Author: Matthew Hull
Date: 07:35:26 09/23/03
Go up one level in this thread
On September 23, 2003 at 07:32:18, Alastair Scott wrote: >On September 23, 2003 at 03:44:53, stuart taylor wrote: > >>Such as to get the best few chess programs which might never be crushed till the >>end of time, and to enjoy them in full without having to keep thinking that >>there might be something better next year, and I'll be behind the times etc? >> And in a similar way, to get the best computer with best components some time >>in the (near) future, and then to enjoy it fully etc. for many years, without >>upgrading. > >Regarding the software, there's an easy way to do this; only play the computer >yourself. As programs were already too strong for mere mortals several years ago >there is suddenly no issue as everything which costs money nowadays is way, way >up in the stratosphere :) > >Regarding the computer itself, there's an easy solution to that as well; switch >to Linux and things will work ad infinitum without "upgrade pressure", and the >availability of new chess programs is greatly cut down. That strategy has never >let me down! (The only reason my current PC runs Windows is because XP came in >the box; its cards are marked for a switch to Linux in 2005 or so). > >I have only ever bought new PCs or PDAs when there was a physical breakage >(annoyingly often with PDAs); I wonder what proportion of new machines is really >_needed_. I like your philosophy. And Linux is the key to getting the maximum in efficient and reliable use out of your hardware. Nothing tops it in flexibility. Windows will just turn your hardware into a useless, consumer-grade, open-your-wallet bitty box (it comes with no compilers, utilities, languages, applications or meaningful services). Also, an important key to long term computer ROI is when you buy to load up on RAM, video RAM, and disk. Then enjoy the machine for five years (or more). I still use a 1995 machine (90 mhz Pentium) with Linux. It is very handy as an X-station, as a machine to host backups, and for running chess engine speed-disparity tests (my 900mhz Duron is 14 times faster than the 90mhz Pentium in chess). MH > >Alastair
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