By Laura Katz
We arrived at 8:30 a.m. ready to help at the Build and Buy. My husband and I were excited. We had our computers put together by the people at Omni-Tec two weeks before the Build and Buy because we had taken my computer and its many extra pieces to make two new computers. (I am a computer junkie and had upgraded my original computer so often that we could make two new computers with just the addition of one motherboard, a keyboard and a mouse, plus a case of course)! This Build and Buy Saturday was to make new computers only.
The first thing that impressed me was the efficiency. One room was designated for pick-up. Everything that had been ordered was labeled with the person’s name on it. In the main room tables were set up around the room and the helpers were abundant. No one had to do anything by him or herself. Other people were there to walk around the room and give instructions. The first instructions given were to check all the serial numbers and to make sure the people who were installing the equipment were grounded with special wristbands.
One person walked around the room with a digital camera and a few minutes later pictures were on the front screen so everyone could see what to do. Gil Boyd (our SIG leader) was constantly checking to see if all was well. By 1:30 p.m. many people were finishing up. On May 30, 1998 fifteen brand new computers were put together. I know there were more than fifteen happy people at the end of that day. Did I save money by doing this? No, not really. Well then, why did I do this? First of all would a chain store take my old computer apart and make two computers out of them? No, they would tell me I couldn’t reuse my old parts and that I need new equipment. Second, would a mail order place let me put in the component brands I want? Only if they carried them. I am using a local company, using the brands I want and I now know how to put together my own computer. Why did the other people do this? To save money? No, not really. For the pride of ownership, to say I did this myself? I think so. To learn how to do this – yes, I’d say it was worth it. Do I think I could put together a computer now myself? – definitely.
If this article made your mouth water at the thought of a new computer put together by yourself, make a date on your calendar for the next fifth Saturday – October 31, 1998. Be there or be square!
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