It is hard at first to get a good customer base when selling custom built computers. The computers you build may be great, but how will people know about them? At first, the only computers you sell might only be to your closest friends and family. They will trust you enough to buy their computer from you. The good news is that if they think it is a good and solid computer, they will pass the word on to all of their friends. Then, if their friends buy computers, they will pass it on to even more people. After awhile, you will have a decent sized customer base.
After selling computers to your regular customers, you will probably build up enough money to start spending on some advertising. One of the best things to spend money on at this point is a website. A website will allow your customer base to share the news with others with ease. More people will visit your website, and if you have good information on it, and seem trustworthy, they will buy a computer from you. If more people visit your site, it will be ranked higher, and it will be available to even more people in search engines.
It is very important to use quality parts, if you are selling custom built computers. If you use generic parts, customers will probably be hesitant to buy the computer. If you use names like Asus, ATI, Nvidia, Intel, and AMD, names that are well known, you are likely to sell more computers. These parts will usually have good warranties, which is also a plus with customers.
Another important thing to keep in mind is pricing. You want to keep the initial cost of the parts needed to build the computer, as low as possible. By keeping the cost low, you can sell the computer for a lower price than competitors, and still make a decent profit. If you do not make a profit, then there is no point in selling custom built computers.
There is also the whole business side of things. What do you need to become a business? There is a lot involved with starting a business, and one thing you will probably want is a DBA (Doing Business As). This will allow you to cash and deposit checks written to your business name. It will allow customers to write the check to your business name as well. There are a lot of other business aspects that you can find more information on at Entrepreneur.com.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Custom Built PC: Tools and Skills
When it comes to home-built computers, very few tools are actually required for the building process. In most cases, the only tool needed for the job is a Phillips head screwdriver. The screwdriver will be used for securing the screws that will hold all of the hardware components in place, such as the motherboard, hard drive, optical drives, and all other components. The only other tool that may be required to prevent damage to the electronics of the computer parts is an anti-static wrist band. The anti-static wrist band can be placed around the wrist of the person working on the computer, and it redirects any static electricity to the metal that the wrist band is attached to. This prevents the unwanted electricity from traveling through the electronic components of the computer.
As with building anything, some skills are required to build a computer. However, the skills are not as advanced as some might think. When building a computer, most components are either fastened in place by screws, or simply snap or slide into place. The only skills required are lining up pins or screw holes, and pushing things into place without breaking them. Older computers require the use of a screwdriver for attaching the brackets of the processor fan to the motherboard. This has been simplified in the last few years, and most processor fans now snap onto the motherboard.
Knowledge is the best tool, when it comes to building a computer. Knowing specific part names, such as the motherboard, processor, hard drive, and memory, will be very helpful. Also, knowing what each part is used for will help ensure the right parts are used for the type of computer that is being built. It is also to know that some acronyms are interchangeable with part names. For example, a processor is also known as a CPU, and memory is also known as RAM. Other acronyms are used to describe the type of slot or connector the component uses, e.g. AGP, PCI, PCIE, PATA, and SATA.
As with building anything, some skills are required to build a computer. However, the skills are not as advanced as some might think. When building a computer, most components are either fastened in place by screws, or simply snap or slide into place. The only skills required are lining up pins or screw holes, and pushing things into place without breaking them. Older computers require the use of a screwdriver for attaching the brackets of the processor fan to the motherboard. This has been simplified in the last few years, and most processor fans now snap onto the motherboard.
Knowledge is the best tool, when it comes to building a computer. Knowing specific part names, such as the motherboard, processor, hard drive, and memory, will be very helpful. Also, knowing what each part is used for will help ensure the right parts are used for the type of computer that is being built. It is also to know that some acronyms are interchangeable with part names. For example, a processor is also known as a CPU, and memory is also known as RAM. Other acronyms are used to describe the type of slot or connector the component uses, e.g. AGP, PCI, PCIE, PATA, and SATA.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Portraits in Text and Sound
Geneva Tisdale has worked at Woolworth's Lunch Counter for years. She was working there when African Americans were allowed to clean and cook, but they were not allowed to serve food, and everyone knew that African Americans could not be served food either. Geneva remembers the day that four African Americans came to the lunch counter and asked to be served. At first she thought they were just trying to be funny, but they insisted on being served. More African Americans came in on the second day, and enough came in on the third day to fill up every seat at the lunch counter. On the sixth day, there were a thousand demonstrators at Woolworth's. They closed the counter and opened it back up two weeks later. After five months of negotiating, Woolworth's announced that they were changing their policy. The manager told Geneva and the other workers to dress like they were customers and order food at the lunch counter. So, they all ordered food, and ate it as quick as possible. Before the news reporters and photographers got there, Geneva and the other workers were back in uniform, and none of the media knew that the workers were the first African Americans to be served. Geneva said she has not had a meal at the lunch counter since that day. She dreamed of coming back one day with her grandchildren and being served, but the owner announced that the lunch counter would be closing. They told Geneva that she can work in the store, until that too closes. Geneva said she has been working for $5.50 an hour ever since she started working there. She said, "I feel like, sometimes, if a white person had this job, that person would get paid more than me. Just because of the color of their skin."
