Why do people have so much pride in "building" a computer ?

[GooberPHX420]

<< Dell computers are a POS. Have you ever tried upgrading one? Or even looked inside? >>



ROFL, ever opened up a HP Pavillion? Gotta remove the power supply to install ram. Gotta remove a huge ass shell just to look @ its innards

 

[deftron]

People keep comparing computer asssemblers to auto mechanics...

Do you honestly believe they are on the same level ?

Auto mechanics must have knowledge of many parts of many different
car models and many reasons for many problems. It's much more complicated than
some are making it out to be. Unlike most average computer assembler, mechanics
dont have the luxury of trial and error method. They most know
exactly what they're doing. Customers are waiting.
The only close comparison in the computer world would be hardware designers,
software coders, and driver writers.

Computer assembling, (I never said anything about repairing, although
it's just as simple as long as a part isn't physically broken) requires knowledge
of a couple dozen parts at most, with different brands being compatible (IBM Compatible PC).

If people really wanted to promote the "power-use" of computers, they would explain the simple process
to people that "don't know" how to build a PC and assure them that all they need to do is
read the manual. That its really not hard, and anyone can do it.

 

[ChinamanatNCSU]

Yeah, I think for me its more of a satisfaction that I accomplished something myself, irregardless of how easy it it. I take the same pride in building models kits. Its the finished product that I enjoy. Plus, even with the relative ease nowadays of assembling a computer, I'd dare say half the population wouldn't dare do it themselves, b/c if they did Dell, HP, and other big companies wouldn't be selling as many pre-builts as they do now. God knows my sister would never ever stick her hand inside a case b/c she'd be paranoid about breaking something. I was like that too myself. My friend, who supervised the assembly of my first computer heard questions like: "Crap, I touched that thingy on the motherboard, is it broken?" "I'm having to try awfully hard to snap this heat sink in place, am I going to break it?" "Holy crap there are a lot of wires...where do they all go? What if I plug it in the wrong places?" After getting it through my head that 1) computer parts are pretty sturdy and can take slight bumps or touches 2) most everything fits more or less only one way, it got easier.
Also, I like the fact that my system cost a couple hundred less than a prebuilt one that included everything I had in it. I saved money, and got to pick and choose the components I wanted. Plus, the inevitable upgrade is much easier.
Finally I think Demon-Xanth made a good point- there's a slew of compatability issues to be careful of. My first self-assembled computer froze or rebooted daily, and had conflicts with different pieces of hardware, and that's because I didn't take the time to do thorough research and just bought el cheapo stuff. Took a new mobo for me to learn my lesson .
Summary: I enjoy the fact that I assembled my own computer which works properly, but I don't think people should gloat over the fact that they do assemble their own computers or think that they are superior beings. If people want to take the prebuilt path, let them be- just wait till they need tech support...

My looooong $0.02 (sorry)

EDIT: spelling, and I thought of something else to say

 

[ChinamanatNCSU]

<<

<< Dell computers are a POS. Have you ever tried upgrading one? Or even looked inside? >>



ROFL, ever opened up a HP Pavillion? Gotta remove the power supply to install ram. Gotta remove a huge ass shell just to look @ its innards >>



LOL, I opened one up a couple days ago. Only thing I had to remove was that airflow diverter thing they installed on top of the heatsink. Thought it was really weird- that thing was nearly bigger than the mobo itself

 

[docmanhattan]

<< People keep comparing computer asssemblers to auto mechanics...

Do you honestly believe they are on the same level ?

Auto mechanics must have knowledge of many parts of many different
car models and many reasons for many problems. It's much more complicated than
some are making it out to be. Unlike most average computer assembler, mechanics
dont have the luxury of trial and error method. They most know
exactly what they're doing. Customers are waiting.
The only close comparison in the computer world would be hardware designers,
software coders, and driver writers.

Computer assembling, (I never said anything about repairing, although
it's just as simple as long as a part isn't physically broken) requires knowledge
of a couple dozen parts at most, with different brands being compatible (IBM Compatible PC).

