I’m an avid reader of digg.com and as I was perusing their site today I came across an interesting post by user gwjc.  Basically it talked about the new world - post 9/11 (WW4 assuming WW3 was the Cold War).  How we’re now fighting a war without a front, against enemies with no established bases, etc.

The key thing to take away I think is to remember that our world is now a scary place.  We no longer face the complete annihilation that would come if the Cold War had turned hot.  However, we do have a war that can come right into our backyards - as 9/11 proved.  It’s hard to believe that less then 2 months from now will be the 5 year anniversary of the event that changed our generation’s lives.  Sometimes I forget about it and how different our lives are because of it.

It’s hard to think of something that hasn’t already been said about this topic or something that isn’t cliche.  I just think that reminders like this are important - so that we never forget.  As horrific as it is to think about those events and bring them back into our consciousness, it’s worse to forget about them or think that things are different today - those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.

And support the troops.  I don’t agree with our reasons to go to war in Iraq (especially in hindsight) but I do value the fact that there are people out there brave enough to place their lives in danger so others can be free.

So I’m like most tech guys.  I got a lot of cool toys.  Including 2 main computers - the desktop and laptop.  Built the desktop with my cousin (my first time, done them by myself since then) and got some great deals.  Basically the same Alienware or XPS type setup you’d get for around $3500 for less then half that.  Got the LCD, the scanner/printer/copier, P4 with HyperThreading, video card, sound card, etc.  Specs aren’t important.

But like any expensive endeavor you always have to watch out for the ‘lowest common denominator.’  At the heart of these great beasts are the motherboards.  Basically, they’re like your mother - they keep everyone in line and keep the show running smoothly.  Until the $40 motherboard in your expensive computer goes kaput.  You go from having a sick gaming / programming station to a 4 digit paperweight.  Fun times.

So now I’m reduced to the laptop.  Not so bad considering I bought it after and it’s a pretty nice machine itself.  But you’d think with a degree in computer science, the knowledge to build the computer in the first place and all my ‘tech savvy’ I wouldn’t be done in with a simple $40 part.  It’s so ironic it’s funny.

Next time I’ll buy the smaller LCD and invest in a better motherboard.  Lesson learned.  Plus, the little bonus that it overheated my video card and warped it’s fan.  So that’s another fun fix I have to do.  Right now I’m trying to just not perform a little percussive maintenance (physical violence + delicate computer == trouble).

Ever been done in by a ‘lowest common denominator’ - computer or otherwise?  Loose lugnut on a new tire, extra part on your entertainment system that later fell over, etc?