I think that listening to the interview is much better than reading the transcript. Listening to the interview gives you more of an idea about how Geneva feels about the story she is telling. She expresses a lot of emotion that is lost when reading the transcript. It is also important to hear the story from Geneva, because she experienced it first hand as an African American. She can tell the story as it happened, and she can tell about all of the things that were only experienced by the workers.
Related Links
Sound Portraits
I think that listening to the interview is much better than reading the transcript. Listening to the interview gives you more of an idea about how Geneva feels about the story she is telling. She expresses a lot of emotion that is lost when reading the transcript. It is also important to hear the story from Geneva, because she experienced it first hand as an African American. She can tell the story as it happened, and she can tell about all of the things that were only experienced by the workers.
Related Links
Sound Portraits
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Today's Front Pages
Sunday Searchlight
Redding, California
There are two main stories on the front page of this paper. The first is "School losses ease," and it is about the loss of enrolled students decreasing. The article states that the schools in Shasta County, California have only lost 100 students this year. This is down from a loss of 450 students in the previous year. Another story is "Bridging slow times." It tells how bridge construction in Sacramento has affected businesses in the surrounding area. The businesses have suffered from weak sales, since the construction started.
According to the headlines of this newspaper, it seems like California is concerned about the issues that affect the community. The first article tries to look at a bad situation in a positive way, by saying that the amount of student loss is decreasing. The second article looks at another community issue, bridge construction. The article tries to appeal to the feeling of the people of the community, by telling of the situation’s negative affect on the community.
Des Moines Sunday Register
Des Moines, Iowa
"Why Ethanol Must Bulk Up to Compete" is the headline story in this paper. The article tells how vehicles that use ethanol get less gas mileage. Ethanol also has many competitors, ranging from hydrogen to natural gas. Another headline story is "Steep student loan debt affects lifestyles, dreams." The article says that people in Iowa have such a steep debt from student loans; that they are giving up dream jobs and buying a house, just so they can pay off their debt.
The headlines of this paper suggest that Iowa is concerned not only with the issues that affect the communities or the state, but are also interested in how the issues of the entire country are being solved. The article about ethanol talks about the issue of rising gas prices, and gives reasons why ethanol is not the answer to the problem. It also lists better alternatives, to show how the issue is being taken care of. The second article talks about the problem of student debt, and how it has a negative impact on the students in Iowa, showing the concern for the problems that affect the state.
The Post-Standard
Syracuse, New York
The main article in this paper is about President Bush's advisers supporting Bush's decision to keep troops in Iraq. The article is called, "Bush Advisers: Don't Rush Exit." Another big article on the front page has a headline that reads: "14-year-old, stabbed through heart, Comes Home." A boy was standing up to someone at school, and was stabbed through the heart. Miraculously, he survived, and the story tells of his return home.
This paper looks at an issue that affects the whole country, and then tries to look at another situation to put a positive spin on things. The first article shows the dissatisfaction and disappointment that most people feel toward the President. Then, the second article looks at a bad situation in appositive way, by telling how a boy survived a stab through the heart, and is returning home.
Stars and Stripes
Europe
There are only two stories on the front page of this paper. The first one, "Crime rate at Europe AF bases remains low," says that Europe's Air Force Bases have always had a low crime rate, and this year is no different. The second story is called, "Good times at Bad Dürkheim." This story talks about people having a good time and listening to the German oompah band at a Sausage Market Festival in Germany.
This European newspaper seems to focus on the positive things. Even though the crime rate has not gotten lower at Europe’s Air Force bases, the bases have maintained the low crime rate, and this is a positive thing. The second story focuses on people enjoying a good time and good entertainment at the Sausage Market Festival, which is also a positive thing.
Irish Examiner
Ireland
"McCann offered jail deal if she confesses," is the headline story of this paper. Apparently police have offered a woman a sentence of two years or less of jail time, if she confesses to murdering her 4-year-old daughter. Another article, "No safe level of alcohol in pregnancy," warns women that no amount of alcohol is safe to drink during pregnancy. This article was written after a surprising study found that most women in Ireland drank half of the maximum recommended amount of alcohol, while pregnant.
