Reading Hardware

Finally, we are in the Hardware module in school. It's the hands-on portion of the curriculae.

Oft, I've told people "I'm a hardware guy." It is my thing.
So you can imagine my glee in participating in a classroom full of all manner of computers, monitors, kbs, mouses, mbs, hds, and, well, all sorts of unnamed, and sundry computing pieces in varying states of disrepair, and disrepute.

I've arrived.
I am finally among the things that I respond to: electronic communications and multi-media devices. I love, but more often detest, those beige boxes.
I absolutely love ripping them apart though :P

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"Sometimes I invent problems just try to solve 'em," I told my teacher Ray, walking out to our cars.
"Well, I think that most people are like that--to some extent," he said.
"True," I replied.
"But they just call it 'installing software'."

THIS, ABOVE, REALLY, TRULY IS THE BATTLEFRONT...IT IS THE SOFTWARE IN THE CONSOLES...
How well can your firmware use that incredible hardware that comes with a PS2, or even a PSP?
Due to the dynamic configurablity of these devices, it can well be said that it is inviting problems with trying to network and interface with the public at large.

I now have brought 4 cpu units into class. One, which was picked-up from the curb, a P2.5 (with usb!!) Compaq Presario is going to be donated to replace this lady's AT style machine. I didn't pay for it, but I'll bet that she'll pay 75$ for it, considering it works, and is at least 10 times faster than that relic she's using.
So maybe I'll make a few bucks...at least it'll pay off my loan that much faster.

I'm a fish in water. Strike that. I'm a shark.
A big fish in a little pond of 4 of my peers. Most of them have little been inside the guts of the unit. I've served long in the bowels of the glorified number-cruncher, the computer.

So, for my final project in this class, I'm going to dedicate two generic 6 yr-old boxes into linux music servers.
This will be an interesting project which I assume will have me visiting the Linux section more regularly to hear you geeks' opinions. :)

I love hardware, and putting it together. But truth be told, I love being at the top of the class. It's a turn-on. I try to hold back answers, and whatnot, but that rush from the ego boost is hard to get around. Especially when one's not used to it.

Whether it's selling tires, or fixing computers, it's the same. I'm glad to be working in a field where my work is appreciated. I can save people lots of money, but yet still make money too.
The most important thing is to be honest. What people don't realize is that commission sales can save you money...
People have to trust me so they can tell me everything that's important...even thought it might be a little embarrassing. Computers are much more succeptable to this personal embarrassment factor.

Maybe I'm like skilled labor, like a lawyer, or semi-skilled like a priest in the whole confidentiality issue. But seeing how priests are, maybe it's better I'm not.
Regardless, Im a professional at what I do. My job is to make that custome feel comfortable about dropping a "grand" in my hands.
In alot of ways, I'm just as important as toilet-fixing-guy guy, or water-guy, or electricity-guy, or heat-and/or-cool-guy. I'm someone who keeps society moving. I fix those boxes that keep your games working faster, better; and your bookmarks back to where they were.

I may not know many games, or applicatons outside my personal faves, but I'll be a goddam-mo*fo it I can't make that machine purr like a randy kitty.
We, the "Hardware People" are an unusual breed.
Or maybe that's just me~

I'll bet that just took 5 years off my life--but GODDAMM if it wasn't worth every second

This post was edited by zen on Nov 04, 2006.