If people really wanted to promote the "power-use" of computers, they would explain the simple process
to people that "don't know" how to build a PC and assure them that all they need to do is
read the manual. That its really not hard, and anyone can do it. >>

I think your over estimating the skill level required to be a mechanic and underestimating the skill level required to build, maintain, and troubleshoot PC's. I'm not saying that they're at the same level. But if I had the time and the ambition, I could be a mechanic. I bet most of us here could. We just choose a different hobby or vocation. As someone said early about building PC's, it's not rocket science. This is true, but I feel the same about auto repair. It's not rocket science either.

 

[Red Dawn]

<< It's not like it's really a skill... >>

It's a skill it just isn't, like they say, Rocket Science. There really isn't any money in just building them either. Sure Alienware Charges an Arm and a Leg (because they put in a good number of hours tweeking your system) but the average Schmuck like the Colonel and His wife Emma would rather pay as little as possible for a Compuke Presario loaded with a bunch of Happy Sh!t Software that they will never figure out how to use. Of course the real money is in charging the Colonel and His Wife Emma a minimum of $45.00 an hour to fix their system after they screw it up trying to use all that Happy Sh!t Software Compuke loaded up in their Presario.

 

[Cerebus451]

<< I think your over estimating the skill level required to be a mechanic and underestimating the skill level required to build, maintain, and troubleshoot PC's. I'm not saying that they're at the same level. But if I had the time and the ambition, I could be a mechanic. I bet most of us here could. We just choose a different hobby or vocation. As someone said early about building PC's, it's not rocket science. This is true, but I feel the same about auto repair. It's not rocket science either. >>


My sentiments exactly. I think what most people here in this thread fail to grasp is that they know how to build a computer and don't know how to build a car. So, to them, building a computer is a very simple process, while building a car is some weird kind of voodoo thing. Also, when comparing building a car to building a computer, you have to remove things like actually building an engine on the car (you don't actually assemble the video card, you just stick it into the slot). To really equate the two, you'd have to say that in order to build a car you have an engine, the body, the wheels and a few other items. All you really have to do is insert the engine into the engine compartment, stick the wheels on (they can only go one place, right?), tighten a few nuts, and away you go. Any monkey or person with IQ over 80 could do that.

There is a lot more to building a computer than sticking the parts where they go, just like there is more to building a car than sticking an engine into the engine compartment and putting on the wheels. Neither is something that takes a Mensa member to do, but if someone can take pride in putting a kit car together, then certainly someone could take pride in putting a computer together. The person that assembled the car may or may not be able to assemble the computer. The person that assembled the computer may or may not be able to assemble the car. However, both are justified in taking pride in what they accomplished because while neither required a PhD in rocket science, then did accomplish something most people could not do. Most people could do it given enough time to learn (I feel supremely confident that I could assemble a kit car given enough time to research what needed to be done), but not all (and if you think anyone can build a computer you've never met my mom).

 

[Linflas]

When I did a complete rebuild on a VW engine I have to say there was nothing more satisfying than when I had the engine back in the car and turned the key it started. No it was not rocket science but it was something I had never attempted before and a lot more work than it appeared to be from reading the manuals. I would admit that now I take it for granted that when I put together a PC it will work but such was not always the case. I still recall how nervous I was when I removed my working 486-33 chip from the socket and replaced it with a 486-66 in my original PC. It would be interesting to do a study to find out whether or not all of us that enjoy this sort of thing were the type of kids that by December 27 had dissassembled our toys to see how they worked.

 

[Freejack2]

Maybe it doesn't take rocket science to build a system but it's not the easiest either. A lot of people will spend a pretty penny on a premanufactured computer. It's ok, it does what it's advertised to do. Problem is a lot of times if you want to upgrade it...There is the garbage pail. Worthless.

With a self built system that doesn't happen. I've been using the same inwin full tower case since I got a Pentium 233 with an Asus ATX motherboard. Since then I've gone through multiple upgrades on this system. With a self built I can upgrade what I want without having to throw out my system. I can also specify what I want in it. Ever cracked open some of those prebuilt systems?
Most of them have garbage in them. Good luck finding an asus motherboard in a prebuilt system. Another nice thing about a self built system is it can be built from the ground up with overclocking in mind. In a prebuilt that you can't even change the voltage, good luck getting your Athlon XP 1700+ or P4 Northwood running 1.6a running at 2000+ or 2.2ghz on a prebuilt. It's quite easy on a self built to build a really nice system, add in the fact that you paid for $130 for your cpu and have it doing what a $400 cpu is doing you save quite a bit of money.