The first story seems like it is just a story that most media around the area is concerned with currently. However, the second article, and the other smaller articles are sort of surprising, especially to someone living in the United States. Some of the smaller articles are about alcohol poisoning and even the death of a certain woman, due to drinking too much alcohol. To add to those stories though, the second article I talked about is warning women about drinking while pregnant, because a new study proved that no amount is safe to drink when pregnant. This shows that possibly the people in Ireland are almost oblivious of the affects of alcohol, or at least they have been.
Related Links
Newseum
Redding, California
There are two main stories on the front page of this paper. The first is "School losses ease," and it is about the loss of enrolled students decreasing. The article states that the schools in Shasta County, California have only lost 100 students this year. This is down from a loss of 450 students in the previous year. Another story is "Bridging slow times." It tells how bridge construction in Sacramento has affected businesses in the surrounding area. The businesses have suffered from weak sales, since the construction started.
According to the headlines of this newspaper, it seems like California is concerned about the issues that affect the community. The first article tries to look at a bad situation in a positive way, by saying that the amount of student loss is decreasing. The second article looks at another community issue, bridge construction. The article tries to appeal to the feeling of the people of the community, by telling of the situation’s negative affect on the community.
Des Moines Sunday Register
Des Moines, Iowa
"Why Ethanol Must Bulk Up to Compete" is the headline story in this paper. The article tells how vehicles that use ethanol get less gas mileage. Ethanol also has many competitors, ranging from hydrogen to natural gas. Another headline story is "Steep student loan debt affects lifestyles, dreams." The article says that people in Iowa have such a steep debt from student loans; that they are giving up dream jobs and buying a house, just so they can pay off their debt.
The headlines of this paper suggest that Iowa is concerned not only with the issues that affect the communities or the state, but are also interested in how the issues of the entire country are being solved. The article about ethanol talks about the issue of rising gas prices, and gives reasons why ethanol is not the answer to the problem. It also lists better alternatives, to show how the issue is being taken care of. The second article talks about the problem of student debt, and how it has a negative impact on the students in Iowa, showing the concern for the problems that affect the state.
The Post-Standard
Syracuse, New York
The main article in this paper is about President Bush's advisers supporting Bush's decision to keep troops in Iraq. The article is called, "Bush Advisers: Don't Rush Exit." Another big article on the front page has a headline that reads: "14-year-old, stabbed through heart, Comes Home." A boy was standing up to someone at school, and was stabbed through the heart. Miraculously, he survived, and the story tells of his return home.
This paper looks at an issue that affects the whole country, and then tries to look at another situation to put a positive spin on things. The first article shows the dissatisfaction and disappointment that most people feel toward the President. Then, the second article looks at a bad situation in appositive way, by telling how a boy survived a stab through the heart, and is returning home.
Stars and Stripes
Europe
There are only two stories on the front page of this paper. The first one, "Crime rate at Europe AF bases remains low," says that Europe's Air Force Bases have always had a low crime rate, and this year is no different. The second story is called, "Good times at Bad Dürkheim." This story talks about people having a good time and listening to the German oompah band at a Sausage Market Festival in Germany.
This European newspaper seems to focus on the positive things. Even though the crime rate has not gotten lower at Europe’s Air Force bases, the bases have maintained the low crime rate, and this is a positive thing. The second story focuses on people enjoying a good time and good entertainment at the Sausage Market Festival, which is also a positive thing.
Irish Examiner
Ireland
"McCann offered jail deal if she confesses," is the headline story of this paper. Apparently police have offered a woman a sentence of two years or less of jail time, if she confesses to murdering her 4-year-old daughter. Another article, "No safe level of alcohol in pregnancy," warns women that no amount of alcohol is safe to drink during pregnancy. This article was written after a surprising study found that most women in Ireland drank half of the maximum recommended amount of alcohol, while pregnant.
The first story seems like it is just a story that most media around the area is concerned with currently. However, the second article, and the other smaller articles are sort of surprising, especially to someone living in the United States. Some of the smaller articles are about alcohol poisoning and even the death of a certain woman, due to drinking too much alcohol. To add to those stories though, the second article I talked about is warning women about drinking while pregnant, because a new study proved that no amount is safe to drink when pregnant. This shows that possibly the people in Ireland are almost oblivious of the affects of alcohol, or at least they have been.
Related Links
Newseum
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