Poasters Computer Forums

Ok, after much soul searching about this I think we have finally decided.
I believe we have looked at every laptop and desktop on the market.  In the stores and on the internet.
Even though a laptop has many advantages, I am concerned about several things with it.  One is theft, also the fact that if something needs to be repaired it would more than likely have to be sent somewhere, and who knows how long that would take.  So with a desktop if someone spills something on the keyboard, it will be very simple to just get a new keyboard and keep going.  And cost played into the factor also.  Due to the fact that he has chosen an expensive college, it leaves less money for a computer.
So this is what we are thinking about.
KT266 Chipset DDR ATX Motherboard Base System with Audio
AMD Athlon™ XP Processor 1800+ with QuantiSpeed™ Architecture
256MB PC2100 266MHz Non-ECC DDR Memory (we might up this I'm not sure yet)
40GB Ultra ATA (7200rpm) Hard Drive
ATI All-In-Wonder Radeon 7500 64mb DDR Graphics Card
24x10x40 (max) CD-R/RW Drive
15" LCD Flat Panel Monitor
10/100 PCI Ethernet Adapter
Cyber Acoustics 2022 10 Watt Amplified Speakers - CA-2022
Systemax 104-Key PS/2 Keyboard
Systemax Scroll Mouse
Microsoft? Windows? XP Home Edition
Microsoft? Office? XP Small Business
16x (max) DVD ROM Drive
Creative SoundBlaster Audigy Sound Card
56K (max) v.90 PCI WinModem
5/3-Years Ltd. Warranty, 1-Year On-Site & Lifetime Phone Support
This is by Systemax.  This what Eric has been using for more than two years, and my Dad also has one.  I don't believe that we have ever had to call tech support with either of them.  Also we wanted and athlon instead of a pentium.  We will buy better speakers, as this will not only be a computer he will use it for stereo and tv and to watch movies on-that is if he has any time for movies.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks,
Carol

Hi Carol,

I think you made the right decisions and I can certainly understand your thoughts on the possibility of theft, it  could happen easier than not. A desktop would be harder to pickup and run with.

Systemax has advertised their Computers in the Computer Shopper Magazine for years and the  worst thing I ever read about them was that they were slow and that was a very long time ago and I am sure that has all changed. And best of all you have experience with the  company and they have proven to  you their product is dependable and we all know how important that is.

Wishing Chris the best of luck with his new baby. Your babies deserve the best.

Joanie

Hi Carol,
Just for the fun of it I did a little compare with the Systemax system you are thinking of.
I did try to stay as close what was offered at the Systemax web site. After running your system up at the Systemax site I came up with 1627 for a total price without shipping. My total price for the system I generated at newegg is 1617 with shipping. Of course there is no 5/3 warranty and no phone support and you would have to put it together yourself. But you would always have us for support.

I think this price could be cut even further with a lower priced case and monitor

Anyway I just did a little compare to satisfy my own curiosity and so you could be a little more informed as to what you could build for about the same money.
Hope this helps,
Pat

ANTEC Performance PLUS Model PLUS860- with AntecAMD Athlon XP 1800+/266 FSB PROCESSOR CPU - RETAIL  Original TRUE P4 Power Supply 330Watt
125.00

3.5 in. drive 15.00

SOLTEK SL-75DRV4 (Purple Ray Ver.) VIA KT266A AMD Althon & Duron DDR **ATA133** 200/266 MHz FSB Socket
79.00
If I were to build a system today I would pick this board, but prices for similar boards are close.

