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Well the computer is almost finished.  I have all the parts and it’s up and running.  I’m almost finished setting things up.  Just a bit more tweaking of windows and downloading updates, etc.  There has been one minor problem.  The Floppy drive I ordered is defective and doesn’t work.  So I have to RMA it back to ZipZoomFly so they can send me a new one that works.  We don’t really need a floppy drive though so it’s no big deal and I’ll give the computer to my GF now.  When the floppy comes in she can just bring the box over one night and I’ll toss it in really quick.

Like I said, all the hardware is in and running and they work out the box.  Well, I take that back.  Windows didn’t recognize the modem so I had to go and download the drivers off the US Robotics website and burn them to a cd.  That aside the system is running great.

The 700mhz Celeron with 512mb of ram is plenty fast for word processing, browsing the web, doing email, light image editing (from digital camera) and even watching DVD movies.  Yup, I was a bit surprised myself but it’s smooth as silk playing movies!

So let that be a lesson for you computer shoppers.  Any idiot sales person at a place like Best Buy or Circuit City that tries to convince you that you need to get the new top of the line multi-gigahertz cpu system so you can surf the web better or watch movies is full of it.  Unless you plan to play video games or do major video editing any system sold today is just fine!

Here’s the parts list:
[X] - Case (Linkworld 617-C.88-P4)
[X] - Motherboard (PC Chips M791G)
[X] - CPU (I have a used Intel 700Mhz Celeron Processor in socket 370 format)
[X] - HSF (I have a used socket 370 Golden Orb cpu heatsink/fan)
[X] - Ram (Crucial 512mb DDR PC2100)
[X] - Hard Drive (I have a used 27.2 Gigabyte Maxtor)
[X] - Floppy Drive (Sony FD MPF920Z161/131 1.44MB 3.5in Floppy)
[X] - CD-Rom Drive (Liteon SOHW-1633S 16X Dual Layer DVD Burner)
[X] - Modem (U.S. Robotics USR263091 56K PCI Voice Faxmodem)
[X] - Keyboard (I have a used Logitech Deluxe 104key)
[X] - Mouse (I have a used Microsoft Wheel Mouse Optical)
[X] - Monitor (Balance 15” LCD Monitor)
[X] - Windows XP (XP Home Edition OEM)

Total Cost: ~$500.00

Ok, I admit for the cost you could probably buy a dell that’s much faster then this but hey this isn’t about the money.  Anyone can order a dell and have it shipped to a girlfriends house but that’s boring.  This is about my want to build a computer for my girlfriend.  It’s about getting to spend the time picking out the parts, ordering them, playing with all the parts and setting it up.

There’s something wonderful about being able to say “I made this for you because I love you!”  Maybe it’s a geek thing but this is one of those ways we geeks show someone that we think they’re special.  It’s like a painter painting a portrait or a sculptor making a piece of art.  The originality and self expression of using ones own skills to make a gift.  Just ordering a system and giving it to someone lacks that.

Do you like the new color scheme for the blog?  I was getting bored of the patriotic red, white and blue scheme.  I’m actually working on another website with this new color scheme and decided it would be nice to use it here as well.

Green is a nice spring color and makes me feel happy and relaxed.

Well, I’m off to spend the day programming and whatnot.

I’ve been in sort of a rut lately.  Well honestly, I’m in ruts a lot.  I must have a rut personality or something but anyways.

For a while now I’ve been doing some deep contemplating about myself.  Trying to figure out what I want out of life, well as far as work and employment goes.  My personal life is another story and I’m happy as a lark right now.

I have a Computer Science degree but I’m currently working at UPS as a truck loader.  It is steady pay and at the end of the day that’s what really matters.  Well as steady as 20 hours a week is. However, let’s be honest here folks!  This type of work is beneath me.  I could be doing so much more.

I guess the main thing is I need to start looking for a better job, one that’s actually in my field.

Besides that, well duh, aspect I realize that I need to do something more for myself.  I decided I should start my own part-time business.

The problem was decided what part-time business to start.  Basically, I came up with four options.  Well really three and one my mother keeps telling me I should do.  Here are the pros and cons to each.

Option 1: Build and sell custom computers on the side.

Pros:
- I like building systems
- I’m good at building systems
- It’s fun to play with the parts
Cons:
- My systems wouldn’t be cheap
- I couldn’t compete with the likes of Dell or even high end game system makers like Alienware or Falcon Northwest or the gaggle of popups in the last year.
- I don’t like to do tech support!
- Margins are low so not much money in it

Option 2: Do in home tech support / computer installing / etc (this is my mothers often suggested idea)

Pros:
- I’m pretty good at general technical support
- Get to play with lots of computers
- Get to help people which I like to do

Cons:
- Lots of traveling
- Dealing with morons
- Having to work around other peoples schedules
- Did I mention that I don’t like to do tech support?

Option 3: Web hosting / Web design
Pros:
- I’m pretty knowledgeable about server administration
- I know internet technology very well
- Hosting is a pretty low effort job long as everything works right

Cons:
- I’m really not that good at web design (I can do basic html/css layouts and php/perl web programming but don’t bother asking for graphics, flash, etc)
- Low margins because of the large competition
- People demand 24/7 tech support which I can’t provide

Option 4: Write my own software and sell it

Pros:
- I love coding!
- I’m good at coding
- Freedom to do what I want, when I want to
- Get to be creative

Cons:
- Doing what I want and making what will sell are two different things
- Writing software takes a lot of time

Well anyways that was what I came up with.  Out of those 4 options I feel writing my own software and selling it is the best option.  It provided the freedom to work on my own schedule which is a major requirement for a part time business. Plus the freedom to do what I want which is a major, major plus for me.

I’ve already come up with a few ideas for things to create.  I’m sort of all over the chart on what I want to do but I might try to focus on certain core customers like say system admins or developers.  I don’t really know yet but that’s ok.  I’m just getting going on the idea.  The main thing is finding something I like to do and doing it.

It is a sad day for Catholics around the world.  Pope John Paul II has passed away.  The pope is not just some guy in Rome.  He is the spiritual leader and father for the followers of the religion.

I’m not a very religious person by any means.  I only go to mass on holidays.  Still he is the only Pope I’ve ever known and he shaped the practices and beliefs of Catholicism that I’ve come to know.

To loose such a man is a sad, sad thing.

In some ways I’m a bit shocked by all that has happened.  I guess you sort of expect that as the leader of The Church he would always be there.  That’s not possible of course and everyone has to pass away at some point but it’s just not something you think of with the Pope.

The big thing of course now is who will become the next Pope.  We will find out soon enough but I hope the media doesn’t focus too much on it.  We should be spending time reflecting on this great man and all he as done for the world.  Let’s not forget that and throw him aside to worry about who’s next.

Thank you your holiness for all that you have done and rest in peace.