Re: getting experience with expensive tools

[Jay Maechtlen <techwriter -at- covad -dot- net>]

Tom Johnson wrote:
> Would it be feasible to buy a relatively inexpensive desktop computer for
> $400 that you just reformat every time your trial version expires (and then
> reinstall)? That would work as long as you kept the executable files for the
> trial versions on a separate USB drive or something. One problem is that
> some trial versions are limited. For example, Flare scrambles the text. Wish
> it didn't do that.
>
> Tom
>
>   
You could keep a spare computer (use A-B switch if you don't have room 
for a second work station)
Configure the system sans any time-limited stuff (well, aside from Windoze )
Make an image from that to another drive then install your trial stuff.
When done with the trial, wipe the drive and image from the backup.
Saves you from actually doing the install of Windows, service packs, etc.

FWIW: I picked up a used machine at the local electronics swap meet for 
$100.
It's a 3.2 GHz Dell with XP Pro. Dual core. Retired from some business 
establishment that really should have cleaned the hard drive much 
better. Anyway, it only had 512MB ram, but I had an extra stick around, 
so it has 1 GB now. Only a 40GB drive, but lots of room for a second drive.
Runs two instances of World Community Grid faster than my XP2500 runs 
one instance!

Cheers
Jay

-- 
Jay Maechtlen
626 444-5112 office
626 840-8875 cell
www.laserpubs.com

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