Message-ID: <278@sjuvax.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 30-Apr-84 16:20:40 EDT
Article-I.D.: sjuvax.278
Posted: Mon Apr 30 16:20:40 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 6-May-84 01:18:40 EDT
References: <10400137@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Organization: Saint Josephs Univ. Phila., Pa.
Lines: 51

>>      My parents are going to buy me a computer for graduation, but we
>>  don't know much about them . I am in CS and know that this is a big
>>  investment for my future. Can anyone reccommend one which is not too
>>  expensive but would be able to fulfil my needs in the future(such as
>>  connecting up with other computers via phone, fast baud rate, etc.).
>>  
>>  
>>                           jim

Best Computer for you to buy at this time - none.

Reasons as follow :

Currently you may be interested in Computers, but this may change
once you are in College.  As a present teacher, and past TA, I have
seen plenty of students who changed their minds about majoring in
CSI following the first x semesters.

Buying a Computer now means that you pay full list for it.  If you
buy one in College, you can
	i.  Make a more educated decision as to your requirements.
	ii. Avail of substantial discounts that may be offered.  Some
	    schools are offering the Apple MAC for about the same
	    price as the ][e.  The Univ. I am currently at, is giving
	    a 62% discount to its students to buy the DEC Rainbow
	    (not my decision).  
	    You can probably get more Computer for your Cash.

	iii. Just hacking around with a Personal at this moment is
	     probably not going to help you too much with your future
	     plans.  One of the favourite gripes of TA's that I spoke
	     was the "Know it all *ssh*l*" Who generally wrote 
	     goddawful code, and was certain that there was nothing
	     left for them to learn.  Also, don't be so certain that
	     a Computer Course/knowledge is necessary from the
	     high school level.  I had never SEEN a computer till I
	     found myself in Grad School in an MS program (due to
	     a set of rather unusual circumstances). My case may be
	     pathological, but I'm sure its not all that uncommon.

Anyhow, best of luck in your choice.

PS.  Send me flames for inappropriateness of posting this.  I love
	mail.

Regards,
-- 


				Binayak Banerjee
		{allegra | astrovax | bpa | burdvax}!sjuvax!bbanerje