AMD Athlon XP 1800+/266 FSB PROCESSOR CPU ? RETAIL
108.00

256mb Crucial PC2100
60.00

ATI ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 7500 64MB AGP RTL
158.00


MAXTOR Quiet Drive 40GB 7200RPM Model # 6L040L2 -D740X OEM, DRIVE ONLY
80.00

ASUS CRW-2410A 24x10x40 CDRW Drive ? Retail
54.00

LITE-ON LTD-163 16X DVD ROM Drive ? Retail
40.00

CREATIVE LABS SOUND BLASTER BLASTER AUDIGY MP3+ - RETAIL
92.00

US Robotics 2977 56K V.90 Internal PCI Modem Data/Fax Only (No Voice) ? OEM
45.00

Logitech Cordless Freedom Keyboard & Mouse
53.00

Win/XP Home OEM 94.00

Office xp small business OEM  183.00

SAMSUNG SyncMaster 151S 15" (IVORY) LCD MONITOR - RETAIL 1024 x 768 max
381.00

Altec Lansing AVS500W Multimedia 5 Piece Speaker System for Gaming
46.00

Carol,

It seems that overall you've given plenty of consideration to notebook vs. desktop. It also looks like you've selected a nice system, although I'm not familiar with Systemax.

I believe Ace can probably give you some really good input on this, but I would suggest looking closely at the newer KT333 system board. I am currently running a KT266A, and I am very happy with it. However, if I were buying now, I'd want the KT333.

Which reminds me, if you decide to go with "KT266", make sure you get KT266A, not KT266.

I would gently disagree only from the standpoint that from what I have read in order to take advantage of the full potential of the 333 chipset you need to use cas2 ram. I understand right now that is in short supply and priced quite high. I don?t think Crucial even offers this yet.

Even Tom Pabst from Toms Hardware says in his review of 333 based boards there is no compelling reason to jump from the 266a chipset just yet.

Of course if we all had Ace?s bankroll it wouldn?t matter.  ;D

True, I wouldn't trade in my 266A for a 333, since there isn't a sufficient advantage. However, I would definitely buy 333 if I were in the market for a new computer.

As for the RAM, it will eventually come down in price. Until then, PC2100 will suffice. Remember that the 333 chipset will likely outlive the 266A, and will be better supported years from now.

True enough, but there was a 133 then a 133a to fix some bugs, a 266 then a 266a for the same reason. Now we have a 333, I?ve read that the 333a is already in the works.
I?m not trying to start a great debate or anything but I?m still quite happy with my old 133a based system.
I just read here http://www.ocprices.com/  scroll down to 7/7
that the prices of ram are ?on the brink of soaring?

You're right. The 333A is unavoidable.

Ditto with my pleasure for my 266A. It has been a trouble-free board.

Are you seriously suggesting that I build a computer? :o
We want this for college this year, he has to be there in a month!

I don't think I'm up to that challenge.  Although I'm sure that Eric would love to try it.  But I think I would be afraid we would run out of time if something went wrong.  But thanks for the thought.
 
I'm not sure how much the shipping is on it, as we haven't gotten that far with it.  And the monitor isn't a trade off.  That was one of the agreements in switching from a laptop to a desktop.

I'm not sure if Systemax offers a choice in boards, but I can look.

But, I will discuss the thought of building a computer and see what everyone thinks.  I guess it really hadn't entered my mind as a possibility.

Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know what we decide.

Carol

I don't recommend that you build a computer unless you feel up to the challenge. Not that it's impossible, but you need patience and time. Of course, we will encourage to build if you are so inclined, and we are more than ready to give you good advice.

If building interests you, you will find that it's rewarding, and there's a lot to be learned.

Yep, I agree with Scuzzy. There are certainly pros and cons to building your own.
But I think all things being equal you get a bit more by building your own. You can pick all the components and be sure they are interchangeable and not stuck with some proprietary components that are hard to find down the road. I have no idea how reputable a company Systemax is and they might be good as gold.
I was mainly trying to see what you could build for about the same price as what you would have to spend to buy one.
If you decide to build I?m sure you will get all the help you need here.
Good luck in whatever you decide,
Pat

I personally would be too afraid to put together a computer for college since it's so close, and since I've never done more than put ram or a card in.

Eric,

You might be surprised. I have a strong feeling that you have what it takes. Agreed that the first time takes a little longer. I do understand that in your family's situation it may be better to buy.

