Would appreciate opinions...

[elija]

I think I have decided on option 1.

I am now going through the usual process.

"I don't need it.... but I wants it! I don't need it... but I wants it!"

Eventually (on past performance) I wants it will win! I suspect I'll be ordering it this week

[questio verum]

I am now going through the usual process.

"I don't need it.... but I wants it! I don't need it... but I wants it!"

Eventually (on past performance) I wants it will win! I suspect I'll be ordering it this week

Ha! Ha! Boy, can I relate to that!
I just ran through some upgrades I had in the pipeline. Lesson to be learned: check your boxes when they arrive. That new SATAII DVD-RW I ordered last week came out of the box and 'voila!', it was a PATA drive. Then one of the front feet fell off of my beautiful new hi-tech alloy case. QA just isn't what it used to be. I guess I'll be on the horn to Newegg in the morning. On the upside, my new 1TB harddrive works great. Not sure I'll be filling that puppie up anytime soon.

qv

[elija]

I can't believe I held out this long - but my new computer will be here tomorrow.

Now what to put on it.... probably Xubuntu

[MikeTbob]

I can't believe I held out this long - but my new computer will be here tomorrow.

Now what to put on it.... probably Xubuntu

Go for the gusto man, get Gentoo on it.

[glaston]

Seriously!?
What do you use all those machines for?

I realize you can't help yourself, but what is your logic behind this?
There's obviously some way that you justify the purchase.

But when you decide you're getting another machine, what sort of intended use is running through your mind?

Are you running a 3D render farm for use in high end photorealistic renders with PRman or Mental Ray?
I mean really, I'm having a hard time imagining what you use them for, how you physically have them arranged as far as space constraints are concerned.
You must live alone, because no woman would ever allow this unless you have a guest house where all the computers live.
Your house must have machines EVERYWHERE!
I can't see a woman being able to decorate a home with computers on every flat surface.
Your power bill must be insane!?
Not just powering the machines, but keeping the place cool with that many machines running.

I just can't see all those machines having their own use.
Do you have a computer lab where a bunch of other people use these machines?
But why would you buy computers for other people to use?

Sorry, but that's not even OCD anymore, it's straight up addict behavior.
Hopefully for the sake of your sanity, your family is planning an intervention.

Seriously, like any other addict this has to rule your entire life to the point where others are becoming concerned.
It's most likely not even the computers themselves that you're addicted to.
It's likely the simple act of getting something new.
Because with that many machines there's no way that their configurations are so different from each other that each one allows you a different experience.
You'd have to have a different distro on each and every one, with some being merely different releases of the same distro.
And there's no way that you could have the time to learn each and every one intimately and keep up with every distro.
Not only would that be next to impossible, it would also be completely counterproductive.
And for all intent and purpose, sitting down at one of those machines would be the same experience as sitting at another.
The only difference between more than 4 or 5 machines would be in your mind, just knowing that it's a new machine you're using.
Which comes back to just "getting a new toy", and once you open the box and set it up, and finally install an OS the thrill is gone.
Opening the box, and setting up the machine must be the extent of the "high" you get from it.

Do you just set them up and install an OS, bring up your favorite apps on screen and then stand back and look at them?
There's just no way you could use all those computers effectively and productively.

I'm sure you have photos taken of this phenomenon.
I'd really like to see this, and I'm sure everyone else would too.

I'm leaning toward this being a major over-exaggeration.
Nothing personal, it's just so over the top that it's hard to believe.

[elija]

Go for the gusto man, get Gentoo on it.

lol. Not a bad idea. No wait! I want to use it this year

I am seriously considering Vector Linux as an alternative

[elija]

Seriously!?
What do you use all those machines for?

I realize you can't help yourself, but what is your logic behind this?
There's obviously some way that you justify the purchase.

But when you decide you're getting another machine, what sort of intended use is running through your mind?

