[olug] Computer

[Jon]

This is exceptional advice.  I absolutly agree.  Just wanted to say I installed StarOffice on my mom's Windoze computer and she adapted quickly.  She is also legal now.  Makes me feel beter about it.


On Tue, Aug 14, 2001 at 10:39:21PM -0500, Dave Burchell wrote:
> On Tue, Aug 14, 2001 at 07:32:35PM -0500, Phil Brutsche wrote:
> > A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far way, someone said...
> > 
> > > I would encourage you to build your own.
> > 
> > Definitely.  Unless you're a wimp *and* want the "technical support" that
> > a company like Dell or Gateway offers.
> 
> I agree that building your own machine is a great idea.  The last new,
> assembled computer I bought for myself was a Commodore Amiga 500 in
> 1989.  (Fitting in a way, since Commodore was one of the first
> microcomputer vendors to offer a complete computer for sale, as opposed
> to a kit.)
> 
> However, I seem to recall that the original poster is shopping for a
> relative.  Take it from me, if you build a computer for a friend or
> relative, or even recommend one, they will consider you their primary
> microcomputer support contact for the rest of the computer's life.  If
> you tell your cousin to buy a Gateway, and perhaps recommend some
> specs, you can always tell them to call Gateway when the CD-ROM drive
> fails or they need someone to help them through reinstalling Windows.
> Build them a PC, and they'll expect you to fix it.
> 
> This isn't always bad.  If you know they will call you anyway and you
> don't mind helping out, go for it.  Personally, I tell friends and
> relations to either buy something with a three-year warranty from
> Gateway or Dell or buy something used or so cheap that they won't mind
> trashing it in a year.  (BTW, I've steered three people to cheap
> e-Machines, and all three have worked out great.)
> 
> Another drawback to build-it-yourself is the Windows license (if your
> friend or relation wants to run Windows).  I don't think I could
> stomach writing a check to Microsoft for the nearly $200 Win98 license,
> even if it weren't my money.  You can't (legally) "upgrade" a computer
> you built from scratch.  I know, I know, the solution is to run Linux,
> BSD, Solaris-X86, or some other non-clown-like OS.  I do; I just don't
> have the energy to convert every friend and relative.  Someday.  (You
> listening Ballmer?  SOMEDAY!  <shakes fist in air defiantly>)
> 
> But to reiterate, if you want to run Linux on your own computer, build
> it yourself.  A Windows box for others?  Proceed with caution (or not
> at all).
> 
> Oh, and whatever you do, DON'T LET THEM USE MS-OFFICE!  Install
> StarOffice for them.  It does everything Joe User wants to do and runs
> great on my 48MB 100 Mhz P5.  Plus it costs about $479 less than Office
> XP (if you can find Office for $479).
> 
> -- 
> Dave Burchell                                          40.49'N, 96.41'W
> Free your mind and your software will follow.              402-467-1619
> http://incolor.inetnebr.com/burchell/                  burchell at acm.org     
> 
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