[Tfug] The $50.00 challenge

[Ammon Lauritzen]

scott cowell wrote:

>I have had an argument with a friend of mine and I was wondering if you can give
>me input.  We have a working hypothesis that you can enjoy ANY hobby in the
>world while spending a maximum of $50.00.  Of course, this means you have to
>spend a lot more effort in reading and doing things, but it can be done.  So my
>question is:  Is it possible to cobble a computer together,  download Linux and
>all needed software and Only spend $50.00 in the process??  Just a thought.
>  
>
Of course. As long as you don't mind used hardware, and as long as you 
don't mind hunting for a good deal.

I've got an AlphaServer 800 5/333 that makes up a very small amount of a 
whole truckload of DEC hardware my dad picked up at auction for a grand 
total of $10. Granted, this is a fairly extreme example on the 
bang-for-buck scale, but it's not too terribly uncommon. You can always 
find things that schools and random companies are casting off.

According to current prices on EBay and various hits on Google, the 
individual components of the Alpha alone would have cost me almost $2k 
were I to purchase them individually from people who are more interested 
in earning money than in simply getting rid of the parts.

-- 
Ammon Lauritzen
http://simud.org/