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

Mon Jun 21 19:07:28 UTC 2021

NOAH

I have a collection of computer parts to get him started, I can provide
most of what he needs to begin anyway.

On Mon, Jun 21, 2021 at 2:10 PM Alex at Just Peachy via Hidden-discuss <
hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net> wrote:

> 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!
>> > > >
>> > > > Ã¢â‚¬â€  Noah
>> > > >
>> > > > _______________________________________________
>> > > > Hidden-discuss mailing list - home page: http://www.hidden-tech.net
>> > > > Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net
>> > > >
>> > > > You are receiving this because you are on the Hidden-Tech Discussion
>> > > list.
>> > > > If you would like to change your list preferences, Go to the Members
>> > > > page on the Hidden Tech Web site.
>> > > > http://www.hidden-tech.net/members
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > >
>> > > --
>> > > 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
>> > >
>> > > _______________________________________________
>> > > Hidden-discuss mailing list - home page: http://www.hidden-tech.net
>> > > Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net
>> > >
>> > > You are receiving this because you are on the Hidden-Tech Discussion
>> list.
>> > > If you would like to change your list preferences, Go to the Members
>> > > page on the Hidden Tech Web site.
>> > > http://www.hidden-tech.net/members
>> > >
>> >
>> >
>>
>> --
>> 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
>>
>> _______________________________________________
> Hidden-discuss mailing list - home page: http://www.hidden-tech.net
> Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net
>
> You are receiving this because you are on the Hidden-Tech Discussion list.
> If you would like to change your list preferences, Go to the Members
> page on the Hidden Tech Web site.
> http://www.hidden-tech.net/members
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.hidden-tech.net/pipermail/hidden-discuss/attachments/20210621/ab2c0843/attachment.html>