 

[farscape]

Its an accompishment, and give you a great feeling knowing that you just did something that over 99% of everyone out there can't or won't try to do. Its a learning experience, and learning can take you anywhere that you want to go. The "I figured it out" pride that one gets when you find a workaround, a solution, a new way of doing something.

I've rebuilt engines, tranies, put an almost new body on my old Bronco II and I got the same type of satisfactionout of that. A job well done - something to be proud of.

I'm a competative archer. When I started, I couldn't hit a target. Now I can drop 60 arrows in a 3" Bullseye at 20 yd. and 45 of those are in the center 1-1/2" X. I needed instruction and help - now I help others work toward the same. That took years to do but I get that same feeling out of that too.

Never stop trying to reach out and learn and grow. Have to keep those brain cell young and alive. And the best part is that you can then pass on that knowledge to the next ones that follow after you.

 

[vi edit]

I'm going to drudge up the mechanic comparison again. I'm sorry but the two CAN NOT be even remotely compared. Each and every car has 10's OF THOUSANDS of possible parts that can go wrong and that could possibly be needed to be replaced. Doing something as "simple" as replacing the timing belt on my car is a 6 hour process for a mechanic with 20 years of experience. That's just repairing 1 part! How many systems can you build in that time? 2, 3, 4, not counting OS loads? Like I said, this is just one stinking part. Imagine if I had to have the timing belt replaced, the alternator replaced, and some electrical problems diagnosed and fixed while they are at it. My car would take close to a day and half of constant labor to be repaired.

I think mechanics (at least good ones) have to have far more intimate knowledge of what they are working on than your average PC Tech/system builder.

As always, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and that is mine.

 

[Jfur]

<<

<<

<< Anyways, just wondered why people that have the "skill" to assembled a computer from parts feel like they are so special... >>


Because possessing this "skill" still leaves you ahead of 99% of the population, and being in the top 1% of anything is pretty cool. You think it is just a matter of plopping in components, but then again that's because you possess the "skill". Take someone that has never built a computer, sit them down with the components, and chances are they will fail. They don't know where the RAM goes, they could guess where the CPU goes, but do they know to lift the lever first, or that the CPU is keyed to only go in in one direction? How about installing the heatsink? There are plenty of people out there that don't know how to install a sound card. They don't know that it is supposed to go into one of the white slots. They don't know how to remove the slot cover, or screw down the card, or even how to install the drivers once the card is installed. >>


exactly, that's why best buys offers to 'install it' for 99% of the population. >>



yes, but it's not like the other "99%" could not do it -- it's not an elite skill. Maybe they've never thought about it, or it would be a waste of time for them. On average, about 25% of my students have built their own.

 

[deftron]

People saying that 99% of the population could not do it..


Yeah, right

I think its more like 99% of the population have not done it,
but could easily do it

 

[Viper GTS]

<< People saying that 99% of the population could not do it..


Yeah, right

I think its more like 99% of the population have not done it,
but could easily do it >>



99% of the population could do damn near anything, given proper training & experience.

Your point is?

Viper GTS

 

[deftron]

<<

<< People saying that 99% of the population could not do it..


Yeah, right

I think its more like 99% of the population have not done it,
but could easily do it >>



99% of the population could do damn near anything, given proper training & experience.

Your point is?

Viper GTS >>




It doesn't take "training and experience" to put a computer together.
All you have to do is follow the instructions.
Everything has already been layed out for you..

All the people that do buy pre-built computer somehow manage to
plug in their monitors and keyboards and mice.
You don't think they could figure out how to plug in a PCI card or stick of RAM?

