New Computer

Heath · Dec 12, 2003

I went to the Skycasters web site and took a look around. Is Skycasters just a reseller of DirecWay? That's what it looked like to me.
I'm having Directway installed Monday, so I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing. I have read that the new Directway equipment is exponentially better than the older equipment. I've also read a lot of reviews from Direcway subscribers that download a LOT of material and have never run into an FAP problem.
I'm hoping it works well. I'll definitely let you know!

Bob_Skurka · Dec 12, 2003

Skycasters looks a lot like Directway but they are different. The dish in the yard looks to be identical except for the logo on it. And Skycasters is available for Apple computers, Directway is (or at least was) not available for Apple users. With Skycasters you buy the hardware and you buy your service speed based on the bandwidth you need. The skycaster system is designed for commercial users not for typical home users, I justify it via a home office, but the costs are pretty high. I had a PM about it from OkeeDon and thought I remembered the hardware cost at $2000, well I checked, I was right, the upfront cost was 2 Grand when I got mine, the monthly service is something in the range of $130/month. I will honestly say I never went back to the website to see if prices are up or down since I bought it. But the installer who put my system in said I was the first residential user with a 4020 unit that Skycasters was aware of in a 3 or 4 state area. . . I guess that means I'm an early adopter. But I've had the system for about a year and I have no complaints. In fact I like it.

Someday we might get DSL, I seriously doubt if cable will ever make it out to where I live because we are pretty rural with the biggest city nearby being only 6-or-7000 people and that is about 5 miles away. DSL would be better, but for me Skycasters was my only option and it turned out to be a good choice.

OkeeDon · Dec 12, 2003

Here's a link to the best explanation of FAP tht I've found: FAP Page . And, a link to FAPMON, a FAP monitoring program: FAPMON . You have to become a member of the site to download it for free.

I don't have a satellite system, yet, so I haven't tried the FAPMON program, but it sounds good and the price is right.

dieselsmoke1 · Dec 12, 2003

Box PC's from Dell, Gateway, etc. are a good choice for the average user. I mention these 2 specifically because they tend to not be as proprietary in design as some others. I have no use for manufacturers that abandon industry standard form factors and connectors simply for the purpose of securing a captive audience for future overpriced repair parts.

For the enthusiasts, there's one answer. Custom build it from scratch starting with selecting the correct motherboard for the primary task and build on that. Motherboards are the blood and guts of every PC and their performance varies substantially. You'd be surprised how little improvement is gained by putting a scorching CPU on a cheesey motherboard.

JASTN70D · Dec 12, 2003

Could not have said it better myself. ! And I have tried. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

MikePA · Dec 12, 2003

Custom build it from scratch starting with selecting the correct motherboard for the primary task and build on that. 
Before I bought my last PC, from Gateway, I priced out the parts from various suppliers to build it myself. I selected similar parts to what Gateway used and I wasn't far into the comparison before I exceeded the cost of the Gateway.

dieselsmoke1 · Dec 12, 2003

Hey Mike....never said it was cheaper /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MikePA · Dec 12, 2003

Hey Mike....never said it was cheaper 
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

dieselsmoke1 · Dec 12, 2003

( Hey Mike....never said it was cheaper /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

While we're on pricing, I'll toss this reference out for folks unfamiliar to try. For many years one of my main sources for computer and electronic stuff has been Pricewatch . These folks run a pretty tight ship. I've purchased many things from many vendors, always got exactly as advertised.

Mark4510 · Dec 12, 2003

I think Billy P did the right thing when he bought his PC from a large manufacture. In my misguided youth I thought I needed to work in the corporate world so I spent many, many years working for Apple and then Intel in many rolls including sales.

Having said that, I would respectfully offer my opinion to my new friends here. I am not convinced that any person can offer the level of performance, usability, durability and service building one offs that a large box manufacture can. The economies of scale are not there. If I were very skilled at building my own box, if I felt I needed something extrodinarily different, knew how to trouble shoot everything and was willing to accept lower quality parts I might consider it. Other wise I would not even consider it.

I am sure that there will be many sincere voices of disagreement to my comments above, and that it is fine. For 99.9% of the population I think a DELL, HP, Gateway, etc represents the best solution.

A early Merry Christmas to all!

BobReeves · Dec 12, 2003

I am no longer in the computer business but had my own shop for 5 years after being rifed out of corp America. I built a quality box with top of the line components and charged accordingly. I also provided the best service possible, my personal cell phone number.

