PC vs. ????

[Dave_H]

If you want to hear something hard to believe, I actually use this thing for it's original intended purpose. (work)
No kidding, I really do. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
Dave

[SysOpt]

Most of the people here are IT Pros by day, enthusiasts by night, so we work. I think you'll find that the PC makes a much more effective tool for such activities (web, email, MS Office, Photoshop, telnet/ssh server access, etc.) than a playstation (since, uh, you can't do that stuff on one), while doubling to give us an incredibly powerful gaming platform as well that is in my opinion, leaps and bounds above "playstation" type consoles.

Console gaming systems offer arcade-ish games that, IMO, look crappy. I want immersive games that simulate the real world and immerse us in the experience, and that look superb too.

[This message has been edited by SysOpt (edited 03-12-2000).]

[RobRich]

With a console I don't get the thrill of formatting and reinstalling the OS every week because of Win9x. But with the release of PlayStation2 and MS's own X-Box, I guess I can start experiencing everything rich said, since one runs WinCE and the other a derived Win9x kernel. Also, I received an email awhile back about a group that is writing a translation layer for the PS2, so it can run x86 software. Looks like it might crack RC5, yet!! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Computers offer a challenge to it's users. Whether it's installing a new OS, like Linux or BSD, or overclocking the cpu, or lowering our ping times (so I can get some serious frags in Quake!), it presents a goal and a project. I can't hardly turn on my PC without doing something to it. It might be changing settings, recompiling my own Linux kernel, or even rewiring hardware.

I can't really do any of that with a console. When's the last time you heard someone talk about overclocking their n64, or building their own OS for a PS? Probably never, because their pretty juch static. You buy it, you use it, nothing more. I mean the games are cool at first, but they slowly out pace the hardware, and then it's time for a new console. With a PC, one can upgrade, or even tune the system to keep up with the changing times. I mean I've setup system that are several years old, but because I can work with them, I can usually gain the required results. For example, I set up an old 486 to run Linux Slackware the other day. Through spending $10 on parts (cpu, new hs/fan, some wiring), I turned on old 486 DX-2 66mhz system into a 586 DX5-133. Then I installed Linux with X-Windows and tweaked it. Now from an old $50 computer, my friend now has a viable system that he can surf the web, edit documents, listen to music, and even play a few games on.

On the other side of the issue, what am I supposed to so with that old original Nintendo that's setting in my closet? I can't upgrade it, edit it, rewire it, or even really use it for anything viable. It's lost it worth, and now just collects dust. At least with a computer I have a chance at a cool project, with a console I have nothing to do. I even know where my old 8086-1 computer from 1988 is (now owned by 12-15 people), and it's still in use. Right now, I would say it's owner is sending email, writing a paper, or even surfing the net (web pages in CGA graphics rule!! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif ).

In conclusion, computers offer the user a project and challenge. I beleive most of the people here will agree with me on that. You'll find that most of us are actually normal people, though. The computer world is filled with the "geek" and the "nerd" crowd, but the largest base of users are no longer labeled with this stigma's. This web site's forums http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif caters to 6000+ people, and you can find a large variety in those people. There are doctors, lawyers, government employeees, military personal, mechanics, engineers, and students. We (the computing society), are now an accepted portion of the world. I hate when I see a movie or something on TV that tries to stereotype a "hardcore" computer user. I.E., "Hackers" the movie was utter waste of the film it was produced on. It didn't offer any really correct incite into the computer world, not was it portral of supposed l33t people anywhere correct. There is that small percentage (<1%) that may conform to these warped representations, but by far their completely off. I attend college, hold down a decent job, and have an aactive social life. By looking at me, I'm about as far away from the old geek/nerd persona as you can get.

I strayed completely off topic in a sense, but I hope to provide a view into the life a the majority of computers enthusiasts. We're here, and now for the most part accepted throughout the world. Some people do take it to a point of addiction, but most don't. While I would probably suffer some serious withdraw syptoms, I can (and shortly have) lived without a computer before.

Just my $0.02, which that with my thoughts still give you $0.02!! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Robert Richmond

[This message has been edited by RobRich (edited 03-12-2000).]

[SysOpt]

Actually, this web site caters to 1,000,000+ people. But there are 7,000 people who have registered with the message board to interact http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif.

[RobRich]

Sorry, should have said forums! At any rate you get my point, right?

[SysOpt]

Indeed! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif Well said.

[sparki]

This is Sparki's bird and as the other half of a computer addict I will never understand why you people spend so much time on your PC rather than on something like a playstation or N64?

So whats the facination guys???

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[richamies]

PC's are soooooooooo much better! You can't get a BSOD on a Playstation, the mouse wont freeze, and you can't crunch RC5 blocks either.

Oh, and a N64 won't let you send E-mail either http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[alpha]

I love PCs because:
You can't tweak a playstation
You can't install obscure os' on a playstation

I am a student by day, but when nightfalls...
I'm still a student!!!! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif