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

D

deftron

Lifer

I don't understand why a lot of people have so much pride in "building" a computer. It's not like it's really a skill...
The parts are prefabricated and either snap on or bolt together. Basically, a kit. About the same as a paint by numbers
picture or a snap-tite model. Yes, I assembled my computer from individual parts, but I don't act like I'm elite for doing so.
The general population has this misconception that inside a computer case there is a complicated assembly...people that know I have
assembled my computer have assumed that I can fix a stereo or a television.. I would have no idea what I'm doing.
They don't understand that the point of a PC is easily interchangable parts. Not requiring soldering skills or electrical knowledge.
People that are "brave" enough to crack open the cases of their PC's propel this myth by acting like they're special by knowing what's going
on in there. I doubt that most of these same people could build a simple circuit. I know there are some aspects of "building" your
own computer that does require some skill, such as constructing a customized case or a custom watercooling setup, but most
"home-built" computers are nothing more than an assembled kit.. Computer companies like Dell and Gateway also promote this misconception by
claiming to give you a "custom-built" computer..Little do most people realize that the same parts in your computer are the same as a million others'.
Also places like Best Buy and CompUSA advertise on items like soundcards and videocards "LEt us install it for you".. Install it? LOL.. I guess you could call
it that. What a shame that they charge about $50 for 2 minutes work that anybody could do...
Anyways, just wondered why people that have the "skill" to assemble a computer from parts feel like they are so special...




 
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.
 
Ever spend 3 hours swapping cards trying to figure out an IRQ conflict? 🙂 Never have to worry about that with Dell's computers.
 
I have pride in "building" my own computer because then I know exactly what's in it. Would you like to get a computer from Compaq only to realize the hard drive is built by Cicero?
 


<< Ever spend 3 hours swapping cards trying to figure out an IRQ conflict? >>



Not in the past 5 years because the problem is all but extinct...
 


<< 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.
 


<<

<< Ever spend 3 hours swapping cards trying to figure out an IRQ conflict? >>



Not in the past 5 years because the problem is all but extinct... >>



So builders of yesteryear were even more skilled than the ones of today, right? No wonder this guy is goofing on people building computers now, you just plug everything in and away you go. Five years ago, hardware techs were pulling down big money, not anymore though.
 
The sysytems that go together in two minutes make up for the PITA that takes 2 days of trouble shooting. People don't pay me to just assemble a computer kit, they pay me to evaluate their current needs while anticipating their needs in future and building a system that is expandable,compatable and upgradable. They also pay me to guard the security of their data,which after all is the single most valuable item on any system.

People who buy custom built are paying for service and support, anybody can press the "enter" key, not everybody knows when to press it 🙂


As for "smartness" people who chose me to provide them with service and support are the brightest folks you'll find anywhere....now if I can just get some of em weaned from AOL 🙂
 
I totally agree with you deftron. In another thread the other day about buying a dell, someone said "if you can't build it yourself, you shouldn't be using it". It's ironic that the guy who wrote that probably has no clue about actually building a computer.

Plugging cards into slots that only fit the correct way is hardly challenging. You could assemble a modern PC with the instructions. "plug anything in wherever it fits right" and it would work correctly. Still, lots of the people on here are proud of the fact that they can snap the thing together.



<< 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. >>



Assembling a system yourself is hardly cheaper than buying one from somewhere like Dell. It used to be, but it's really not anymore, and the only reason your system outperforms the dell, is because Dells don't come with GF4 video cards.

The only real advantage to assembling it yourself is that you get to pick every part that goes into it.

Hell, even overclocking is simplified to the point of requiring no skill now. jsut select the speed you want in the BIOS.
 


<< So builders of yesteryear were even more skilled than the ones of today, right? >>



No one has disputed this. What are you trying to say?

Some people like building computers and are proud of their skills, just like people who work on their cars are proud of their skills. I don't know jack sh!t about repairing vehicles, so in my opinion they have a right to feel proud of what they can do.
 


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



Well then, why do people take so much pride in their cars??? 😕
rolleye.gif
 


<<

<< 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.
 


<< Ever spend 3 hours swapping cards trying to figure out an IRQ conflict? Never have to worry about that with Dell's computers >>



hahahaha. Dell computers are a POS. Have you ever tried upgrading one? Or even looked inside? I would like to smack that Dell kid in the head sometimes. If something goes wrong with it, get ready for a LONG wait to get it fixed 🙂
 


<<

<< So builders of yesteryear were even more skilled than the ones of today, right? >>



No one has disputed this. What are you trying to say?

