Celebrate Your Techies this Friday!
Since its official launch in 1999, October 3rd has been designated Techies Day @ Work. This special day was co-founded by Techies.com and CNET Networks to publicly recognize and thank all of the technology professionals that keep businesses competitive in the 21st century.
Techies Day @ Work is also a reminder to all Tech Professionals to 
volunteer their time, talent, and skills encouraging young people to learn more about careers in technology. The high-tech sector develops and changes so rapidly, that the demand for qualified people never ends – it just becomes more and more critical. By motivating today’s youth (of both sexes!) to choose an education in the sciences, Techies are contributing to the future.
Image: giulia.forsythe Flickr
Techies @ work
In the last 25+ years Techies have made a number of amazing contributions to the modern world. As some roles, practices and processes have become obsolete; Techies now oversee many businesses core operations. Companies are more streamlined, efficient and productive thanks to new and evolving systems and solutions Techies have championed – from the frontlines of the company all the way to the Executive Suite.
Business today is better able to consume and apply information, communicate with customers, accurately manage budgets, automate processes, store files electronically, move money, conduct training, improve research as well as engage with businesses and customers all over 
the world. Techies make it possible (and safe) for employees to telecommute, work from virtual offices and communicate across the globe. They govern the policies and processes that enable wireless devices, computers, Internet conferencing, e-mail and datacentres. Techies enable business to propel forward with innovation in a highly competitive world.
Image: The Internet Messenger by Buky Schwartz
Some facts about the term “Techie” [tek-ee]
- A noun derived from the word ‘Technology’
- Characterized by technological sophistication
- A technician highly proficient and enthusiastic in one of the sciences and/or technical fields
- An early adopter of innovation and new products
- The exalted progression of a ‘geek’
- May be employees, colleagues, friends, service providers and/or whoever wears the Techie crown in a family
- Principally anyone with a designation such as Programmer, Software Engineer, Application Developer, QA Analyst, Technical Analyst, Web Developer, Systems Analyst, Forensic Specialist, Network Administrator, Infrastructure Architect, Technical Project Manager, IT Manager, R&D Director, CIO, etc.
What is the origin of a Techie?
Originally the term “Techie” was the name branded to individuals that graduated from a post secondary school or university with the name “Technology” in its title. MIT (The Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is a prime example of one of the most revered private research universities that produces Techies.
In more recent years the term Techie has become a more general occupational title referring to anyone involved in work that involves Information Technology (IT), aerospace, bio-tech or a variety of other highly skilled engineering disciplines. Regardless of the field of study, on October 3rd all individuals performing in highly skilled technical capacities can stand up and take a bow.
“The technical is not just the machine. The technical is a disposition to life.”
~Dr. Leon R. Kass, American physician, scientist, educator, author and former chairman of the President’s Council on Bioethics
What about these Techies?
Most Techies are known to display a great (sometimes even obsessive) interest in technology, high-tech devices, communication tools and computers. Some may even express a disregard for any technology that is considered obsolete within their community.
An entire industry has been spawned by the enormous interest in advanced technology. There are hundreds of websites, high-tech magazines, organized competitions and events designed exclusively to keep Techies on the “bleeding edge”. Keeping oneself current with the bombardment of distributed of technical information is fundamental to the Techie psyche.
Photo: Consumer Electronics Association
Celebrating Techies Day @ Work is really simple
Honoring your Techies can be festive, formal, informal, geeky, fun or any combination of the above
Send an e-greeting of thanks or congratulations for what your Techies contribute all year round- Create an atmosphere that celebrates, sponsors, demonstrates awareness and enthusiasm for all of their efforts
- Send a shout-out announcing Techies Day via the company interoffice communication system – your Techies likely built it!
- Enclose a “Happy Techies Day” note with their paycheque
Order in or have a potluck and serve lunch to your Techies- Host a Techies after work “mingle” at your favorite watering hole
- Encourage a young person, who is interested in the field of technology, to pursue their dream
Image: www.dailyquipple.com & Image: Potluck06″by Nehrams2020
October 3rd – This day in Tech History
- 1893 – The motor-driven vacuum cleaner was patented by J.S. Thurman
- 1901 – The Victor Talking Machine Company was incorporated. After a merger with Radio Corporation of America the company became RCA-Victor
- 1927 – Canadian PM William Lyon Mackenzie King inaugurates the first transatlantic telephone service to the UK
- 1942 – The first long-range missile (V-2 rocket, also called an A4-rocket) to reach space was launched in Germany
- 1949 – WERD, the 1st black-owned radio station in the United States, opens in Atlanta, Georgia
- 1950 – AT&T Bell Laboratories researchers John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley receive a US Patent for their invention of the transistor, which they had successfully demonstrated two years earlier
- 1952 – Britain tested a nuclear weapon for the first time off the coast of Australia. Many of the scientists who developed the “A-bomb” for the US worked on for Britain in secret
- 1952 – 1st video recording on magnetic tape, LA, Ca
- 1962 – Project Mercury: Sigma 7 is launched from Cape Canaveral, with Astronaut Wally Schirra aboard, for a six-orbit, nine-hour flight
- 1972 – Spaceflight 71-2 launched; 1st flexible substrate photovoltaic flown
- 1985 – The Space Shuttle Atlantis makes its maiden flight. (Mission STS-51-J)
- 1986 – TASCC, a superconducting cyclotron at the Chalk River Laboratories, is officially opened
- 1988 – 26th Space Shuttle Mission, Discovery 7 landed safely after its four-day mission. It was the first American shuttle mission since the Challenger disaster.
- 1997 – Japan’s maglev train breaks world speed record at 280.3 mph
- 1999 – The US successfully tested a new anti-missile defense system designed to destroy incoming intercontinental missiles
Top 5 Techie Twitter Accounts
- @TUAW – The Unofficial Apple Weblog is THE resource for all things Apple and beyond with tons of how-to’s and credible news stories
- @Macworld – Another great source for all things Apple, MacWorld holds an annual trade show that brings in techies from all over the world
- @gadgetwise – This New York Times blog is a great resource about everything related to using and buying tech products – great for new Techies
- @allthingsD – If you’re looking for straight techie reporting, all Things Digital is your go-to for this.
- @pogue – David Pogue is THE leading tech journalist at The New York Times and one of the best sources for tech product reviews
Wrapping up Techies Day @ Work
There’s no question that technology has radically changed the way business is done in the 21st century. We’ve learned to count on our Techies to design, implement and manage all of our critical business systems. They influence and improve the quality and efficiency of our day-to-day lives. They make it possible for any business, of any shape and any size, to successfuly operate 24×7 in this global economy.
Don’t overlook Techies Day @ Work on October 3rd. Everyone can celebrate the day whether in the office, working remotely or traveling on business. It’s easy, the technical means exists because our Technies have made it entirely possible!
October 3rd Tech History on YouTube
“Technical people don’t make good slaves. Without their wholehearted cooperation, things fall apart.”
~Vernor Vinge, retired American Professor of Mathematics, computer scientist and science fiction author