Are you running a 3D render farm for use in high end photorealistic renders with PRman or Mental Ray?
I mean really, I'm having a hard time imagining what you use them for, how you physically have them arranged as far as space constraints are concerned.
You must live alone, because no woman would ever allow this unless you have a guest house where all the computers live.
Your house must have machines EVERYWHERE!
I can't see a woman being able to decorate a home with computers on every flat surface.
Your power bill must be insane!?
Not just powering the machines, but keeping the place cool with that many machines running.

I just can't see all those machines having their own use.
Do you have a computer lab where a bunch of other people use these machines?
But why would you buy computers for other people to use?

Sorry, but that's not even OCD anymore, it's straight up addict behavior.
Hopefully for the sake of your sanity, your family is planning an intervention.

Seriously, like any other addict this has to rule your entire life to the point where others are becoming concerned.

Do you just set them up and install an OS, bring up your favorite apps on screen and then stand back and look at them?
There's just no way you could use all those computers effectively and productively.

I'm sure you have photos taken of this phenomenon.
I'd really like to see this, and I'm sure everyone else would too.

Seriously! Although I will only have 11 (including the IPAQs). I cannibalized 3 of my desktops to beef up three others which I have sold to make some room. I cannot describe how difficult it was to decide which ones to let go!

I used to run a several server network, I am almost ashamed to say it was Windows, so I could learn and then I would have several clients hooking in but that did get expensive in power, the operating systems were Action Pack versions from work.

These days, on a regular basis I have two or three in use and most of the server stuff has been scaled down to just one virtual machine.

It is OCD - there are other symptoms as well, this is just the most expensive one; still I am better at dealing with it than I used to be and don't buy things nearly as often

I don't actually have a photo - it's just normal to me and not worthy. I'll try and get one in the next couple of days

[elija]

All I can say is Holy cow! that's fast!

I think this beastie would run Vista at a half decent speed... so the 64 bit Xubuntu really flies. I don't think I have ever seen Windows (not TM) open so quickly. And it's virtually silent which is great.


Oh and this is some of my kit... It doesn't include all the new stuff, the bits in various drawers or the bits in the attic...

ImageShack - Hosting :: img0008tb0.jpg
ImageShack - Hosting :: img0009al7.jpg
ImageShack - Hosting :: img0010rw9.jpg

[glaston]

That doesn't look so over the top.
I had it pictured much more extravagantly.
With desktops on every flat surface.

People look at ME funny when they see my workshop.
Which is comprised of 5 machines.

My main-PowerMac G5
Then a frankenstein'z monster server running slackware10
And a lock and key server I got from a college auction that's currently being adapted for Open SuSE so I can use virtualization services on it.
2 HP Vectra workstations that have dual Pentium2-300Mhz CPU's and 512MB RAM, 8GB HD's, 17" crt displays.
Those are only there for me to broaden my knowledge of networking concepts.
They aren't really used for much, 1 has Fedora8 on it(which can only boot from floppy for some reason), the other Win2K which will be replaced once I figure out why Linux won't boot from HDD on them.
In the basement den, there's a Dell desktop running XP SP2 which is the house machine used for general purpose stuff mostly by other people who don't have the capacity to use anything but a basic windows system.

What you should do is put some of those resources to use by designing a multi-system computing station where all those laptops cn be mounted to allow the user to have easy and ergonomic access to them all and all the peripherals connected.
A modular system that can start out small and pretty, but be added to in order to create an impressive looking and fully functional computing station.
Then get someone to either build it, or help you build it.
Then sell it and use the profits to buy your new systems.

Something with built in docking stations for laptops and handhelds(including iPods and phones), adjustable laptop mounts, desktop/server cabinets, built in cable organizers/closets that are secured with keys or even one of those little thumbprint scanners.
Small panels for attaching USB keys and/or external HD's.
You could build those around NSLU2 like devices that link USB keys and drives directly into the network
Kensington style cable locks.
Built in modular UPS backups, print servers, wireless AP's, battery chargers for bluetooth devices.
The possibilities are endless.
I know I'd buy one if you made it, or even if something like that was already available.
That would be ideal for any power user with several systems.