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My Computer Friends
    When I initially began this site, back in early 1999, it was still a pretty big deal to have a really good computer, and a very big deal to have a home network. Today, this is no longer true. Everyone from grandmas to babies use computers these days, and home networks are as common as home video systems. Wireless networks, despite their security and performance issues, are also getting to be common. The whole hobby aspect of computers is becoming a thing of the past, as they get to be more common, more integrated with other devices, and more appliance like.
    In recognition of this, I have not updated this section in a very long time, and almost did not update it at all, and even considered removing it from my site. At one time, all of my computers were homebuilt, and a few still are; but it is making less and less sense to do this today. I presently have a mix of homebuilt, customized, and standard model computers. Most of what I own is somewhat behind the curve, and a few of my utility computers are way behind; but they are all more than good enough.
    I presently share my home with several computers of various talents and abilities. Below are listed the PC compatibles on my network. I built a number of these computers myself over the years, and have networked them. All of the machines connect to the internet through a proxy/firewall machine. The network uses a mixture of domain (W2K), and workgroup (UNIX) machines. I also have a couple of scanners (attached to bigguy, and timbuk2), and a pair of digital cameras. I presently have an HP Deskjet printer, but will soon have a laser printer as they can now be had in the $200 range. Active Links will go to a page for each computer. Most of my older computers are now retired (though I may resurrect their names for future systems), and I plan on upgrading and revamping virtually all of my computers, and have switched my network from the 98/NT4 to the 2000/XP operating systems.
    None of these are exactly cutting edge machines, though a few were when I first got them, but nothing stays cutting edge for very long these days. Most of what I own is just far enough behind the curve to be inexpensive, but close enough to be current: With the coming of the new 64 bit processors, the whole landscape of computers will be changed, yet again. I look forward to seeing what the next decade or two will bring.
Good enough is the enemy of perfect.
My Network PC Machines
computer
 case
 os
 cpu
 ram
 hd
 sound
 video
 mon
 net
 drives
 mod
Ace Mini tower Vista Pr Athlon x2 3600 4 gb 250 gb/1 tb Realtech generic Nvidia 6100 19" flat 100 DVD RW 56k
Sleepy
 desktop
 W2k
 686-300
 64mb
 6.4gb
 sb16
 9685-1mb
 15"
 10/100
 3.5,18xcd
 none
Timbuk2
 Tower
 W2K
 P4 2 GHZ
 1gb
 120gb

17"
LCD
 10/100
DVD
None
Stevens
 mini
tower
 WXP
server




none
 10/100
none
Porky
 Tower
 W2K
 PIII
866
 1GB
 60 gb
 SB Live
 Radion
7000 32mb
 15"
 10/100
 DVD, Floppy
 none
Watchman







10/100

Chief
 Mini
Tower
 WXP
 P3
667
 1gb
 80gb
60gb
 SB Live
 Banshee
16mb
 17"
LCD
 10/100
 3.5/CDRW/travan tape
externa hd, and DVD/RW
 none
Mogul
 Tower
 WXP
 P3
933
 1gb
 20gb
120gb
 Audigy2
Platinum
 Radion
128
 17"
LCD
 10/100
 CD writer, DVD
DVD writer, floppy
 none
Nomad laptop WXP   1GB 40GB       10/100 CDRW/DVD 56K
Linus Desktop Linux P4 2.8 1 GB 100 GB Intel 845G AC97 SB 17" LCD 10/100 CD ROM/Floppy 56K

My Network Unix Machines
computer
 case
 os
 cpu
 ram
 hd
 sound
 video
 mon
 net
 drives
 mod
Sunny
 Desktop
 Sol 8
 PII350
 256mb
 8.4gb
 SB16
 ATI Rage 2
 15"
 10/100
 CD, Floppy
Sparky
 Tower
 Sol 9
W2K
 sparc 440
K-6 400
 1 Gb
256mb
 40gb
60gb
 Sun
SB16
15"
 10/100
 CD, Floppy
 none
Smiley
 Tower
 Sol 9
W2k
 Sparc 440
K6 400
 1 GB
256mb
 120gb
 Sun
SB16

10/100
 CD, Floppy
Blade
 Desktop
 Sol 10
W2k server
 Sparc 500
Cel 733
 2 GB
256mb
 40gb
120gb
 Sun
Sb16

10/100
 CD, FLoppy, Card
Click Here to Read About The Unix Revolution

Some Old Friends
computer case o.s. c.p.u. ram h.d. Sound video monitor network drives modem
bigguy fulltower W2K PIII 600 256mb 60gb sb live ati-xpert 8mb +video out 17" 10/100 3.5/5.25/zip/ls-120/40xcd/cdr, DVD, Tape 56k
littleguy minitower w98 Cel 400 256mb 17gb sp8330 9685-4mb +video out also tv capture card 15" 10/100 3.5/24xcd/ 56k
Linus midtower Linux 686-300 64mb 6.4gb sb16 Intel 810 8mb 15" 10/100 3.5/40xcd none

Besides my PC network, I have an Apple II GS, an Adam, an Amiga 2000 with a bridgeboard, and an old C64, along with some older computers. I would like to network the Apple, and the Amiga, but I haven't yet been able to find the time to figure out how. As both of these computers are orphans, it is not easy to get parts or information. I am also considering the purchase of a Mac, to add to my network. I am now on my third generation of Linux machine, and am getting a bit more comfortable with it. I have a nice, new, 16 port switch, which is intelligent enough to almost be a router.
Links The Late Great Apple II, Apple IIC, and Apple II GS Mini-Cray
Online Education Apple iMac Amiga 2000 Adam C64