How about some tips on furthering one's technical ability?

[der King Mongo]

Hiya, first, I love the site and even click your banners on occasion.

I am a recent convert to "technology," being a creative writing degree holder, and very recently passed the A+ (thanks in no small part to this site). However, I'm now at a loss as to what I should do to further my computing mangling abilities. I'm poor and not insured, so it would be unwise to build machines for friends/family, when from a practical standpoint, they're better off buying an OEM. I have a bunch of old, broken systems which I play with, but I don't feel I'm learning anything useful (486 machines). And, naturally, nobody will give me a job mangling computers (although they all want me to write their help docs--bastards).

Anyway, either some project suggestions or something like that? Y'know, stuff that your fans could do to improve their abilities, or whatever, preferrably on the cheap; I'm sure I'd learn a lot if I bought a bunch of Cisco equipment, but, you know...

[ixl]

Originally posted by der King Mongo:
Hiya, first, I love the site and even click your banners on occasion.
Thanks for loving the site. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif If the banners appeal to you, please do click on them and make use of whatever they are telling you about, this helps support the site.

I am a recent convert to "technology," being a creative writing degree holder, and very recently passed the A+ (thanks in no small part to this site).

Congratulations, and glad to be of service.

However, I'm now at a loss as to what I should do to further my computing mangling abilities. I'm poor and not insured, so it would be unwise to build machines for friends/family, when from a practical standpoint, they're better off buying an OEM. I have a bunch of old, broken systems which I play with, but I don't feel I'm learning anything useful (486 machines).

You'd be surprised, you know. I got into hardware when I was thrust into a job where I had to keep a large collection of ancient machines going. I am talking about 486s, 386s and even older PCs, and my mandate was "spend as little as possible". You can learn a lot that way. Hardware changes all the time but many of the basics stay the same, or you can learn more of the hardware specifics later on.
And, naturally, nobody will give me a job mangling computers (although they all want me to write their help docs--bastards).

Well, maybe they will give you a job writing their help docs, and then you never know where it might go from there.

Anyway, either some project suggestions or something like that? Y'know, stuff that your fans could do to improve their abilities, or whatever, preferrably on the cheap; I'm sure I'd learn a lot if I bought a bunch of Cisco equipment, but, you know...
Well, some of your friends may be better off with a pre-made OEM machine, but one or two might be better off with a custom-made machine. The PC Buyer's Guide (http://www.PCGuide.com/buy) will help you figure out how to design and buy the components, and there are several resources to help you build. Your friend gets a customized machine and you get the experience of building it. Lots of people start that way.

Another idea, look for a local computer club. Then you can network with other enthusiasts.

Anyway, there's a couple of ideas.

P.S. The two postings currently in this forum make me think a separate forum for A+ discussion might be useful... thanks for the idea guys.

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Charles M. Kozierok ( ixlubb@PCGuide.com )
Webslave, The PC Guide (http://www.PCGuide.com)
Comprehensive PC Reference, Troubleshooting, Optimization and Buyer's Guides...

[This message has been edited by ixl (edited 08-30-2000).]

[Son of Zeus]

der King Mongo,
just a short note to throw around a few, perhaps tired cliches, but ones that still hold true today.

First, it’s always easier to get a job when you already have one than when you don't.

Second, very rarely does anybody ever start at the top when they change careers/jobs. Normally you start at or near the bottom & work your way up again.

Consider your resume & even more importantly the job interview itself. To be able to reel off a few referees who will state that you put an abc system together for them & that you have written xzy help docs would go down well.

A Degree is wonderful (I have two undergraduate Diplomas & am half way thru a Degree myself) but to me in 2000 & beyond they really only show your ability to study at a very high & intense level for a relatively short period of time. More a rite of passage into the professional world than anything else.

Nowadays a lot of people in Australia don't even work in the field that they’re qualified for. But their Degree certainly opened the door to opportunities they would never have had otherwise.

Also don’t throw away all those 486s, 386s etc. I will look up a posting elsewhere awhile back re some guy who has managed to get his programmers to design software that will run back to a 286 & give you a basic word processor, spreadsheet & database plus a Web Browser for about $100 American.

Ofcourse you can’t play 3D games etc but I think that there is a huge market out there amongst the budget buyers ie. students, first time users etc who will jump at this. I want to investigate this more myself, but haven’t had the time so far. Will check further if you want.

Best of Aussie (British?) Luck...Son of Zeus.

[der King Mongo]

Thanks for the tips! I actually hadn't considered a computer club...wow, I'm going all the way Geek! Wuhoo!

As for the old machines, I've been looting their hard drives for backups and file trades--I don't have a CD-burner http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif