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: See our Kitchen-Planning Guide for the latest on cooking technologies and our Complete Lawn & Yard Guide for what's new for the outdoors.

Comments

[Jeanette]

Help, we are looking to replace our windows. We have a ranch and are looking to replace 6 regular double hung windows, one smaller bathroom double hung window and one living room picture window w/ 2 smaller double hung windows or a bay. We have gotten a few quotes and are looking a Simonton and Gorell windows. Does anyone have any info on Gorell? prices, quality...

[Ross]

Can anyone tell me about the plus's and minus's of solar powered attic fans?

[Jesse]

I'm not such a big fan of ZTR lawn mowers... in my experience if you are not careful you can tear up your lawn with some models. I personally prefer an "old fashioned" (and I use that term loosely) riding lawn mower and a push mower to work on trim that the rider can't get.

[Rosanne]

has anyone responded to Jeanette's comment about the Simonton windows?? I'm looking at them also.

[Diane]

would like info re: Simonton Window replacements.

[marty]

Did you ever get any information on Gorell windows. I am looking at this brand also.

thanks

[Val Lee]

Did you get answer on Simonton windows? Did you install? I am considering them. If so, say whether you used vinyl or wood.

[John Willen]

Those of you who are looking for info on replacement windows, I have sold for a lot of different window companies, I am now selling for Home Depot, I sell roofs, Siding, Windows, Attic Insulation, and Gutters. All the other companies I have worked for were unethical with thier sales technics, Home Depot sells Simonton windows installed, The Simonton 6500 seris windows installed by Home Depot is the best! By far! thier warranty is the best in the industry, accidently glass breakage, sceen tear, agon gas leakage, basicaly the Home Depot Simonton 6500 widow is the last window you will ever install. Just call 1-800-homedepot, and set up an in home sales consultant to come out and give you a free quote. They will do everything right in your home and you will not even have to go into the store. They can even set you up with a Home Depot Credit Card and get you 6 Months No interest, and No Payments, in some cases, they can get you 12 months NO & NO

[Mari]

I am also thinking about buying Simonton windows. I have a ranch home in the Chicago area, have received 5 quotes ranging from $40k to 12k. (need 28 windows) HOme Depot gave me the lowest bid with the Simonton Window. There guarantee is unbelievable. I went to JD Power and there are a lot of very positive comments...even received their top rating a couple of years in a row by their ranking "highest in builder and remodeler Satisfaction amount Residential Window and patio door manufacters". Hope that helps.