PC's

[Damien]

Hi Everyone :D ,

Could someone tell me if it is completely necessary to have your own PC when starting? I would like to know before I fork out a fortune on a PC. I wouldn't like to buy one if I realised that I would hardly use it. Is it just as easy to use computing facilities in the universities?

PC.... :mad: ?....500 Bud Ice's.... :D ?....PC....

Damien :evil

[elliottsimpson]

PC or how many Buds? Wow that's a tricky one! I'd certainly check out the computing facilities before I invested.

[relliott]

simple formula to work this out!!

If staying in halls, take x= no. of minutes walk to computers in library and y=no. of friends you make with 500 buds in halls. IF x -y < 0 then buy Bud

If staying at home, negate above as your gonna need the PC

HOWEVER!! buy only 400 bud. You'll 100 bud's worth of print credits, disks and photocopier cards:p

Anyway, A PC in halls makes you a theft target. Theft DOES happen in halls

PS I'm going into 2nd year and am seriously considering getting a PC of my own as I share with too many other people and never get the time I need for coursework

[DScollon]

I don't want to colour your judgement of whether you need a PC or not, but if any of you decide you definitely do need one of your own, please don't spend a fortune in PC World buying an overpowered, overpriced machine from someone who's never held a screwdriver. You might be interested to hear...

One of my friends and I never buy computers now, we always build our own. We were so appalled to hear one of our nurses say she was going to buy a PC at PC World that we offered to build her one. We estimate we've saved her around £300.

I'm extending an offer (on his behalf too without telling him :)) that we'd be happy to build computers for any of you who want them. We're not doing this to make a profit, we just enjoy getting our sleeves rolled up and electrocuting ourselves (I told you Ruth, I learned a few things from that guy Watt).

So, here's the offer. As standard, we're building medium spec machines. Low spec won't last you to the end of your course, medium spec will. Inside the box will be top quality components, nothing second hand or questionable. We can build a machine that will easily handle coursework, internet, email, etc for around £600. The price includes a good sized monitor (usually 17"), speakers and colour printer and the whole system is very flexible for upgrading if you need to alter it in the future. Mike's based in Edinburgh and I'm in Glasgow so if you're in the central belt, we can deliver it and set it up for you. Outwith that area, we'll scratch our heads and come to some arrangement with you. If anything goes wrong, you know exactly where we are (we both work in Monklands A&E) and we won't charge you £1 per minute for technical support.

If you want a high spec machine or have any specific requirements in mind, let us know and we can work out an exact cost.

If anyone's interested, drop me an email or post a message here.

Suppose I'd better email Mike now and let him know what I've dropped him in. :evil

[DScollon]

PS Elliott, it's 3.20am and I'm trying to contest your title as No.1 coffee drinker. :lol

[elliottsimpson]

mmm - so it's just 6 hours since you placed that message - you should be well a truly asleep by now, even with the coffee :o . What was your phone number again? :evil

But then, maybe you know mine and if you're going to be up regularly at 3.20 am, this could be a bit risky :(

[DScollon]

Or maybe I'm already up again. :lol

[DScollon]

Speak of the devil, here comes Mike. :lol

[mikie]

old habits die hard
sorry to start a null thread but it had to be said
anyway

nice to be here

[mikie]

Both Derek and I can't understand why people should have to pay over the odds for PCs when the current situation is that modestly priced new hardware is so powerful that for a small outlay you can have a system that will do all that you demand of it for a couple of years-an eon in the computer world.Unless you wish to edit broadcast quality video or create a professional software music studio then you don't need >1GHz,>256MB,>20GB etc.The main way to cut costs or increase the power of your specified computer is to build it yourself. I realised this about 3yrs ago as did the good dr Scollon.We also discovered that we enjoyed the process of the build so we do it for other folk at minimal profit to ourselves-pays us less than working for the state as doctors(!).Besides a mixture of altruism, insanity and multiple electric shocks allows us to reach the sort of zen-like state required to cope with the day to day madness of the MDGH A&E where we both currently reside as resident resus monkeys.
So drop us a line if you wish to experience this unique service open to all.
-Before they finally cart us away to the place with no sharp objects.

mikie

[DScollon]

Resus monkeys? :lol

You still up? It's almost 4am! (2001 prize for stating the glaringly obvious).

I'm still trying to avoid actually packing for my trip south.

[mikie]

It's been a bit of a hectic 24hrs
new bios 1008
new beta graphic drivers 7153
whole new version of mozilla 0.9.3
new sun Java 1.3.1 - a very complicated install when running 4 browsers
and a patch for Operation Flashpoint :)
just waiting for the 1st full release of netscape 6.1 rather than 6.1PR
the new folders have appeared on ftp.netscape.com but no files yet
-can't be long and may be worth a reformat as I've got a week off soon.

see ya as soon as my eyes stop bleeding

mikie

[kenclark1uk]

do you guys do laptops too? I am possibly going to Dundee or Glasgow, if i go to Dundee i would be moving to a flat some distance away from the uni and would prefer a laptop that i could take home with me so that i could still work on uni stuff. I live in East Kilbride by the way.