Some people like building computers and are proud of their skills, just like people who work on their cars are proud of their skills. I don't know jack sh!t about repairing vehicles, so in my opinion they have a right to feel proud of what they can do. >>



Just getting to a similar point that baffled2 made, in a too-roundabout way.
 
I built my own computer and I don't have any pride in the accomplishment other than a job well done. It does take some technical skill to assemble a computer and install the OS and never having done anything like that before it was fun when I got it all together, installed the OS and drivers and cranked it up for the first time.

I also very much like the fact that I built it to my exact specifications rather than settling for some pre-built conglomeration of inferior parts. Here in Mexico you're pretty much limited to HP or Compaq off the shelf.
 
The thing about building a computer is that it is EXACTLY how you want it and you know what the quality of the components are. When someone pops the question of "can your system take..." usually the answer is readily available because you yourself picked the components. In my system's case, how easy do you think it'd be to find someone to make you a system w/ 3 monitors, (hardware) MPEG2 capture/TV tuner card, mixed IDE and SCSI, and still have it be affordable? Good luck. Most OEMs won't touch that. They'll dismiss that as "we can't do that".

Another method of building a systems is "the most for the least". I have a total of $10 out of pocket in Ghim ($6 for an antenna for a tuner card that didn't work out, $2 for screws, $2 for metal straps). Ask anyone to build you a system for $10 and they'll dig out a C-64 that's in thier closet.
 
Putting the parts together is the easy part. Getting them to all talk to the OS and other software is the part that can be difficult.

amish
 


<< They don't know where the RAM goes, >>


It only fits one place. ANy reasonably intelligent person could figure it out, especially considering the motherboard comes with a manual.



<< 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? >>


Gee, guess where the CPU goes, that'd be tough. "I got a big sqaure thing with lots of pins, I wonder if it goes in the big square thing with lots of holes..." As far as lifting the lever - see motherboard manual again. And with it being keyed to only go in one way - are you telling me that you couldn't figure out which way to plug in an appliance (one with a 3 prong plug) beucase the third prong confused you too much? Keying it to fit only one way makes it EASIER to install, not harder.



<< How about installing the heatsink? >>


Retail CPUs still come with heatsinks.



<< 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. >>



Sound cards again come with manuals it's simple enough to install that all the intructions usually don't take up more than 2 pages in the manual. Anyone who can read and operate a screwdriver can do it.
 
Deftron does make a good argument. I've been building for over 7 years now and I wouldn't say that I have an excessive amount of pride in my builds now. I'm proud that I took the time at one point in my life to learn how, ah I think that's about it though? I still remember my first homebuilt, yeah I guess I was proud about that - you should take pride in it....after all it's an accomplishment. I agree though with many people here that it's not rocket science though, we are not so much building rather than assembling parts and making them work together.

I still feel uncomfortable sometimes when friends/people upon realizing that I build, oops I mean assemble my own systems give me that "OMG, you must be a rocket-scientist" look.

-VTrider

(I can also program my VCR too!) 😉
 
notfred:

first of all get the stick outta yer ass, dude. second i can promise you that if you polled a buncha random people about on the street most if not all would NOT know how, and would rather take their computer to someone who does rather than try to figure it out themself. and a handful may have tried but most likely broke something. You ever sit for a technical support job? If you have, then I don't need to explain anything else.. if not, then you'd be surprised what people "really" know.

Just like an auto mechanic. Just like any other type of repairmen. Sure, a manual comes with my Air Conditioner, but you don't see me trying to fix it when it breaks.

EDIT: oh, and having so much pride in not caring about pride is about as worse as you claim the people who feel good about having the ability are.
 
Well, lots of things:

1. I know exactly what I've got in there.
2. The fact that my computer is unique and in no way similar to any other computer.
3. Knowing that everything has been put together correctly, tightly, and securely.
4. Knowing that there are no proprietary parts that will be hell to upgrade or replace.
5. Not having to pay extra for tons of preloaded shovelware crap I will never use (like Windows, MS Office, their branded IE, spyware, crappy image editing tools, and whatever else they decide I need)
6. Confusing the hell out of people when they ask "what kind of computer do you have?" 😀
7. Being able to use an AMD processor.
 


<< Retail CPUs still come with heatsinks. >>



Yeah, but they're not installed like on the old slot1/A's.




<< << They don't know where the RAM goes, >>

It only fits one place. ANy reasonably intelligent person could figure it out, especially considering the motherboard comes with a manual. >>



Yeah, but even the Einsteins around here that supposedly know what they are doing have managed to put it in backwards and fry the whole thing.
rolleye.gif


amish
 
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