Computer Comfort Zone Part II PC Side San Jose, California Wednesday January 30, 2002 by: Kevin McIntyre Just a few days ago as I was copying files over our network and creating Operating System back ups using Ghost I commented on how cool this whole thing is. We have currently six machines plugged in with one on the bench awaiting a replacement power supply. Of that, one is a G3 same age as yours, the rest run Windows 2000. Stepping up to W2K has made the box rock solid, no Blue Screens, but it does require relearning where a few files go by default. Of course if one is looking for a secure operating system one named "Windows" may no be your first choice however using the Linksys Router provides us good firewall protection. As a test, I left one machine running for a week on the DSL with no protection. It was soon riddled with viruses. A format / reinstall cured it. With a home network and a VPN connection to Sandras office, we can move files around and administer machines with total ease. It may be the computer across the desk, in the bedroom, or twenty-five miles away at the office. One can't have more fun and remain clothed! There are some who think they need the 2.2 Ghz Intel just because its available: if one is going to edit movies taken with their digital movie camera there is no such thing as to more horsepower, ram or drive space. This morning I was pricing a new workstation: using an integrated board it would be $75 for the board, $80 for a 40 gig 7200 RPM drive, $25 for a CdRom, $55 for a 256 Ram stick then another $50 for a case [all USD]. An 800Mhz Duron is as low as $45 plus fan. Mac users have gone without floppy drives for years, Windows users can to if they set the machine up right. At these prices how can one say no? Wheres my Visa card.....