I ordered my new hot-rod computer this morning and it occurs to me that even though it's custom-built to my specs (with a great help from the system designer!) I'll probably be labelled a gold chainer! Seriously, I'm not going to know how to act; this is going to be like stepping out of a peg-leg 18-second brakcet racer into a AA/FD! I've been struggling along with an old COMPAQ "R2D2" -- 28MB RAM, 2GB Storage, nine-year-old CPU technology . . . you get the picture, vs. 512MB RAM, 80GB storage, absolute latest high-speed CPU, CD RW drive, DVD RO drive, ZIP drive, 3.5 drive, FLASHCARD drive . . . all in an aluminum case a billeteer would kill for! They're configuring the system for the highest possible speed working with large photo and graphics files -- my primary need as my work takes a new turn. I also will have the capability for working with some good draw programs and perhaps some simple CAD software, and it's here that I need some guidance and direction from you high-end graphics folks on the HAMB. I would like to be able to do simple dimensioned working drawings of brackets, and maybe even some frame structures. Is this reasonable to do with my new hardware, and if so what software is recommended? TIA for your help, and please try to understand that most of us 66-year-old hot rodders can't build computers like you youngsters do, so you might want to hold off with "gold chainer' accusations.
raw grunt is great. That setup will eat all of your Cad hassles, no worries at all, unless you start getting right up into some monster file 3d modelling stuff.....I'm sure you'll be happy with the package. In regards to the Acad sketching, feel free to ask any Q's, would love to help. Cheers, Drewfus
Well, if you already ordered a new computer, I can't help your gold-chain-ness. I've built a couple of various Frankenstein computers in the past four years. (More like five different iterations, but it was probably with two different motherboards and cases.) Recently, I bought a Dell. (Thanks, "dude".) It actually costs about the same, and requires not much at all from me. So I can't criticize your choice at all. One of the biggest ironies about computers is that the complexity of the software increases at about the same rate as the speed of the machines. For CAD stuff, it depends on whether or not you need to purchase your own license, or can "borrow" a copy. SolidWorks is an excellent 3D program, and will take full advantage of your hardware. (See irony remark above.) AutoCAD is pretty universal. But there are far more simple and less expensive solutions. Here's a great site for free, shareware, and pay-to-play software of ALL kinds: www.download.com Just search for "CAD". A couple of years ago I got an inexpensive version called EasyCAD, that could do everything I wanted. I still use it, and haven't felt the need to change. It relies on the old line-code, while more modern versions have a much better user interface, and are much easier to use. Ragardless, enjoy your newfound speed! (P.S. Please use some of the new machine's capacity for a new "how-to-build-a-traditional..." book. Thanks.) --Matt
[ QUOTE ] That setup will eat all of your Cad hassles, no worries at all, unless you start getting right up into some monster file 3d modelling stuff... [/ QUOTE ] Actually, your new machine will handle a LOT of 3D stuff. In fact, a big reason why I started building my own computers was that I wanted a (relatively) cheap two-processor computer. Those really aren't necessary anymore. Unless you're going to build you next car--fully complete--in a single drawing.
av8... Don't think of it as selling out and becoming a gold chainer. Think of it as an investment. You probably invest in good tools to build cars. This is just another tool to use. As technology changes, it's ok to take advantage of it. I don't know much about CAD programs, but I know a good amount about computers... I sit in front of one all day long. It sounds like you're getting a screamer (PC geek terminology). If I could give one word of advice, load that sucker up with as much RAM as it can hold. RAM is cheap these days and the easiest way to boost performance.
hey mike, you CAD software choice really depends on whether you're paying for a licence or, as someone described it, "borrowing" one... if you're paying, and you want to draw up brackets and such to get them lasercut, then my pick of the cheapy 2D packages is TurboCAD. You can step up to AutoCAD LT, which costs a bit more but is the defacto standard of the engineering industry (DWG and DXF files). or, if you can "borrow" a licence, which is AMAZINGLY easy, get yourself a copy of solidworks or inventor. much fun!
Don't feel bad, I had to have out IT guy come down here and fix my machine today. Now I know how most people feel when they have to take their car to a mechanic and try to explain what's wrong.