Thanks for moving this Scuzzy.  I debated where to start the thread.

Well, I think the best thing for us is to go ahead and buy a computer.  I think time wise it would make me to nervous to still have to make sure the computer went  together well.  I do think Eric could do it, especially with all the great support here, but maybe we'll wait a year or so when he'll need one for college, and start earlier and let him build that one.

Thanks,
Carol

Carol:

Sounds like you've already had lots of good advice, but here are my two cents: (that's 2 cents Canadian, so more like 1.3 cents US, but that's another topic for another time!)

- I'm building two systems for college-bound family members this summer, so we've been over these issues a fair number of times.  I'm making sure that everything is ready to go 3 or 4 weeks before they leave so that they can play with the system and work all the bugs out.  As that would apply to your situation, I would definitely suggest that you buy one, simply for the issue of time.  I've found that in building your own system there's always some small thing that has to be played with to get it right.  That's not to say that between you and Eric you couldn't build a system just fine, but it probably wouldn't be too good to do it with such a small amount of time.

- The other thing I thought I'd mention, perhaps it's already been discussed, is the monitor.  You mentioned that it might be used for movies as well, so perhaps an lcd screen isn't the way to go.  You could probably get a 19 inch crt monitor for close to the price of the 15 inch lcd.  Something to consider, anyways.


David

Thanks Dave.

I know about that Canadian money as I have relatives living there.  Been there a couple times myself, but a long time ago.

Yes, I think it really does boil down to an issue of time now, since he has to be at college on the 16th of August.  I really hadn't even thought about building one as Christopher really was wanting a laptop.  But we started weighing all the pros and cons, and decided to go with a desktop.

As far as the monitor goes, he really is set on a 15" LCD, and I have to give in somewhere, since I want him to be happy.  He did give give in to not getting a laptop, so I had to give some too.

Thanks, Carol

Life is about compromises, isn't it?  I just thought I'd include that in case you didn't already know.  Sounds like he should have a great system for his studies.


David

Carol,

Look closely at buying the LCD panel from a local dealer. I strongly recommend the latest panels from NEC and Samsung. I bought a 17" NEC MultiSync LCD1700M+ from Circuit City, and I am bent over backwards pleased with it. It is a fantastic monitor, and it is good enough to watch action movies on. I paid about $800 for it, but the 15" models are under $500.

If you buy the LCD panel from Systemax, you may or may not be getting good quality. Odds are that you can do much better on your own.

Alex:

I'm looking into an LCD to replace my dying AST Vision 7u.  The ones that I have available from Computer Depot (my local store of choice) that I'm considering are:

- Samsung 171s ($1,045.00)
- ViewSonic  VE170 ($1,206.00)

Any thoughts?


Dave

Thanks Scuzzy, I will check into it this week.  I appreciate all the advise.
Carol

Hey Carol.

At one time I remember  Scuzzy mentioned the NEC digital Monitor  was flawless. With a review like that when my Q 19" needs to be replaced I am seriously going to check on the NEC he referred to.

Joanie

Joanie

Quote from: David Cook on July 14, 2002, 10:15 hrsAlex:

I'm looking into an LCD to replace my dying AST Vision 7u.  The ones that I have available from Computer Depot (my local store of choice) that I'm considering are:

- Samsung 171s ($1,045.00)
- ViewSonic  VE170 ($1,206.00)

Any thoughts?


Dave

Huh. Dave, I was certain that I answered this poast once already, but I must have messed something up. Regardless, here I go again...

When I was in the market for an LCD monitor, I narrowed my choices to Samsung and NEC/Mitsubishi. Although I did consider ViewSonic, I crossed them off the list for the many poor reviews for their LCDs. Samsung and NEC/Mitsubishi placed consistently toward the top. When I saw my current LCD at Circuit City, I knew this was the one for me. No regrets, either. It's been an excellent monitor.

