Coincidentally, I submitted a similar question to Ask Slashdot before I started but it wasn't accepted so I was on my own. I just built my own PC from scratch -- I ended up using Arstechnica to help me out. The cool thing about Arstechnica is that they provide pricing (using the PriceGrabber engine), user ratings, and 3 suggested systems broken down by component.
I ended up buying most of my components from different web sites using Arstechinca's recommendations as a guide. Looking back, I might have saved some money on shipping if I would have gone with the same company even with slightly higher prices per component.
One thing I would suggest from personal experience is to buy as much as you can locally, even if it's a little more expensive, just in case something goes wrong. I had a problem with a motherboard I bought from a Canadian company. 3 weeks and $30 in shipping later I finally have a mobo that works. Even though they took the motherboard back I was still reponsible for shipping.
Another disadvantage of DIY is that you typically don't get OEM discounts on software. If you'll just be running Linux then that isn't an issue, but Windows folks generally pay a little more for a license.
All in all, even with the problems I ran into, I would still build the next machine myself. The satisfaction of doing it yourself goes a long way.
Trust me, it's a bad game to play unless you are willing to accept that your employer will always be wondering if you are going to jumo[sic] ship again.
As long as you state that your sole reason for leaving is the pay, then as long as your salary is competitive you will have no reason to leave. Your employer will have no reason to wonder.
That's one reason I'm surprised Wal-Mart is not a bigger online player...
They aren't an online player because their stores are everywhere and people already shop there. Why buy a George Foreman grill from walmart.com when I can just pick one up when I'm buying toilet paper, napkins, and deodorant on my weekly visit?
Has anyone installed XP and Linux on the same machine?
Last time I tried to reinstall Windows 98 SE the install wouldn't run because Windows wasn't on my primary drive (Linux was). It was easy enough to switch drives and rerun the install, but it made me wonder if XP will be even more finicky than 98 SE.
When an application that you write can't use the same controls that other Microsoft apps use without installing Internet Explorer, I think that constitutes 'commingling'.
Slashdot Mirror
This blurb I think is just as significant:
Additionally, the policy also outlines a new Internet access program where all machines would be Linux-based and held under community franchise.
How about a banjo-playing rock star?
Coincidentally, I submitted a similar question to Ask Slashdot before I started but it wasn't accepted so I was on my own. I just built my own PC from scratch -- I ended up using Arstechnica to help me out. The cool thing about Arstechnica is that they provide pricing (using the PriceGrabber engine), user ratings, and 3 suggested systems broken down by component.
I ended up buying most of my components from different web sites using Arstechinca's recommendations as a guide. Looking back, I might have saved some money on shipping if I would have gone with the same company even with slightly higher prices per component.
One thing I would suggest from personal experience is to buy as much as you can locally, even if it's a little more expensive, just in case something goes wrong. I had a problem with a motherboard I bought from a Canadian company. 3 weeks and $30 in shipping later I finally have a mobo that works. Even though they took the motherboard back I was still reponsible for shipping.
Another disadvantage of DIY is that you typically don't get OEM discounts on software. If you'll just be running Linux then that isn't an issue, but Windows folks generally pay a little more for a license.
All in all, even with the problems I ran into, I would still build the next machine myself. The satisfaction of doing it yourself goes a long way.
Trust me, it's a bad game to play unless you are willing to accept that your employer will always be wondering if you are going to jumo[sic] ship again.
As long as you state that your sole reason for leaving is the pay, then as long as your salary is competitive you will have no reason to leave. Your employer will have no reason to wonder.
Mmmmmmm. Jam.
That's one reason I'm surprised Wal-Mart is not a bigger online player...
They aren't an online player because their stores are everywhere and people already shop there. Why buy a George Foreman grill from walmart.com when I can just pick one up when I'm buying toilet paper, napkins, and deodorant on my weekly visit?
I'd drop $3,000 on one if it made a sound like the flying cars on the Jetson's.
Has anyone installed XP and Linux on the same machine?
Last time I tried to reinstall Windows 98 SE the install wouldn't run because Windows wasn't on my primary drive (Linux was). It was easy enough to switch drives and rerun the install, but it made me wonder if XP will be even more finicky than 98 SE.
When an application that you write can't use the same controls that other Microsoft apps use without installing Internet Explorer, I think that constitutes 'commingling'.