Just my $.02 worth - sounds like you're building a heckuva machine, so if you're wary about 'performance' and 'speed' make sure you keep a close watch on SW you put on this thing. I'm gernerally amazed that folks spend big-$$ on the hot new machines and then clog the drive and RAM with crappy little animated icons, cursors, and auto-update apps that run in the background. As a rule I won't download or install anything that isn't, 1.) 100% tried/true, and 2.) absolutely necessary. When I'm done with it, I un-install. If you're using WinXP, it's easier to keep the registry clean so programs don't auto-start every time you boot up (you'd be amazed at the crap running in the background on most machines from the factory) - stay on top of that. It'd be a shame to clog up 512M of high-zoot RAM with background apps that you weren't even aware of.
[ QUOTE ] 512MB RAM, 80GB storage, absolute latest high-speed CPU, CD RW drive, DVD RO drive, ZIP drive, 3.5 drive, FLASHCARD drive . . . all in an aluminum case a billeteer would kill for! [/ QUOTE ] Lhe latest and greatest really is the MAC G5 but its the price of you beginning rod set up! Yours should be damn skippy thats for sure! Do some serious research on cad programs. Talk to shops who use em'. As for photos nothing can beat Adobe Photoshop. And don't be afraid to look up a local community college class that teaches it, you will be more than happy that you did! KCsledz
I ask for a bit of help and in true HAMB fashion I receive lots of great stuff! I already have some of the Adobe programs that were suggested, thanks to HAMBer Anthony in SD, plus another software offer that came through on a PM this evening from a well-known HAMBer who might be characterized as someone involved with wide-beamed cars from Harley Earl's favorite GM line. As soon as the new system is up and running I'm shit-canning my dial-up for a DSL from my much-loved server -- the very finest in all of NorCal, sonic.net (shameless plug). You gotta love folks who will talk you all the way through computing problems that have absolutely nothing to do with their service -- but just because you're one of their customers. I promise I won't let the computer tech overwhelm the old-hot-rod tech . . .
you fags probably trailer your computers and break out the california computer duster before you hit power, if you homo's actually turn your computers on. this message was done on an abacus with a tin can with a piece of string hooked up to it, jammed into a phone outlet with a screwdriver. the wires on the abacus are all dropped 4 cm and the beads are wide white bias ply beads- keepin it real. you people make me sick- why don't you all go to your goodguys computer fairs with yer high dollar "dellsters" and cruise with your cordless mice. why are you even on this board. sure, rat comps are stylish- you fags probably picked up yer copy of "computer kulture deluxe" and think you are going vintage with your mac classics-fuck off, i hate you all.
[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] 512MB RAM, 80GB storage, absolute latest high-speed CPU, CD RW drive, DVD RO drive, ZIP drive, 3.5 drive, FLASHCARD drive . . . all in an aluminum case a billeteer would kill for! [/ QUOTE ] Lhe latest and greatest really is the MAC G5 but its the price of you beginning rod set up! Yours should be damn skippy thats for sure! Do some serious research on cad programs. Talk to shops who use em'. As for photos nothing can beat Adobe Photoshop. And don't be afraid to look up a local community college class that teaches it, you will be more than happy that you did! KCsledz [/ QUOTE ] there is an air of truth here, but mac is and always will be a NAZI corporation. did you know, IBM produced that G5 proc? i can build an intel based dual proc 3D graphics machine that will cost half its price and still be able to expand any part of the hardware for far less. is OSx 64bit yet? since mac baught up 2 of the largest compositing software companies, and now supports 2 of the most widely used 3D softwares, they are becoming a contender again within the graphics world...
ok, here we go.... MACS FUCKIN RULE..end of story. (well they do for graphics anyway, i have both, and i prefer my g4 for most things, the ibm is a "faster" computer, but it can't keep up, and really gets slow if i have illustrator and photoshop open at the same time. i remember reading a few years back that a mac takes 4 steps to do the same thing a pc takes 17 to do)
I've got three computers. An old mac laptop, a new mac laptop, and a newish PC laptop. The only thing that the PC does is answer the phone. I've been using Macs since '88 when I bought an SE30 for $6000+ and have been using PCs since '91. I've just left my managment job at a print shop with a mixed network of PCs and Macs. What I saved buying PCs I lost three fold in maintaince and repairs. The Macs (for the most part) were rock solid over time and the PCs seemed to lose their software integrity in a very short time.