Carol, I just purchased another LCD display from Samsung.  They make great monitors. I have bought three for personal use this last year.  The one just delivered was the Samsung Syncmasters 770TFT.  I got it for $629.00 plus shipping from www.cdw.com  Here is a review from CNET (http://computers.cnet.com/hardware/0-2295747-404-1588135.html) .  There has been only four (4) LCD monitors that CNET has rated a 9 out of 10 and the Samsung Syncmaster 770TFT is one of them.  Take a look at this

CNET reviews (http://computers.cnet.com/hardware/1,10121,0-2295747-402-0,00.html?tag=lnav-lcd&pn=1&ob=1&qt=&qn=&F1=0&F4=0&F7=2&F8=0&F9=0&F11=0&F13=0)

I just looked and CDW is out of the one I bought.  They are for sale at other locations I hope.  I wanted to get another one.  

Well, we are waiting on the new computer.  We did change the ram to 512MB.

I did go look at the NEC monitor.  It is very nice, but $400.00.  And since we were trying to get the actual computer with more in it, and we still have better speakers to buy, we went with the one that will come with the system.
 
There is so much to buy this first year to get him started, and we still have some dive equipment to get (that alone can break you), so we took the cheaper monitor.  I figure that will be something that will be easy to upgrade a little later on.  This will at least get him started.

Anyway, now I am in the market for speakers.  So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  He wants a sub woofer and either 4 or 5 speakers.  Remember, this will basically be his stereo.

Thanks a bunch,
Carol

Hey Carol,

You think like I do. When one is working with-in a budget I feel it is always best to put the dollars into the most  important things first. Although a monitor is very important a monitor does come with the system and can be replaced at a later time but with all of the things Chris will want to do with his system lots of  Memory is going to be a necessity.

The better Altec Lansing speakers are always a good selection and usually you get a good deal and good quality sound. There are a few music buffs here who will probably better advise you with the speaker selection but the Altec Lansing speakers are hard to beat in my opinion.

Good Luck.

Joanie

For speakers, look closely at Altec Lansing, and also Creative Labs. I would pretty much avoid most other models, especially the too expensive and over-rated Bose models.

In the $100 range, here are two to consider:

Altec Lansing 251 (http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11166229&m=488&cat=521&scat=524)
Creative Labs 5300 (http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11092865&m=488&cat=521&scat=524)

In the $200 range:

Altec Lansing 641 (http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11120379&m=488&cat=521&scat=524)

Thanks, I knew there would be some good advice here.

Eric and I both have Altec Lansing speakers.  Eric's are much older and much better than mine.  Mine haven't worked right in awhile (almost like they have a loose wire), but I know they are a good brand.  But then there hasn't been much on this computer that hasn't been a disappointment.  One day it will be my turn to get a new computer.

Thanks, Alex, we will go by Best Buy tomorrow and check them out.  He is very critical of the sound, but gets that honestly from me.

Thanks,
Carol

Well, I just looked at NewEgg, and the Altec Lansing model 251 is only 68.00.  I'll still go look at them tomorrow, but I might just order them instead.
Thanks, Carol

Carol,

That's the best way. Good thinking.

Alex

Ok, this seems like a stupid question to me, but, if I go look and listen to these speakers, won't they possible sound different with the computer depending on the sound card you have?
Thanks,
Carol

Carol,

Not a stupid question at all - actually very thoughtful.

The short answer is: Yes

However, the more important thing is that the speaker systems be compared equally, and in the same environment. What you want to do is to compare the quality of one speaker system vs. the quality of another. As long as the music source is the same, and you're doing side-by-side comparisions, you'll be able to make a good decision.

I usually buy cheap speakers and use the integrated sound card, and I've always had good results.  Right now I have five year old $30 speakers and a fairly cheesy integrated sound card, and it sounds just as good as my Sony stereo.  You should also keep in mind that mp3's have been reduced in quality to make the downloads faster, so some of the hardware becomes overkill.


