Max: Full Circle
At one time in my life I did not care for computers. I was introduced to them back in the 80's when the Internet was just for government and universities. It seemed like the only things they were good for were games - which I did enjoy on occasion - or for word processing - which they did not do well back then.
Then came the early 90's and the beginning of the public use of the Internet and other computer networks, along with a massive improvement in word processors. I decided I wanted a computer. Specifically I wanted a laptop so that I could take it will me to classes, so that I could work on papers and other writings where I wanted and so that I could download pictures of nekkid people. So after about ten minutes of in depth research that mainly involved paging through a computer magazine sitting at my mother's office, I headed out to Office Depot to buy my first real computer. It was a Compaq. I could not tell you what model it was. I do recall that it ran Windows 3.1 and had 4 mg of RAM, a 20 mg hard drive and a super fast 2400 bit per second modem. I am not sure what exactly became of that computer. I know that I gave it up sometime around 96 when my parents bought a Win 95 desktop.
From about 96 to 2000 I was a desktop guy. First my family's 95 desktop, then the 98 - later 2K - desktop I built for me and the Mrs. when we got married (which is still running strong, thank you). In early 2000 I took some tech classes. Included in the tuition for these classes is the Gateway Solo 2550 on which I am composing this post. It has 128 MG of RAM and a 6 gig hard drive. At the time, it was pretty beefed. In it's time it has run Windows NT, 98, 2K and XP depending on my mood. It even ran Linux briefly, but I couldn't get X Windows to load. I love the CLI, but need my GUI. When I was in those classes I used this computer mainly for class work. Dialing up was done on the desktop. After the classes were over, this computer tended to gather dust except when I felt like computing in another room. It was promoted back to main computer status when we bought our first house. The desktop was in the living room. But I had found that the dial-up was faster and more stable on our sun porch. So I set this puppy up and did most of my computing out there. It only briefly fell back out of favor between the time we got DSL and the time we got our wireless router. Since setting up my network, I have rarely used the desktop.
I always fantasize about getting new and interesting home electronics - especially when it comes to computers. I would lust after Powerbooks or custom built Linux laptops. I would drop by the online Apple Store or some other manufacturer's site and put together over-the-top computers that would require lotto money to finance. But, back in the real world, I tried my best to be satisfied with what I have. This computer has served me well for over half a decade. That said, as time goes on, it has started showing its age. As I put more and more demands on it, its meager resources were tapping out, leaving me locked out for minutes at a time as it tried to negotiate the tasks I set before it. On top of that, its decreasingly sufficient hard drive forced me to constantly uninstall software or transfer files to the desktop. Regardless, I had little choice but to deal with it. That is until fate and the MO State unclaimed property website - along with a check from the insurance company for the hand Laura broke in a car accident and some parent-in-law generosity - smiled on me and brought a new computer into the realm of possibility. It was not going to be one of the dream machines I would design at manufacturers web sites, but it would certainly be an improvement.
We hit a speed bump when I got found out I was to be laid off. Suddenly our influx of cash was looking more like a cushion against potential poverty than a chance to treat ourselves to some of the things we had denied ourselves. It was looking like this little old computer was to stick with me a while longer. Then fate once again stepped in. Or perhaps my loyal computer decided to throw itself on its sword for its master. Either way, I have started getting some hard disk errors. They could prove to be nothing, or they could blow up and leave me computerless. As a professional geek I cannot be without a computer. Given how much Laura depends on the desktop, it was not a candidate to go through the Max torture test that I need to put a computer through. So, necessity has led me to purchasing my first new computer in over 5 years.
After some in depth research that involved hours surfing manufacturers sites and online reviews and a day going from store to store looking for the best price, I went to my local Office Depot and bought myself a Compaq laptop. Of course this one has 512 mg of RAM, a 60 gig hard drive and built in wireless. And back in 199whatever I walked out of the store with my computer, while my new one is going to be built and shipped to me. Interesting none-the-less. Or maybe not.
Now if I can only get an iPod.
Then came the early 90's and the beginning of the public use of the Internet and other computer networks, along with a massive improvement in word processors. I decided I wanted a computer. Specifically I wanted a laptop so that I could take it will me to classes, so that I could work on papers and other writings where I wanted and so that I could download pictures of nekkid people. So after about ten minutes of in depth research that mainly involved paging through a computer magazine sitting at my mother's office, I headed out to Office Depot to buy my first real computer. It was a Compaq. I could not tell you what model it was. I do recall that it ran Windows 3.1 and had 4 mg of RAM, a 20 mg hard drive and a super fast 2400 bit per second modem. I am not sure what exactly became of that computer. I know that I gave it up sometime around 96 when my parents bought a Win 95 desktop.
