[Hidden-tech] Local PC building resources for kids?

[Alex at Just Peachy]

Robert, I’m not sure the several decades long debate about whether video
games are a worthwhile hobby or not is relevant to Noah’s question.

Noah, it sounds like you’re on the right track in engaging with your son’s
hobbies. Picking parts and building a PC can be a simple but rewarding
learning experience - certainly one lots of adults never even attempt -
that will help him understand the basics of how a computer works.

Of course there’s nothing against picking up a Raspberry Pi and encouraging
an interest in computing your son might have, but it seems that’s separate
from your original question and not something I would recommend as an
equivalent alternative to what your son is asking for.

I wish I could provide some insight on local computer parts swaps or shops,
but there aren’t any I’m aware of. If they existed in the past, I’m worried
they went the way of RadioShack.

On Mon, Jun 21, 2021 at 11:47 AM Robert Heller <heller at deepsoft.com> wrote:

> I think the point is to re-direct the kid away from "mindless" video
> games...
> :-)
>
> There is actually very little in the way of a "learning experience" in
> building a x86 PC.  Modern x86 PC hardware is very integrated -- modern
> motherboards have everything already on them.  You just need to install
> the
> processor and memory, install the motherboard in the chassis, install the
> power supply and the hard drive, connect all of the cables and that is all
> there is.
>
> And there are a few video games available for the 'Pi, and *even better*
> the
> kid can learn to write his own video games... (Hint: included in the
> Scratch
> examples are some "classic" video games: PacMan and Pong.  I also have a
> Scratch implementation of Breakout, Asteroids, and Missle Command.)
>
>
> At Mon, 21 Jun 2021 11:16:02 -0500 Alex at Just Peachy <alex at justpeachy.io>
> wrote:
>
> >
> > A Raspberry Pi is undoubtedly a great learning tool, but a poor choice if
> > your son wants to be able to play video games on his computer.
> >
> > On Mon, Jun 21, 2021 at 11:11 AM Robert Heller via Hidden-discuss <
> > hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net> wrote:
> >
> > > Rather then build a x86 PC flavored machine, you might want to steer
> him
> > > towards a Raspberry Pi. Not only will the Raspberry Pi be well within
> his
> > > budget -- the base P4 w/2G is $35, and a complete (except for monitor)
> P400
> > > kit (the P400 is a P4 inside a keyboard, and the kit includes a mouse,
> > > power
> > > supply, and uSD card) is $100, it will come with far more learning
> tools
> > > than
> > > a standard MS-Windows machine -- a Raspberry Pi will include a C
> compiler,
> > > Python, Scratch, and Sonic Pi (and yes, it will also have LibreOffice
> and
> > > Minecraft). Oh, P400 kit includes an actual *book*, the ultimate
> learning
> > > tool.
> > >
> > > I don't know if there are any local resources for any sort of computer
> > > parts,
> > > other than things like keyboards, monitors, and mice ("locally"
> available
> > > from
> > > Walmart or Target, etc.). The OEMs and Amazon, NewEgg, eBay, and big
> box
> > > stores have pretty much killed any sort of mom-n-pop PC parts vendors
> and
> > > eBay
> > > has probably killed any sort of local technology flea market. And least
> > > here
> > > in the local area. I don't know about Springfield or Boston.  Even
> Radio
> > > Shack
> > > died off and the Radio Shack clone/replacements died off.
> > >
> > > At Mon, 21 Jun 2021 10:57:39 -0400 Noah Paessel <knowuh at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > >
> > > >
> > > > Hello Hidden Tech,
> > > >
> > >
> > > > My son, age 12, has expressed interest in assembling his own PC this
> > > summer.
> > > > Instead of buying new parts from Amazon or NewEgg, I want to persuade
> > > him to
> > > > purchase used components or new parts from a local vendor.
> > > >
> > > > Is there a technology flea market or swap that happens in the valley?
> > > > Barring that, are there any mom-n-pop PC part vendors in the area
> that
> > > you
> > > > like?
> > > >
> > > > His goal is to have a machine he can play games on, but I hope to use
> > > that
> > > > as the bait for an authentic learning experience. I welcome any tips
> on
> > > how
> > > > to enrichen this summer project for him.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks!
> > > >
> > > >   Noah
> > > >
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> > >
> > > --
> > > Robert Heller             -- Cell: 413-658-7953 GV: 978-633-5364
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> --
> Robert Heller             -- Cell: 413-658-7953 GV: 978-633-5364
> Deepwoods Software        -- Custom Software Services
> http://www.deepsoft.com/  -- Linux Administration Services
> heller at deepsoft.com       -- Webhosting Services
>
>
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