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--- 2019newtowercomputer [2019/06/04 12:29] – created jcnash
+++ 2019newtowercomputer [2019/06/04 19:11] (current) – [Considerations] jcnash
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-== 2019 New Tower Computer ==
+====== 2019 New Tower Computer ======
 -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. These are:
+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.
@@ Line 10: / Line 12: @@
   * 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:
@@ Line 25: / Line 36: @@
   * 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.