Dave

I would have to disagree. When I replaced some low-end quality speakers with my current IBM (Altec Lansing) system, I was blown away by the incredible difference in quality. My only regret was that I waited so long to buy them. The sound quality is stunning considering that it's pumping out of my computer.

I do have a high end sound system in my basement theater, which includes a top of the line Yamaha 7-channel amp, and top-end JBL towers. My computer doesn't come anywhere near matching the performance of my sound system, but I wouldn't expect it to.

As for MP3s, yes they are reduced from CD quality. However, many people are not able to discern the difference when put to the test. A quality speaker system will still go far toward an enjoyable sound experience.

Thanks, Alex, that makes sense.  I started wondering about this last night.  He's been at the dive shop all day, and if it's not storming when I pick him up we'll be off to Best Buy.

Thanks Dave.  I've already ordered the computer with a sound card.  He really doesn't use mp3s, he just listens to his CDs on the computer.

Carol

Quote from: Carol on July 26, 2002, 09:41 hrsOk, this seems like a stupid question to me, but, if I go look and listen to these speakers, won't they possible sound different with the computer depending on the sound card you have?
Thanks,
Carol

You could of asked me :)


Anyways, the card that is coming with that system is probably about the same, if not better than the one I have in my system, and you've heard my system, so with a 5.1 speaker setup someone will have beaten me in sound quality in this house :( :P

Yo Carol and Jedi,

When is the College Computer due to arrive?  We are all patiently waiting for a review.

Whenever  a Poaster gets a new Computer we all wait in the background for details.

Just be sure XP has the correct registration ID available. We know what can happen there and I am not jesting about that.

What speakers did we decide on.?

Joanie

Well, we didn't make it the Best Buy yesterday, but we spent today shopping, shopping, shopping.   But Best Buy had only the Creative Labs 5300 hooked up to hear, and then only two of the speakers were working.  So, we decided to take a chance and just order the Altec Lansing ones from newegg.
 
The new computer, hopefully, should be here near the end of next week.  Yes, there is a lot of anticipation here too.  More than one person around here can't wait to get their hands on it.

Yes, I read about the problems with XP ID.  Thanks to Ace, I will know what to watch for.

I guess once I get Christopher settled in college I will have to get Eric a new set of speakers too.

Carol

The anticipation is mounting, the computer was scanned in at 3am this morning as having arrived in town.  Don't know if it will make it on a delivery truck for today or if we will have to wait until tomorrow.  To bad Christopher has to work today, I guess Eric and I will get to play with it first if it comes today.   ;D
Carol

It has arrived!!
Carol

Well, it's up and running and very nice.  So simple, just plug everything in, and everything else seems to be ready to go.  Came with drive image, has the hard drive divided so there is a back up.
Just tried a movie and that worked great, have to get some CD-R's or RW's so we can try that.  Hooking cable to it now to see how the tv tuner remote works.
Boy, I think I want one of these.  Maybe Christopher will let me have that one and take this old Q, yeah right!
More later,
Carol

Hooray! I hope that new computer is everything that Chris needs it to be. Congratulations, and thanks for sharing.

Ok, we had to call tech support and ask a question.  I was off the phone in 5 minutes!  Great!
Watching tv is great.  A slight bit blurred but not bad, that's because I guess for tv resolution should be 640x480 and can't set it that low.
This remote is great.  Does everything, can turn computer off with it, use it for a mouse, including right mouse button, use if for the tv controls-that's all we've discovered so far.
Wow!
Carol

Ahhh, nothing like the smell of freshly opened silicon.  :)

Are you watching the TV in a window or full screen?
Mine plays great and my screen resolution is 1024x768.

Well, watching both ways, trying it in the window and full screen.  Eric and I are just playing with all the goodies seeing how they work.  I think it's pretty good myself but Eric is much more critical.
Well, off to get Christopher so he can play with it and see what he thinks.
Carol

Yo Carol, Eric and Chris

Congratulations to the new owners of the College Computer but don't you guys forget to let Chris take it to school with him. No fair hiding it and handing him the old one.

