Can you help me make a $$ decision...

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Can you help me make a $$ decision...
16
Mon, 09-13-2004 - 5:29pm

Here's the situation. I have gone back to school and am taking an online course. Here's the problem. My computer is too slow for the program. Here are my choices:


1. Do nothing, and hope my computer doesn't crash, although, it takes long to do (software is HUGE, computer is slow) and I have dial-up, which means even more time. Now granted, I could just take my time, but I have two lessons a week to complete, and it's not like I have all day to sit at my puter at home. I have, at most, 4 hours a night for 3 nights. Not including weekends. Okay, that's the main issue. Time and having my computer crash cuz the hamster died.


2. Buy a new computer to replace my old one, which will push my budget back about 2-3 months depending on what I buy. I would spend about $1,000 on a new computer, but it will last me another 5+ years.


3. Build a computer and hope for the best. I was thinking of building a computer, but only putting on it my stuff to dial into the internet and that one program for my online class. And running BOTH my computers side-by-side. One old computer with all my old stuff. One cheapy new one with just ONE program. lol. FAST BABY!


4. Go thru this local company, buy a computer with what I need for $800, but not ALL that I want on it.





my pet!

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Wed, 09-15-2004 - 5:50pm

How funny. My friend told me about them awhile back. I've been buidling one online, and it's amazing how cheap you can get one for what you want. Mine is about $680. Not bad considering it's a p4 3.0 and has 128mb of vid. lol.


They have a brick and mortar place near me, I think I may go in and see the stuff for myself. Maybe then it's only TWO months of being behind on my budget, versus 3. WITH a new computer. =)


although, that still means I'd have to do this semester's work on my old computer. That or, the dreaded, hit my mom up for a small loan.


The VERY cool thing is that I can get a puter thru my work. Up to $5k. And depending on the amount, pay it back interest free over 12 or 24 months. The catch? I have to have worked there for 1 year. That would put me into February. Could be too late. I guess I have to see how my computer this year is. If it's REALLY slow, but works, okay. if not, going to have to ask mommy for help. lol.


Thanks everyone.

~Cher




my pet!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 5:25pm

Thanks everyone. I decided to suck it up and ask my mom for a loan. That way, I can get a computer now, but will have to defer my budget. I also will get a computer from that cyberpowerpc as I can fully load what I need and get it out the door for under $800.


I figure, if she goes for it, great. If not. I will wait until February when I can get one thru my work.


I tried working on the program the other night, it's REALLy slow. I hate to see what happens when I get into a big project on it. Crash city. =( So, I went with asking my mom.

~Cher




my pet!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-15-2003
Fri, 09-17-2004 - 10:07pm

Hey Cher, I am a designer, I work with Acad 2004 everyday. My employer gave me a copy for my home computer, (all legally licensed for use) and even with my decent machine, it runs too slow for working. It is a massive application.


If you seriously need the program for school, I would definetly finance a new machine. Do you really need it though? I know it would be a huge convenience to have at home, but is convenience worth putting off your debt plan?, by months?

~okee

(formerly oneandonlyother)

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Mon, 09-20-2004 - 12:33pm

To answer your questions.....


The program I got was a student edition (ACAD '04 perpetual license $215). BUT, I also got a copy of 2002 from my bf's father (full edition $FREE).


Also, this class is online, so there are no computers I can use, unfortunately. And since I do plan on going onto work for CAD, I think it's worth it to have the computer. I plan on taking CAD next semester (advanced CAD) and then take the more advanced arch cad. Oh, I wanna go into Architecture. Since I love drafting, by hand, but I hear no one does that, but they all do CAD. So i have to do that. I should be able to put my feet in the water by next year or so....I hope. At least I can do it here at my work (little things, but something on a resume).


BTW, I did get a computer. My co-worker knows all about what is needed and stuff, so she helped me configure a pc with what I need for CAD, and what I don't need. Therefore, I got a




my pet!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-15-2003
Mon, 09-20-2004 - 6:17pm

Cool, glad you got a good deal. I had no idea they had online Cad classes, the one that I did see was a very inferior class, and you used an internet based version of the software.


It's true that no one hand drafts anymore. I loved it too. I had a prof. tell me that Cad was just a fad, lol....he was so old school. The only ones that hand draft are older ones that never learned Cad, and it's a pain in the butt because when they come to us for engineering we have to redraw the entire thing. The industry has been overtaken by Cad. I can't see how anyone can make a profit handd rafting anymore.


I am a 'design professional'. I work for an engineering firm. I design houses, garages, additions, septics systems, parking lots, store layouts, etc. Mostly houses, but with the loss of architecture in our world of vinyl siding and pre-fab foundations, my position concentrates more on the structure and code compliance of the building, and the homeowners pick the perks. I do design, don't get me wrong, I just don't think there is much freedom for an artform left these days. Everything is driven by money, and I am sure we can all understand why...lol.


I went to school for Architectural/Constructional technologies, and believe it or not, they are 2 different worlds. Architecture is art. Construction is a technology, and although they kind of go hand in hand, most engineers and architects never see eye to eye. Luckily, I do both, and deal strictly with homeowners or contractors, but on larger scale commercial things, architects design the structure, and then turn it over to us for engineering. That's where the disagreements come in. "The duct won't fit" "The compressor condensor is 'ugly'" LOL...


You'll be amazed at the people that call themselves 'contractors', the majority of them know nothing about code, and boy will they argue, until they get denied a CO.


I love it though. It uses my brain on a daily basis. No

~okee

(formerly oneandonlyother)

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Tue, 09-21-2004 - 4:11pm

Oh wow! No, we are online, but we only do discussions and quizzes online. we turn our homework in thru the system, but we do it all at home. On our own computers.


I'll have to keep arch/constr in my head. The one reason I think I"d be GREAT at arch is that I'm artistic, but analytical. I was going to go into arch eng after HS, but the program was massively impacted. I loved the "the duct isn't going to fit, but it's ugly". lol. So typical. So, I'm sure I could be go-between also.


Right now, I'm an admin assist. No specific field. I have a BS in CIS, but not really using that as you can see. lol. I coulnd't find a job and it never appealed to me as a job, but I love computers as a hobby. I love arch completely. Not sure what I'll do, but I'd love to design homes.....tract, custom, I don't care. I love houses. That's the goal, but when it's time to look for something new, I'll just take what I can get for now. lol. Just need a foot in the door at that point.





my pet!

Pages