I'm ordering a puter built to specs to allow Bob Harper to see what he's doing, build letterstyles, scan photos, and write / print his book, etc. I would like to see him make CD's available and make some decent money. If you haven't read his tales in the Snapper book, you haven't heard it.
It would be so nice to pat him on the back for all he has learned and is more than willing to contribute to our knowledge of the craft. We just gotta hook this bad boy up!
What's the best set-up to build?
Need advice on the following, with a $1,000 budget:
Large Monitor
Scanner
Printer
Hard drive, of course
Graphics card
Hoping to set him up with a pen tablet mouse combo, just incase the mouse dudn't suit him none <grin>
I haven't done this for myself since pentium 2's fell into the sweet spot. I'm not sure of what upgrades to insist upon but do think corel 7 would be best since it seems to be rather reliable. Help me here. I would like to deliver it next week. So if you have any wonderful advice, now would be the time.
Thank you, Linda Screaming Eagle (If Bob asks, LOL)
PS - I'm asking you guys since you know more about graphics capability from the business end of the deal...not everybody does signs, hehehe.
[ May 29, 2002, 07:54 PM: Message edited by: Linda Silver Eagle ]
Posted by Terry Colley (Member # 1245) on :
hi Linda Get the best you can for the money,I would also get windows 98 on it as some of our graphics software does not like the new xp system cheers Terry
Posted by Linda Silver Eagle (Member # 274) on :
Well, I called Dell and got a quote on a puter. Anybody interested in seeing the quote/list of items, let me know I can email it to you. It seems to be an impressive lot!
Including the printer, scanner etc., it's going to run about $1,490.53. It may change tomorrow by a hundred or so dollars because of the sales they have each day changing and what not. But if they deliver and set it all up, then if Bob has a problem, all he has to do is call and his problems should be ironed out.
Posted by John Thompson (Member # 2750) on :
Linda you are close to Atlanta or in Atlant aren't you, have you checked out Vision computers on Jimmy Carter. Go to there website www.visioncomputers.com and you can put together a system online and then go down and get it. I wish i had gone there last time but we didn't have the cash and our system was down so we had to go to CompUSA and use our credit card on a HP. I have heard nothing but good stuff about them and they will load 98 or XP and have really competitive prices and a really good warrenty.
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Bob Harper is in his 80's, and hasn't good eyesite. There is no way this man needs a $1400 computer system just to view the internet and possibly type out his memoirs.
Granted, he is one of the great signpainters of his day, but his needs these days are getting on the internet not using sign programs and things where his learning curve will be a longer time then his lifeline.
Get real Linda, and look at something practical and a little more into the reality mode
BTW, I love Bob Harper
Posted by Linda Silver Eagle (Member # 274) on :
well Joey, that's why I was posting...to get advice.
I agree, I think it's a bit much for what Bob needs, and am working with someone who can help me tweak this "order" down to an affordable and practical deal.
But thanks for all the love! Posted by Bob Bond (Member # 26) on :
Hi Linda, I just left a message on your cell #. I don't think we are that far away from Bob Harper. There is a business in Kansas City called The Surplus Exchange. This is where business's can donate used furniture and equipment and receive a tax ded. write-off since non-profits have first choice for the first 2 weeks. Then anyone can purchase stuff there. They have refurbished cpu's, printers and all kinds of stuff that changes daily and on this stuff they offer a 90 day warranty. About 4 months ago I purchased a 19" Sony Trinitron monitor for $200 and it works great. If you are interested you can call me at 816-554-1800. -Jennifer
Also, I just remembered we have a large Wacom tablet with a pen and cordless mouse here that is not being used and if you are interested in this we will just give it to Bob. Only thing is it will probably need an updated driver but that shouldn't be too much of a problem I don't think.
[ May 30, 2002, 12:25 PM: Message edited by: Bob Bond ]
Posted by AdrienneMorgan (Member # 1046) on :
Linda, I agree with Joey here...Bob's eyesight is limited and he only needs email capabilities and a word processing program.
A printer may come in handy.
But I would keep it real simple as I don't think Bob will have an interest in doing computer graphics.
It's great that you are taking the time to do this for him!!
Now I gotta get that stuff in the mail to him I promised weeks ago!!!
A:)
Posted by Jeff Bailey (Member # 1975) on :
( I know I'm kind of hung up on macs lately, but think about this) Bob might really benifit from the very easy and simple all in one i-mac. There are plenty of 400+ mhz g3 systems on Ebay. They are plenty powerful and can be found for under 500 hundred dollars all day. Easy to connect to the internet, printers, usually come with a simple word processor, are very stable, and if he eer wanted more, there are plenty of applications available in Mac format. Also..... the worry of virus infection is greatly reduced. Plug in the keyboard, mouse, phone line, and power cord and he's in business.
Food for thought.
[ May 30, 2002, 02:06 PM: Message edited by: Jeff Bailey ]
Posted by Frank Weidman (Member # 3004) on :
you might want to check out www.tigerdirect.com very good sight to build a system for a budget and also check out your local intenet providers in your city/town some usally have used /rebuilt computers for any where from $100 to $400
hope that lil info can help
Posted by Linda Silver Eagle (Member # 274) on :
Thank you everyone for your replies! I'm going to take my computer to Bob's and see what he can do with a large monitor. We'll see what happens...LOL.
Jennifer, I can't wait to meet you and Bob either! Sorry, I was off the computer for the past few days. I had to take it elsewhere for tweaking LOL.
Jennifer, thank you and Bob (Bond) for all that you've offered to help out Bob (Harper). After all you've been through, I found it amazing you'd step up to the plate like that! I talked to Bob (Harper) last night and I thought he was gonna cry! You and Bob (Bond) are angels!
I'll contact you when I get to Bob's (Harper's)
(Man! This is gonna be one confusing trip! LOL)
Posted by Jackie B (Member # 186) on :
My suggestion - stay with a smaller local company that can build exactly what you want - and who you can call later for upgrades, issues, etc. Dell (and probably Gateway too) have lost thier previous good service. I've heard tell of monitors crapping out within 3 months. And just try to get ahold of one of their customer service people without cooking an entire goumet meal while on "hold". Find PC Magazine on the net and look at their Revue section on PC's. They'll give you some good insight, and you might even find you a good local company. I found one in Utah this way - great reviews - and called them, just to chat about getting my Mom a PC. The guy talked to me for an hour, even knowing I wasn't going to buy that day! All on his 800 dime. That kind of service is some place I will return to. Hope this helps Bomba-Dear. PS - Stay away from HP - long story, but heed my warning for good reason! PSS - never owned a MAC, but used one - they are great machines.
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