I can feel the excitement all the way in California, heck it might even cause and Earthquake  if you kids don't calm down. hee, hee.

What brand did you decide on?

Joanie

Joanie, sure hope when Christopher came home and saw it we didn't cause that quake.  He didn't ask when I picked him up if it came, so I didn't tell him.  We bought a Systemax.
He has had some time to play with it now, and is thouroughly pleased.
We've tried everything so far except the CDRW.  I guess that will have to wait till tomorrow.
Next step is to put in Nortons and Zone Alarm, and then put it on the internet so he can get Trillian for instant messaging.
Now Eric and I both want a new one.  Not likely to happen any time soon.  Actually I think Eric would be happy just to get the monitor.
Carol

Hi Carol,

Bet everybody but Chris is starting to turn a little green. I know you are all happy for him and your turn will come as well as Erics. I bet Eric gets his before you get yours. I know how that one goes. hee

Here is the consolation prize by the time you get yours theirs will be outdated and you will have the very latest technology. That has always been my consolation when Barbara or Hanna bought a new computer I always told myself next year will be my turn and then I will have all the new stuff. Right now Hanna is number 1 with the latest and I am #2 so it is Barbara who is ready for the latest stuff and she deserves the best,  she is the computer genious and keeps us all out of trouble.

Joanie

Hi. Old "half-baked" here.  I do have a bit of a roll, but it's not a bankroll.  

CAS2 memory is needed to reach the speeds of which the memory was meant to reach with a 333 board.  I got Corsair; wasn't that much, but that was with a configured system.  Also got the 133 hard drive (Maxtor) for that line.  

So far it's quick and fast and agile and fast; not that I've pushed it, though.  Nice to play a game without freezes and hiccups, though.

Went with a 4200 GeForce; has its own overclocking panel, if desired.  See my article on that elsewhere in these rooms.  I think it's off the main hallway, toward the guest bathroom.

Ace; he's rolling in techie advice.

Ace, sounds like you're really enjoying that new computer! Better get back in the oven so you will be fully baked.
Eric would sure agree with you about the game playing without the freezing--He's already telling me that he will need to upgrade his system soon.

Yes, Joanie, there is a little green coloring around here.  Eric especially would love to have the monitor that came with it.  That consolation prize really does sound like a good one.  But, I feel like I will never be done paying for college, and Christopher is just getting started!

Still haven't tried the CDRW yet, have to go get the CD's.  Not really sure which ones to buy.  Will do some checking around in the next day or so.  Everything else seems to be great.  Installed Zone Alarm and Norton's and downloaded Trillian and all is running great.  So far we are all very pleased.

Carol

New speakers should arrive any time now, as they are on the truck to be delivered today.  Then we can really see what it sounds like.
 
I am going to steal the ones that came with it, even though they don't have a subwoofer they sound better than my altec lansing ones that came with my Q.

Carol

The speakers have arrived!  Eric's review---WOW!  Carol's review---WOW!
Excellent.  Christopher is again at work so he will have to wait till tonight to give his review.  
Carol

Scuzzy's review - WOW! I didn't realize Ace is so ugly!

Neon's review - WOWIE! If you can actually see how it sounds, those must be some dang powerful window-shattering speakers.

Hey Carol,

I have always wanted speakers that would play sound that I could see so that way when I put in the ear plugs the sound would be visible. You lucked out all the way around.

It is going to be a lonesome thread when Chris hauls the College Computer off to school. Bummer!! Maybe he will keep us poasted as to how it working out.

Chow,

Joanie

Christopher's review---Speechless.

Yes, it's really amazing to see the sound.  Why do you think the only thing we could say was WOW.

Yes, this will be a quiet thread and I will have a quiet house.  It's a bit more noisy now, with Christopher listening to the new speakers and trying them out.  I will actually get to use the CD player or radio in the van.  That will be a nice change.

Don't know how much time he will have to keep us poasted.  Guess we'll just have to wait and see how much work he will have.

