Re: If you could design a $300 homecomputer today, what would youchoose?

[Otter <otter@oz.net>]

Bob Retelle wrote:
> 
> On Sun, 29 Jul 2001 16:09:49 +0000 (UTC), Stephen Shaw
> <xstephenx@apple2.org.za> wrote:
> 
> But can you build an obsolete hackers' computer for only $300?
> 
> > I think a "kit
> >computer" is a nice niche idea. I certainly subscribe to the idea behind it.
> 
> Certainly, you can find something to fill almost any niche, if price
> is no object.
> 
> I always lusted after a KIM-1, even though it cost more than our $300
> price point,  and did very little.   Want to guess how many were
> actually sold?

Getting even farther from the original topic.  It is quite easy to have
a "kit" computer for next to nothing.  Here's my current little kit
project...

http://www.oz.net/~otter/gallery/Thissle.JPG

This is eventually going to be a dual-boot Linux/Winblows-98 beast. 
Here is what Thissle currently has:

ISA/PCI motherboard
Intel Pentium-120 CPU (Socket-7)
40 MB RAM (72 pin SIMMs - 4 8MB SIMMS and 2 4MB SIMMs)
256K Cache
Hard Drives:
	IDE x4	Quantum Fireball ST3.2		3.2GB
		Western Digital AC-2850H	850MB
		Maxtor 71260AT			1.2GB
		Fujitsu M1636TAU		1.2GB

	SCSI	Quantum ProDrive LP240S		245MB

CD-ROM	Chinon CDS-53S
Colorado-250 Tape Backup Unit
Standard 3.5" HD Floppy Drive
Trident TGUI-9680 PCI Video Card - 2MB
56K Modem - ISA
AMD AM-2100 NIC Card - ISA
Adaptec AHA-152- SCSI Card - ISA
SB-16 PnP - ISA
Nice SVGA PnP monitor
Typical 2 Serial Ports and 1 Parallel Port
She still has 2 empty PCI Slots

Right now, I'm just messing around with her Win-98 side, mostly for
hardware testing, and for teaching myself networking.  The Network hub
sitting next to her will be used to link her and SunBlossom (the P-166
system I'm posting this from) together, as soon as I find the
documentation for the hub.

All total, I think I have at the most $25 to $30 invested in her.  The
majority of her components were given to me from friends and co-workers
who know I like this old stuff, with the rest being purchased from
thrift stores.

I think this definitely qualifies as a "kit" computer, or at least as a
"geek station".  :)  She's got enough to be operational, with plenty of
room for upgrades and expansion as super cheap components become
available.

Now as for the original question that started this whole thread...I'll
have to think on that.  Should make good bathtime thinking material
later today; or goo drifting off to sleep thinking fodder.  On that
note, it's time for me to get some sleep.

Night all.

-- Otter