Generally, the components that tend to carry close to zero cost after rebates are:
Motherboards Hard Drives Optical Drives Sound Cards Keyboards, Mice, etc. Flash Memory Devices
However, the following components are rarely ever offered at substantial discounts:
Power Supply CPU RAM Case and of course, Windows.
I see no reason why everything could not be had for around $100, with a free OS, after all the rebates have settled. All you have to do is keep good records and be willing to check up on those who dont cough up the dough.
IMO, as good as it sounds, it really is a hassle to track down these things over time, unless you actually enjoy that type of thing. I personally see little point in it as pre-mades are actually coming out even cheaper than self-builts nowadays. They may not be at the $100 mark yet, but the components included end up far cheaper than if they were to be bought as parts, even with rebates.
I'm no expert on things like this, but if i ran this company, my policy would resemble something with alittle more common sense:
All copies that are distributed prior to the release date would always have a unique identification number imbedded within the image itself. Each id specifically represents the possessor of each unique copy. Furthermore, that fact will be made -very clear- to those who are approved possessors. If your number ends up on the pirated copy, we send goons to your house who will offer you a choice of three items: an eyepatch, a hook, or a pegleg.
First off, great article. Secondly, I for one will miss his show.
I can only hope it will be succeeded by someone who has the guts to take on Big Business and general nonaccountability like he does. He really went after everyone, regardless of political affiliation. I'm not so sure his co-host David Brancaccio can handle things without him.
Unfortunately, PBS is beginning to show nothing but signs of what Bill himself has coined "INFOTAINMENT". Tucker Carlson anyone? Bah..
I would say that the system is broken to the extent that it cannot be adequately 'fixed' until it is 'officially' in a state of post-collapse. I believe then, and only then, would people actually do something realistic about correcting it. Alot of caring people keep suggesting that we get our act together to turn this around now or soon, but how realistic is that really? I dont have the exact figures, but i'm sure everyone here can agree that if we were to look at our society in in terms of 'compentency' and 'discipline' as assets, the percentage we actually -have- (and even potentially have) would not even come close to the percentage we would -need- in order to pull off a sustainable recovery, regardless of timeframe. I'm not one to prefer cynicism, but to assume some sort of 'mass-scale instantaneous disciplinary miracle' is feasible within present conditions, to me is completely outright wishful thinking.
I propose nothing though. If anything I personally would prefer to see the most direct path towards the economic inevitability of our unsustainable habits. The sooner we can get a realistic opportunity to make significant corrections is what i would consider the most effective plan given our current situation. So i figure what better way to 'help' than to simply stay 'out of it' by toleratating our incompetent leaders. Nobodys going to listen to any of them anyway when the time comes where the public mind finally decides to stop the blame game and 'grow up'.
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Generally, the components that tend to carry close to zero cost after rebates are:
Motherboards
Hard Drives
Optical Drives
Sound Cards
Keyboards, Mice, etc.
Flash Memory Devices
However, the following components are rarely ever offered at substantial discounts:
Power Supply
CPU
RAM
Case
and of course, Windows.
I see no reason why everything could not be had for around $100, with a free OS, after all the rebates have settled. All you have to do is keep good records and be willing to check up on those who dont cough up the dough.
IMO, as good as it sounds, it really is a hassle to track down these things over time, unless you actually enjoy that type of thing. I personally see little point in it as pre-mades are actually coming out even cheaper than self-builts nowadays. They may not be at the $100 mark yet, but the components included end up far cheaper than if they were to be bought as parts, even with rebates.
I'm no expert on things like this, but if i ran this company, my policy would resemble something with alittle more common sense:
All copies that are distributed prior to the release date would always have a unique identification number imbedded within the image itself. Each id specifically represents the possessor of each unique copy. Furthermore, that fact will be made -very clear- to those who are approved possessors. If your number ends up on the pirated copy, we send goons to your house who will offer you a choice of three items: an eyepatch, a hook, or a pegleg.
Everyone should know by now that the more expensive your sunglasses are, the sooner it is you'll lose them or break them.
This makes me laugh. Genius probably thought that there piece of paper on the wall means hes 'educated'.
Seriously though, that kind of management shouldnt even be allowed to run a lemonade stand.
First off, great article. Secondly, I for one will miss his show.
I can only hope it will be succeeded by someone who has the guts to take on Big Business and general nonaccountability like he does. He really went after everyone, regardless of political affiliation. I'm not so sure his co-host David Brancaccio can handle things without him.
Unfortunately, PBS is beginning to show nothing but signs of what Bill himself has coined "INFOTAINMENT". Tucker Carlson anyone? Bah..
I would say that the system is broken to the extent that it cannot be adequately 'fixed' until it is 'officially' in a state of post-collapse. I believe then, and only then, would people actually do something realistic about correcting it. Alot of caring people keep suggesting that we get our act together to turn this around now or soon, but how realistic is that really? I dont have the exact figures, but i'm sure everyone here can agree that if we were to look at our society in in terms of 'compentency' and 'discipline' as assets, the percentage we actually -have- (and even potentially have) would not even come close to the percentage we would -need- in order to pull off a sustainable recovery, regardless of timeframe. I'm not one to prefer cynicism, but to assume some sort of 'mass-scale instantaneous disciplinary miracle' is feasible within present conditions, to me is completely outright wishful thinking.
I propose nothing though. If anything I personally would prefer to see the most direct path towards the economic inevitability of our unsustainable habits. The sooner we can get a realistic opportunity to make significant corrections is what i would consider the most effective plan given our current situation. So i figure what better way to 'help' than to simply stay 'out of it' by toleratating our incompetent leaders. Nobodys going to listen to any of them anyway when the time comes where the public mind finally decides to stop the blame game and 'grow up'.