The only reason I am still not in the computer business is because I also started another business at the same time and running two growing business was killing me.

Anyway, don't discount the local computer guy there are still a few of us that believe in customer satisfaction. Just be prepared to pay for it. If price is your main consideration buy a Dell you will get a good computer but you won't get the owners or even the service managers personal cell phone number.

dieselsmoke1 · Dec 12, 2003

( For 99.9% of the population I think a DELL, HP, Gateway, etc represents the best solution. )

The best solution for the vast majority, absolutely right. Although I kinda question the "99.9%".

Regarding quality parts, the big guys routinely use motherboards manufactured by Biostar, MSI and many others. I like Dells and Gateways. We own LOTS of them. They make a very good "average" computer.

For my personal PC, I'll start with an ASUS board.

JASTN70D · Dec 12, 2003

The truth be told the "homemade PC" makes up over 60% of the market its even higher on servers. These usually go to business who have a much higher need for quick on site service. Also the parts that Dell Gateway and the like use are available to anyone and everyone. And if you look hard enough you can get the price to match them. If you look deep in to the Business you will see that the parts for the big boxes are made by companies like Intel and Super micro. And the OEM specks are the same.

Dewave · Dec 12, 2003

I agree, build your own. It amazes me what TBN'ers can build, pole barns, metal barns, welders, saw mills, wagons, log splitters, forks, personel cage, garages, ponds... etc. Why should a PC be any different. Trust me it's easier then one would think.

One thing I highly recommend is a quality monitor, be it LCD or CRT. Once you buy the PC you will never look at anything on it other the on/off button, but the monitor will have your constant attention, so you may as well have something pleasing to the eye. Also the monitor will most likely out last the PC so one should invest in a quality one.

I have 4 PC's, 2 are water cooled, one by Koolance, the other by a ford econoline heater core, a submersible water pump and lots of tubing. An AMD 2500XP overclocked to 3200XP specs and a 5800fx video card overclocked to 5950fx specs. Its just a hobby thats makes me some side money by either building for others or trouble shooting their systems.

EPOX motherboards are the most stable, ASUS would be my second choice. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Dew

dieselsmoke1 · Dec 12, 2003

COOL!!!!!!!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I've just water cooled my first. Don't you just love the sound of "dead silence"!

I'd love to see the plumbing on the Econoline heater core /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif That AMD would be in a sweat real quick without it.

I'm ASUS then EPOX, but that's a good race.

Dewave · Dec 12, 2003

The ford econoline actually out cools the Koolance from Koolance.com. It was a project me and my son could work on. We power sanded all the paint off the case to give it a shiny metal industrial look, riveted on plexiglass on the side, the top and even on the power supply case. We also put in internal lights within case with hyper color round cables and a small black light. Also the tubing is clear with neon green fluid running thru it. Its a colorful sight to say the least.

I also run a 32 man Medal of Honor server called TOOL Clan. I do this in hopes of providing the kids with some form of entertainment and hopefully out of trouble. And plus the fact I love that game. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Dewave /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

BillyP · Dec 12, 2003

This has nothing to do with water cooling but can you copy a DVD (like a movie rental) without having some kind of special program?

Also, do DVDs come in certain formats for certain things?

Dewave · Dec 13, 2003

In the old days (last year, lol) you could copy DVD's the easy way but nowadays it takes special software. You can still do it with a regular CD-RW with the right software. Do a google search on DVD copy for recent software,,, and yes DVD is standardized, at least in US and has specific standards, codes and formats. It's the codes within the format that makes it copy protected. The fun used to be breaking the code to write a hack/crack rendering the DVD unprotected... but I'd never do that. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

BobReeves · Dec 13, 2003

Go here for all you want to know about copying DVD's

http://www.afterdawn.com/index-book.cfm

BIGUN · Dec 13, 2003

I agree building your own is the way to go if a person likes that sort of thing. I have been building quite a few for others and myself over the past several years. One thing that I would suggest for the first time builder is to have an experienced friend that can help you out if the machine doesn’t work after it is built. The thing about computers is you can do everything 99% right and that one detail you got wrong can leave you with an inoperative computer.

I have been using AMD processors exclusively, not that I think they are any better than Intel, but they are less expensive, and I want to support the only real competition to Intel. It will be a sad day for computer enthusiast if Intel has a monopoly and can set prices as they please for their processors. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

If you have to buy everything new including the OS and software you won’t save money over buying “ready made” but I still prefer it.