Carol

WOW, I love seeing the sound of sound or was that the Sound of Music.  In that case you could see the sound although it was the Sound of Music.  Wonderful sound from the Sound of Music.  I wonder what kind of speakers they used to see the Sound of Music.  Scuzzy,  why is Ace so ugly?  Does the sound distort his face?  In that case wouldn't it be the distorting sound of Ace's face.  

Quote from: John on August 07, 2002, 18:15 hrsScuzzy,  why is Ace so ugly?  Does the sound distort his face?  In that case wouldn't it be the distorting sound of Ace's face.  

If you don't mind, I'd rather not discuss from whence Ace is emitting distorting sounds.  :o

Haven't heard a sound from Ace today.

Joanie

WOW.


'nuff said ;)

(http://neon.home.texas.net/Poasters/images/maxell.png)

Good choice, but trust me, as a recent college grad speaking, your child will have plenty of time for movies, TV and games on his computer, not to mention time spent figuring out how to try to use it to make profit/save money.  Way more time will be spent in front of that and the bar, then in front of books!!!!  

Hi Shadyatbest,

Welcome to the poasters forum and thanks for contributing your comments.

Hope you'll  be back soon to find out how the College computer worked out.

Joanie

shadyatbest,

Welcome to Poasters, and thanks for the comments, but, I'm sure he will be spending most of his time with books, or on the water, and will never be in front of the bar.

Carol

Well, you don't know him, most of his time between books will be spent either on the water, or listening to music. Trust me, I already tried to load a game on it to see what it could do, he wouldn't let me :P

After all, I'm his brother.

Quote from: shadyatbest on August 12, 2002, 22:13 hrsGood choice, but trust me, as a recent college grad speaking, your child will have plenty of time for movies, TV and games on his computer, not to mention time spent figuring out how to try to use it to make profit/save money.  Way more time will be spent in front of that and the bar, then in front of books!!!!  

Hi Carol,

I've got a funny, true college story for you.

In the city where my sister went to college and the city where I went to college, there was a bar just off campus named "The Library".  Mind you, these are two different state universities in two different states (one in the mid-west and one in the deep south).  

Many parents wondered how their college student could do so poorly in school when they were spending all their time at "The Library".

I know the girl in the dorm suite next to me visted the library quite often and when her folks would call, the roommate's response was always "Cecilia is at the library".  I'm sure Cecilia's parents were quite proud of her academic commitment.

Cecilia was a stunningly beautiful girl and came from a very wealthy family, but she was spoiled rotten (she received a Jag upon her high school graduation).  More than once I had to go pick up Cecilia from "The Library" and drive her back to campus in the Jag because she was too intoxicated to do so.  Hey, at least I got to drive a Jag..lol!

The week during finals at around 5:00 am,  my roommate and I heard quite a commotion at Cecilia's room next door.  Her mother was at the door with the family housekeeper in tow.  Seems her mother received a call from one of the professors advising that Cecilia was flunking and revealing the truth behind "The Library".  There was much crying and shouting as the family housekeeper packed Cecilia's belongings and Cecilia's mother drug her out the door.  

That's the last I ever saw of Cecilia.  I did feel a bit sorry for her.  Even though Cecilia was spoiled rotten, she was actually a very nice person.  

I always thought it was clever for a campus area bar to be named "The Library".  There's actually one here in Tampa near USF as well.  That makes three that I know of in three different states.  I guess tradition never dies!

Karen   :)
 

Great story Karen.  Christopher will be going to college in St. Petersburg.  Doubt there's a "library" bar near by, mostly only water.
We're off to college this morning for registration and moving in.  
Sure will be quiet arount here now.
Carol

 /me sits back an enjoys the quiet



Hehe, lucky me had to go up to St. Petersburg and fix a slight glitch in the Audigy software (reinstalled it.) As my payment I get to use his computer at the lan party of my choice :)

Now we'll see how this thing really preforms ;) :)