well sure it can be cool with traditional computers (commodore 64, amiga etc) but well eventhough you can browse the net on a comodore 64 and well amiga aint to be counted out as they are still being made , of course one wants the latest in computer hardware nothing wrong with being a computer hightech wannabe
Please! I'm on here to get away from computers!. I've been in the business since 1985, and the PC and Mac war is the equivalent of the ford/chevy battle. IMO, Macs are great, but PCs can do the same job, we just have to fight Microsoft Windows. Macs OS is killer. I wish someone would write a better PC OS. Although I design and build mostly dual or quad processor file servers, I still do the occasional high end PC. Not with the 528MB Video card like Ryan posted though!! Just finished for a customer a DUAL Pentium 4 Xeon CPUs with 1GB of ram, Ultra 320 SCSI Hard drives,DVD writer, the works,running XP which supports multiple cpus, couldnt believe how quick it was, probably the first machine I lusted for. Funny thing is i'm still using a PIII 933. (I keep the parts that people upgrade out of, I'm cheap I know, but i'd rather spend money on my rods) Doesnt seem like too long ago I was selling IBM PCs running at 4.7 mhz with an optional 5MB hard disk. We've got it good now. Mike
I sure know how it is to feel "left behind!" When I first started to teach computer basics THIRTY YEARS ago, I used a Sinclare hooked to a TV set. Now I have to get the 15 year old next door neighbour kid to help me "sort out" problems!
mike, please post some fotos. always enjoy them. maybe some before and after shots. i'll roll up to the 'FLATHEAD FUNNY FARM' and help you hoist the old one up to the rafters with all that other cool stuff. how 'bout it? nic
I love this board! Any and all threads have the potential for starting a biggest-dick contest and/or annoying someone! nic -- I'm going to trade my R2D2 to Tardel for some pieces needed for the pickup, then teach him to use it to print work-in-progress pictures taken with his digicam. This is low-res stuff so the ancient COMPAQ won't be a problem for him. Vern's still a bit timid about coming into the Twentieth Century, never mind the Twenty-First!
psychodaemon - amigas and C64's rule... in the dork community, if you used one of the above back in the day... its equivalent to getting laid by hot slut. there is a better OS for PC's, its called LINUX!!... i think people get confused about the differences between HARDWARE and SOFTWARE... pc and mac hardware are equal IMO, winbloze sucks becuase of their gay ass memory leaks, shitty security, hence your slowed performance with 2D graphics programs... mac sucks, becuase most of the people who use them are whiney starbucks yuppie faggits... other than that... BOBS YOURE UNCLE! for the dorks: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.10/makeover.html i like the keg case myself...
[ QUOTE ] Just my $.02 worth - sounds like you're building a heckuva machine, so if you're wary about 'performance' and 'speed' make sure you keep a close watch on SW you put on this thing. I'm gernerally amazed that folks spend big-$$ on the hot new machines and then clog the drive and RAM with crappy little animated icons, cursors, and auto-update apps that run in the background. As a rule I won't download or install anything that isn't, 1.) 100% tried/true, and 2.) absolutely necessary. When I'm done with it, I un-install. If you're using WinXP, it's easier to keep the registry clean so programs don't auto-start every time you boot up (you'd be amazed at the crap running in the background on most machines from the factory) - stay on top of that. It'd be a shame to clog up 512M of high-zoot RAM with background apps that you weren't even aware of. [/ QUOTE ] I couldn't agree with you more! I work for a small IT company (my boss, and myself...) and we deal with alot of machines that are supposed to be fast (P3's and P4's with 256-512mb of ram) that are crawling slow. Almost always, at least 90% of the time, it's because of "spyware" crap like "bonzi buddy" or "gator", or "hotbar". Stuff like that is horrible... I don't know if it's bad programing or what, but they eat all the system resources, making things slow. In fact, there was one program (wish I could remember what it was) that would change your internet connection settings to slow down... and then start showing a pop-up for a program that would make your connection speed up. That's because it reset the settings that the first program changed. And of course it was something $19.95... So, don't trust any software that appears in a pop-up window, especially stuff that seems "helpful", like showing the temp or storing passwords, or anything like that. Programs that increase performance of your RAM or whatever DO NOT work!
The Jalopy Journal