 

[rh71]

Sweet Jesus, it's a FRIGGIN SKILL just to NOT cut yourself on the metal parts of the case (not even the cheap ones!). I have 4 scars on both my hands from the last 2 years of building. Before each of those 4 cuts, I told myself I will be very careful with the edges. The 5 1/4" bays are a bitch. Last time it was the floppy drive bay. WTF is wrong with me.

 

[Stark]

Q: "Anyways, just wondered why people that have the "skill" to assemble a computer from parts feel like they are so special..."

A: deftron is an ass

 

[Red Dawn]

<< You don't think they could figure out how to plug in a PCI card or stick of RAM? >>

Boy I'm glad to hear that's all it takes to build a system these days.

Over the past few years building systems has become easier..even guys like Deftron can build one and it will boot.

Now whether I would want him building a system for me or anyone I know is a whole diferent story.

 

[randomlinh]

deftron, have you ever been on the support end of help desk or tech support? a LOT of ppl are dumb. a LOT of ppl also are "afraid" still of components. They will just not do it and not willing to look into it.

anyway, for me, it's satisfaction, gauranteed Plus, building the custom plexi is extremely satisfying.

 

[Geekbabe]

It's also not simply a matter of slapping a few parts together.The amount of professional literatutre a good system builder must wade thru in order to make wise purchasing decsions is hefty, Not to mention constantly looking for driver updates, patches and fixes for various app's and staying up to date with whatever MS has been up to.


I'm getting ready to do my 1st low profile build, I'll probably read reviews and hunt for info for 3 business days before ordering.

 

[ndee]

I think it needs some knowledge to get the right components. If you buy PC-Chips stuff, etc., chances that the computer doesn't work properly are big.

That's just my opinion.

 

[optimistic]

<< its not the skill of building a computer that we have pride in. it is the skill of building a computer that out performs a system by 1.4 times and 300 dollars cheaper.

the skill is finding the good prices, and where and what to get. >>

 

[Red Dawn]

<< I'm getting ready to do my 1st low profile build, I'll probably read reviews and hunt for info for 3 business days before ordering. >>

Or for a nominal fee you could ask me and I'll tell you everything you need to know and where to get it and you'll save yourself 3 business days

 

[Cerebus451]

<< It doesn't take "training and experience" to put a computer together.
All you have to do is follow the instructions.
Everything has already been layed out for you..

All the people that do buy pre-built computer somehow manage to
plug in their monitors and keyboards and mice.
You don't think they could figure out how to plug in a PCI card or stick of RAM? >>


And yet, so many people lack the ability to read a manual. Again, work a help desk for a couple of weeks some time. Your perception of the abilities of the masses will change dramatically. Also, not everyone succeeds on getting the monitor, keyboard, and mouse plugged in. I've fielded those calls as well, and I don't even work a help desk. Also, last time I checked the internal parts of a computer did not have little icons next to the slots that told you what went where, whereas the back of a pre-built computer is clearly marked as to which plug goes into which hole (and don't tell me they get it by being able to look at the plug and figure it out since the PS/2 mouse and PS/2 keyboard have the same shape, so they have to be getting it from the pretty icons).



<< yes, but it's not like the other "99%" could not do it -- it's not an elite skill. Maybe they've never thought about it, or it would be a waste of time for them. On average, about 25% of my students have built their own. >>


99% of the world's population relates to about 5.94 billion people, leaving 60 million that have the skills necessary to assemble a computer. That is a very large number. Also, trying to extrapolate your students to the world body as a whole will not wash at all. Of the 5.94 billion people, there are probably at least 4-5 billion that still don't know what a computer is. Also, for students, the numbers will be skewed much higher, and as time progresses the 99% will drop dramatically. (even if you want to run the numbers for the U.S. only, the percentages that have never used a computer are still remarkably high, but if you are looking at a demographic of purely younger people, the numbers change drastically and can in no way be applied to the masses).

 

[Geekbabe]

<<

<< I'm getting ready to do my 1st low profile build, I'll probably read reviews and hunt for info for 3 business days before ordering. >>

Or for a nominal fee you could ask me and I'll tell you everything you need to know and where to get it and you'll save yourself 3 business days >>



LOL, how much and do I get a discount ?




btw, for those newbies who don't know Red builds a helluva computer,really expensive,but well worth it !