Hierarchy of TeXnical Accomplishments

Pretty much the same thing as the above, except instead of taking a snapshot of Unix users, it takes a snapshot of TeX users.

Beginner	Pronounces TeX like the name of a country singer. Is always searching for a TeX help menu in the text editor. Does not know what an operating system is, but thinks that TeX is a part of it. Has no idea what `\section` is for. Queues the `.tex` file to the printer. Has serious troubles remembering the `\` before a command name. Cannot understand why WinWord is not installed on this nasty machine.
Novice:	Knows that no help menu is available. Uses `\begin` {...}, but `\end`'s only 50% of them. Queues the `.dvi` file to the printer. Thinks that penalties are a bad thing for soccer players. Has heard somewhere that TeX is good for mathematical formulas. Cannot understand why `\section` is better than `{\Large \bf}`. Has never heard about `METAFONT`. Is amazed why WinWord was so much faster in printing. Does not know what a tabular is, but needs one in his document. Wonders how to print a backslash and tries \\. Sometimes forgets `\documentstyle` or `\begin{document}`.
User	Uses `\section` etc., but has never heard about optional arguments. Once has created a table of contents using `\tableofcontents`. Has heard about dimensions, but never seen one. Occasionally types / instead of \. Wonders why some guys like TeX so much. Wants to write a whole paragraph underlined, but has no idea how. Thinks that `\newcommand` is only for freaks. Uses tabulars, but doesn't know what ```\halign`'' in the error message means. Knows that style files contain style information. Uses the terms ``TeX'' and ``LaTeX'' as synonyms. Has learned that typing `H` after an error message is sometimes funny and never useful.
Intermediate	Uses list environments confidently. Has never heard about `\def`. Had first bad experience with fragile commands. Thinks that Knuth is the name of a local talk show host. Has figured out that optional arguments need not to be given. Has some strange wishes to change LaTeX style, but fortunately is unable to do it. Is proud to have used `\newcommand` or `\define` two times in life. Has heard that `METAFONT` is for font generation.
Knowledgeable	Generates displayed equations, but inexpertly. Once has seen The TeX book. Writes simple macros in every document. Would like to know how to implement optional parameters. Frequently asks the local TeX guru for troubleshooting. Reads `comp.text.tex` every month. Considers macro expansion rules completely uninteresting. Had tried the picture environment, but returned to pen and ruler quickly. Is about to learn about `\displaystyle` to `\scriptscriptstyle`. Thinks that `\def` is an abbreviation for `\newcommand`. Changes counter values to number sections beginning with zero. Has been told that one can alter style files, but doesn't believe it.
Advanced	Uses most LaTeX features with comfort. Has read The TeX book, but failed to solve exercise 6.1. Thinks that ``dangerous bend'' is dangerous. Posts his troubles to `comp.text.tex`. Cannot imagine an application for `\csname`. Has learned about horizontal and vertical mode. Believes that `WEB` is an arm of Spiderman. Knows that glue isn't dirty. Thinks that one must be ill to use `\expandafter`. Wonders who is smart enough to write `dvi` drivers. Has heard about `\gdef`, but regards it worthless.
TeXnician	Has read and understood The TeX book, except appendix D. Answers colleagues' questions about TeX by cutting and pasting sections from his online source copy of The TeX book and sending it to them in email. Uses `\input` to load his own macro package. Would like to use `\if`... some day, but does not see an application for it. Has read about sfcodes. Writes macros with delimited parameters. Knows something about inner vertical and restricted horizontal mode. Thinks that `\futurelet` is a useless nightmare. Has once used `\edef`. Implements exotic fonts on his laser printer with `METAFONT`.
Hacker	Uses `\csname` instead of `\ifcase` if there are more than two alternatives. Has installed emTeX on several PCs. Knows how to generate logos etc. with `METAFONT`. Uses `\xdef` when necessary. Can answer any question of novices to intermediates. Knows how to fix bugs in macros. Cannot remember when he used `\newcommand` the last time. Starts each document with `\{documentstyle [mymacros,mylists,mygrapix] {private}`. Posts answers to `comp.text.tex` every week. Has learned that active characters can do a lot.
Guru	Is completely familiar with `dvi` formats. Has gotten in trouble for filling all available disk space with `METAFONT` files. Fixes bugs in printer drivers by looking at the `C` source. Can answer any question about TeX, LaTeX or AMSTeX after a few seconds of thought. Uses `\afterassignment` twice a day. Has read ``The Art of Computer Programming'' and quotes it frequently. Cannot imagine why any human being uses WinWord. Begins every posting to `comp.text.tex` with ``As you can read in my new book...''
Wizard	Has met Mr. Knuth on a congress of typesetting. Has collaborated with Mr. Knuth in publishing a paper. Keeps the world's record in the usage of `\futurelet`. Doesn't fix bugs in `dvi` drivers, but writes own instead of. Writes document styles during his lunch. Has designed a new font to make his thesis optically unique. Never reads `comp.text.tex`, why should he? Has ported TeX to a Cray 90.
TeXpert	Fixes bugs in `TEX.WEB`. Installs TeX on a Hypercube serving 256 printers simultaneously. Develops a new font family for each person he writes a letter to. Currently works on the problem of a perfect hyphenation in any language. Corrects bad layout by patching the `dvi` file. During weekend, writes `dvi` drivers for printers constructed next year. Spends every Christmas with Donald and has married Leslie's daughter.