SlimC

The first time I did this was in 1998, and again in 2004. I had a loaner computer in between so I didn’t need to assemble one between.

Cons:

- It can seem daunting, but if you apply yourself nearly anyone can do it.
- You have to be sure everything is compatible. I.E. You can’t buy an Opteron or Athlon 64 and use FB-DIMMs. No AGP motherboard with PCI-E video card. No EATX motherboard with ATX case, though ATX motherboard with an EATX case works.
- You have to be careful not to static-fry the parts or bend the CPU pins.
- Anti-virus and firewall software, a defacto requirement, won’t come with the PC. You’d need to get your own software (though you can download it and pay online).

Pros:

- You learn a lot if it’s your first time. Hopefully you don’t break the CPU, often the second most expensive part (RAM is the most expensive).
- You have a lot of flexibility, even within the confines of making sure everything is compatible. Want 10K RPM or 15K RPM hard drives? No problem. Want a special computer case, or even one that doesn’t look “weird?” No problem.
- The O.S. will be “vanilla,” meaning no value-added junk such a trial software or programs you really don’t need. If it’s Windows, you get exactly what Microsoft sells, instead of HP’s or Dell’s modified version. You also have the option of buying OEM if you can do without support from Microsoft.
- You learn about hardware configuration that optimizes performance, such as “don’t mix IDE optical drives with hard drive in the same channel” and “use even numbers of DIMMs for dual-channel, which is twice as fast.”
- It’s easier to get rare combinations. Want dual Opterons? No problem. Want 12 hard drives? No problem. SCSI/SAS (rare except in servers, but needed for 15K RPM)? No problem.
- Sometimes it’s also possible to recycle parts for another PC. Like how things are set-up and the case, but want something bigger, better, and faster? Keep the hard drive, DVD, and Case, and replace the guts.
- If you order online and have the cash, you can get any combination that’s available somewhere. For example, I wanted an Opteron, but no local place sold it. It also needs Registered RAM, which no local place sells. But I ordered online and got the parts.

Until I get the U-Haul trailer and move! Woohoo!

It’s only a matter of time, something that takes no effort, will, or anything. Of course, unlike many of you who have this as a “goal,” I’m on the other side of the fence. I turned 18 a while ago.

But, I can say this. It’s hard to picture how you did anything before, when you were a minor. Anyway, let’s list the pros and cons, even though there’s no choice about it. Short of a serious accident, it’s inevitable.

Pros:

- You can get a credit card, and enter into other legally binding agreements.
- You can get a driver’s license in European countries.
- You can legally purchase alcohol in European countries, most of Canada, and Mexico.
- If you smoke, you can legally purchase tobacco products in the U.S., and not have to resort to other ways and means.
- You can legally purchase pornographic materials.
- You can now legally work in jobs you previously couldn’t due to child labor laws.

Cons:

- You can get a credit card, which if used improperly can cause trouble.
- Legally binding agreements, same thing.
- If you’re American, you still can’t legally purchase alcohol. This is the one thing where the U.S. is unique. No other country has such a high drinking age.
- Older adults are likely to think of you as a little kid. The law sees a distinction between 17 yrs, 364 days and 18 yrs., but most people don’t.
- You aren’t covered by child labor, so your employer can make you do things you were previously banned from doing.
- If you’re rebellious or otherwise bad, you can get in more trouble with the police.
- You have bills for the first time.
- If your parents are evil, they can kick you out. Thankfully, that attitude is rare.
- No more cheaper “child rates” for stuff.
- No more student discounts, unless you go to college.

So while being older does help you get respect, you also have to be an upstanding citizen. Also, a lot of kids seem to think of the advantages without ever realizing the downsides.

I’m over 21, and while it helps not being constrained by age limits, there are additional responsibilities that cannot be shunned. Even if you’re a rich boy or a Daddy’s girl, there are still new responsibilities.

Being my age, I’m at the point where no one wants to get any older. Eventually, you’ll all think the same way.