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====== 2019 New Tower Computer ======

2019-6-4: My (John Nash) current primary "working" machine, called J6, is a Sept 2011 tower,
which has served me well and is still a useful and well-balanced computer for 
my needs. 

==== Needs ====

  * a lot of management of files, since I have a goodly collection of computer archives, having been involved with building and using computers since 1961, and I have managed to preserve many of the files, as well as materials from my academic career, my creative writing, folk dance, and personal and family history material. 
  * some computation (i.e., scientific computing), as well as specialized text processing, which can be intensive but is NOT gaming; I also do some scripting as well as programming for math/stat.
  * much communication activity (web, email, video chat, ftp/ssh)
  * some investigation of other distros (even --horrors-- non-Linux) using VMs under VirtualBox
  * some photo, audio and video editing, but mainly of the snip-and-glue variety

==== Likes ====

I like a fairly big screen. At one time J6 had two monitors, a 24" HDMI and a 20" VGA, but I've found just the 24" is fine. Smaller screens (as on my laptops) are not as helpful for writing and programming. I use headphones for audio -- no fancy speakers.

I also like a decent keyboard as I am a touch typist. However, it is useful to have a numeric pad. 
While I'm happy with a lot of pointing devices, I find a mouse easiest, and use my left hand for this,
though I am right handed. This seems to avoid some wrist stress I had a decade ago when a friend 
suggested this simple change. (It also inhibits folk from using your computer!)

==== Current machine ====

J6 has the following very edited setup: 
  * Motherboard  GA-890GPA-UD3H
  * AMD Phenom(tm) II X6 1090T Processor
  * 16GiB System Memory (4*4Gib DIMM 1600 MHz (0.6 ns))
  * display     RS880 [Radeon HD 4290]
  * multimedia  RS880 HDMI Audio [Radeon HD 4200 Series]
  * RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller
  * 2 * 1TB WDC WD1002FAEX-0 in RAID (mirrored) -- used as data storage
  * 500GB ST3500630AS used for OS and home directory
  * 250GB ST3250820A used for holding VM images and similar material
  * BD-RE  WH16NS40 optical drive (CD, DVD, BlueRay)

==== Considerations ====

These could each consume a lot of discussion. I am prepared to use them as topics in Linux Ottawa meetings and put a summary of the discussion here. 

  * Reliability: I probably want reliability more than performance. 
      * error-correcting memory?
      * RAID disks; If so, how?
          * From https://www.dslreports.com/forum/r32205892-ssd-raid-worth-it and similar posts, RAID is probably not good value.
      * New disks? Old ones likely close to possible failure.
      * UPS backup? If so, what size.
      * Backup strategies. I have a 2*1TB Synology Diskstation that I use, but likely could benefit from a more organized BU plan and scripts.
  * Performance vs. power consumption: 
      * Choice of processor
      * Use of SSD for OS and related files
      * Size of memory
      * Power supply - Would like low power profile, esp when idle.
  * Human and usability factors
      * probably can use existing 24" monitor; switch old 20" to J6
      * Likely will take BlueRay drive and put older DVD in J6.
      * easy access disk bays and connectors for USB
      * standardize on USB3 or do I need other connectors (SATA, FireWire, ??)
      * Current machine has no Bluetooth. Is it worth it?
      * Do I need wifi? I prefer wired networking.
      * Could keep current mouse and keyboard, but probably time to replace.
      * I have a plug-in USB webcam, which I leave unplugged except for times when video chatting.
      * Printers and scanners are external. 
  * Value for money.