[Hidden-tech] Local PC building resources for kids?
Aaron E-J
the at otherrealm.org
Mon Jun 21 21:51:48 UTC 2021
This is why I want to make a local Makerspace in the
Northampton-Holyoke-Amherst area. If we had an electronics section, we
could just collect people's used PCs and other electronics and before
long we would have enough so that all you might need is a hard drive or
more recent CPU or compatible memory, not everything.
Some libraries are branching out into makerspaces. We could create a
system where people could donate electronics they are not using and pick
up used parts that people need. Because it is often difficult to find
the right memory to match a motherboard, we could have a similar system
as the inter-library loan program, only for used electronics. Just an
idea.
I agree that the raspberry pi is not fast enough for use as your main PC
- still useful for exploring electronics though.
Aaron E-J
The Other Realm
http://otherrealm.org
http://theotherrealm.org (Blog)
On 2021-06-21 3:07 PM, Everything Computers via Hidden-discuss wrote:
> 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
> <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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
> <mailto: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 <mailto: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:
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