From about 96 to 2000 I was a desktop guy. First my family's 95 desktop, then the 98 - later 2K - desktop I built for me and the Mrs. when we got married (which is still running strong, thank you). In early 2000 I took some tech classes. Included in the tuition for these classes is the Gateway Solo 2550 on which I am composing this post. It has 128 MG of RAM and a 6 gig hard drive. At the time, it was pretty beefed. In it's time it has run Windows NT, 98, 2K and XP depending on my mood. It even ran Linux briefly, but I couldn't get X Windows to load. I love the CLI, but need my GUI. When I was in those classes I used this computer mainly for class work. Dialing up was done on the desktop. After the classes were over, this computer tended to gather dust except when I felt like computing in another room. It was promoted back to main computer status when we bought our first house. The desktop was in the living room. But I had found that the dial-up was faster and more stable on our sun porch. So I set this puppy up and did most of my computing out there. It only briefly fell back out of favor between the time we got DSL and the time we got our wireless router. Since setting up my network, I have rarely used the desktop.
I always fantasize about getting new and interesting home electronics - especially when it comes to computers. I would lust after Powerbooks or custom built Linux laptops. I would drop by the online Apple Store or some other manufacturer's site and put together over-the-top computers that would require lotto money to finance. But, back in the real world, I tried my best to be satisfied with what I have. This computer has served me well for over half a decade. That said, as time goes on, it has started showing its age. As I put more and more demands on it, its meager resources were tapping out, leaving me locked out for minutes at a time as it tried to negotiate the tasks I set before it. On top of that, its decreasingly sufficient hard drive forced me to constantly uninstall software or transfer files to the desktop. Regardless, I had little choice but to deal with it. That is until fate and the MO State unclaimed property website - along with a check from the insurance company for the hand Laura broke in a car accident and some parent-in-law generosity - smiled on me and brought a new computer into the realm of possibility. It was not going to be one of the dream machines I would design at manufacturers web sites, but it would certainly be an improvement.
We hit a speed bump when I got found out I was to be laid off. Suddenly our influx of cash was looking more like a cushion against potential poverty than a chance to treat ourselves to some of the things we had denied ourselves. It was looking like this little old computer was to stick with me a while longer. Then fate once again stepped in. Or perhaps my loyal computer decided to throw itself on its sword for its master. Either way, I have started getting some hard disk errors. They could prove to be nothing, or they could blow up and leave me computerless. As a professional geek I cannot be without a computer. Given how much Laura depends on the desktop, it was not a candidate to go through the Max torture test that I need to put a computer through. So, necessity has led me to purchasing my first new computer in over 5 years.
After some in depth research that involved hours surfing manufacturers sites and online reviews and a day going from store to store looking for the best price, I went to my local Office Depot and bought myself a Compaq laptop. Of course this one has 512 mg of RAM, a 60 gig hard drive and built in wireless. And back in 199whatever I walked out of the store with my computer, while my new one is going to be built and shipped to me. Interesting none-the-less. Or maybe not.
Now if I can only get an iPod.
posted by Max Dobberstein at 3/02/2005 04:20:00 PM
7 Comments:
Congrats on the new box, dude! I think we will be needing pictures of you and your new baby!
Dude, look at the new iPod Mini. Four gigs, $200 bucks. I know it's not the 20 gigger - but I don't think even you, the CD god, could fill a 20 gig drive - unless you went lossless. I own a Rio that can use SD cards. It's got 128 MB built in. If I want to add a gig card, it's going to cost me $100 - so I think I want to save my pennies a little longer for the mini - in Silver ... :)
I was actually thinking iPod Shuffle. I like the idea of a flash based player and it is a few bucks cheaper. But we will see when the time comes.
Don't buy the Shuffle. Yes, you heard me, I told you to NOT buy an Apple product. If you want the shuffle, wait a bit. If I get the iPod I want, I'll send you my Rio. For the price of the 500 MB Shuffle, you can buy a 1 GB card AND be able to see what song is playing.
Does your Rio sync with iTunes?
I checked Rio's website and it seems the answer is yeskindasortano. As full iTunes compatability is priority #1, I think I will have to go iPod, whether Shuffle or Mini. I appreciate the thought, though. Jaco knows most of my material wealth is comprised of others' castoffs.
I'm not sure what you mean by "sync" - I am able to plug the Rio into my Mac, it comes up as a Playlist in iTunes, and I can add or remove songs. Is there something more wonderful than this?
Yes.
I am using Windblows, if you care to recall, Mr. I'm Running OSX!
The Rio, according to their website, loves iTunes on Macs. Not so much here in Mircoland.
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