Never Buy a Computer

[Tass Mailing List <tass@mail.alembic.net>]

Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 13:08:41 -0600
From: Thomas F. Droege <droege@fastmail.fm>
To: tass@tass-survey.org
Subject: Never Buy a Computer

Thanks to all for all the good advice.  I believe all of you that
recommended buying an Apple.  However, I really just want a remote to
the computer in my office which is what I use to control the telescopes.
 I particllarly use the multiple desk tops.  I use 3 for each telescope
that is running.  One starts the job that runs the telescope for the
night, one runs the job that looks for collected images and processes in
batches, and the third I use to poke around in the data to see if it
looks OK.  While I could probably set up something similar on the Apple,
there would be a learning curve, and I really just want something that
works like the computer in my office.

Sunday a week I looked at all the adds in the Tribune and searched the
internet to get an idea of pricing.  I then found a place that sold
"surplus" Gateway computers.  They claim they are "surplus" production
in original boxes with 90 day guarantee.  I found a 15" screen, 512MB
memory, and 60MB disk, and a DVD combo drive (no dvd write) with no OS
for $499.00.  Seemed like a good price so I ordered it last Wednesday.
We shall see if it will load Mandriva.

On Sunday the papers came and now I see Windoz laptops with 1 GB memory,
15.4" screen, 120GB disks, DVD R/W and Vista for $699.00.  Clearly a
better deal.  There was nothing like that available a week ago.  Sigh!
Well, I am willing to pay something not to pay the tax to Bill.

Never Buy a Computer.

Tom Droege
-- 
  Thomas F. Droege
  droege@fastmail.fm