What is Digg?130 Comments
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -12/+37Agreed. His attempts to spam digg begging for money on his site hit a brick wall, at least. Stuff like this pisses me off because he really didn't DO anything.
When I grew up, my family treated the computer as a toy. This meant that I was never allowed to use it becuase they saw it as something to reward/punish over. I might have gotten to use it for an hour every few months. That's it. Nobody else used it either, though. It just sat in a locked room and was never touched by any other member of the family.
I finally got tired of the BS and when I was about 14, I took all of my used books to a used book store and sold them. I collected used books from people who no longer wanted theirs. I sold those at a used bookstore, too. After much of this, I finally had enough money to buy a cheap ass 286 with a 10mb hard drive and a monocrhome (green) monitor and dual 5.25" floppies from a guy in the classified section of the Oregonian.
Then, I spruced it up, added some hardware to it and placed my own add in the Nickel Ads. I sold it for double what I paid to a couple that was going to college. I'm sure putting rented software on there (from Software Pipeline) was evil and wrong and illegal, but I was 14. So these people weren't getting ripped off necessarily, since they were getting more than I got when I bought it. Even if it was the wrong thing to do (hey, this was ages ago).
Then I took *that* money and went back to the guy I got the first computer from and got another one. This time it had a 20mb hard drive and a CGA monitor. Then I ran a multi-node BBS off of it and offered lots of cool door games. I got involved in the online community in in 1989 in the Portland metro area. I read Computer Bits magazine. I became acquainted with the sysops behind all the biggest BBSes in town. This is where I got my first real computer experience. I worked that computer over and inside out and was completely self-taught about everything.
A couple years later, I dropped out of the 9th grade and got a good paying tech job.
A couple years after that, I was hired by a big tech darling that everyone here knows and plenty probably work for and traveled to San Francisco -- making more money than anyone in my family and friends (except one). No formal education. No begging for a computer. No begging for money. Just hard work, a bit of cleverness and some tenacity.
It wasn't long after that when even my own mother apologized to me and said that I sure showed her and everyone else. They all thought I was some lazy slacker who was just going to play games on a computer and since they wouldn't let me use it, I went out on my own and did what I had to do and made a CAREER out of it. It's nice to have people tell you that they were wrong about you. :)
Today (almost 15 years since I went out and sold my book collection to fund my first computer), my newest machine (I have dozens) is a dual-core dual amd64 cpu setup with 4gb ram and a 7800 gtx that I bought on release day plugged into a 30" ACD. I have a $6,000 rackmount server sitting at a colo. I have a 17" fully loaded Powerbook on the desk next to me. And I make my living "playing around" with computers and software for a living.
I don't know if that would have happened it someone just GAVE me a computer when I was a kid or GAVE me money for one. I don't know that i would have held the same interest or desire or passion or determination if I hadn't done what i did to get what I needed. I think that's why a lot of kids in the last ten years don't have that mindset. They don't have to work for something they want. Their family just provides the computers to the household and it never occurs to anyone to use it for more than AIM and myspace. - falloutsyndrome, on 10/12/2007, -0/+17If the cpu is the brain of the computer, then this would call for a "Boom Headshot!"
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -5/+21I still remember when this guy was trying to spam his "please give me money for a computer" stuff on Digg.
Like I posted in the other submission of this digg earlier today, it's a real shame. Just like this kid really "needed" a G5 to do his video stuff on or whatever, I am very certain there is some other kid out there who would have really loved his used G4 and put it to very good use. - Cosmosis, on 10/12/2007, -3/+17Mirror Here:
http://dl.xferla.net/mirror/helpmegetag5.com/quicklarge.htm
It will be finished mirroring shortly.
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Want something mirrored? mark[at]xferla.net. - kenfagerdotcom, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11I heard the voices of millions of transistors crying out in pain and then suddenly silenced.
- valis, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11^ Actually, he sold tickets for a showing of his computer blowing up. That's a form of performance art. So his premise was to provide *entertainment* in return for a new computer. It was his computer to dispose of. If he hadn't blown it up, and gave it away instead, then it would be fraud.
- Cosmosis, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11Additional Mirror:
http://dl.nooob.com/mirror/helpmegetag5.com/quicklarge.htm
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Want something mirrored? mark[at]xferla.net. - phore, on 10/12/2007, -4/+12People gave him money so they could see his G4 blow up.
- TheGalacticFork, on 10/12/2007, -4/+12Now that's ***** rad that he went through with it.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10I would have took that G4 off his hands ;)
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8Based on your posting history seumus...forgive me if I call BS on this story. Getting a good tech job as a kid dropping out of high school in 9th grade?
*****. Not in the 90s. Yeah. some company is going to hire a 15-16 year olf high school dropout for anything but cleaning up their toilets. - tkdan235, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8I am happy that the owner of the site got the G5 and took the time to make a great video for it. It's rare to find people who follow through with projects that will not make them money... or did it? heh
- junkyinny, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8people dont understand.. the only reason people gave him money for this g5 was because he promised to blow up his g4... he couldnt donate it, wasnt his... and if he didnt blow it up, he wouldnt renig'd his promise, therefore scam the people.. he just fullfill the agreement. way to be! :)
- cleverboy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7Exactly. People who think that donating his computer would have been better are completely missing that fact that the "blowing up" of his computer is something that EARNED him the money to buy a new computer. While its senseless destruction (aw, yeaaaah!), it served its purpose, folks. --Really, really interesting video. Well done. I love it when people make silly things look like something important just by how well the silly thing is put together. Heh.
Edit: NICE EXPLOSION!!! :o) - LiquidRetro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Currently Uploading to Google Video
- godofpumpkins, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6needs a screen too, I take it :P
- bluefire0728, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I remember the posting on Digg awhile ago... it's great that he finally reached his goal, and it's great that he delivered what he promised... and I guess the video is cool as well.
- Gullop, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5seumas: Surely he is doing what you did. Using his brain to make some extra money, so he can buy things that will further his career?
- ClicknMiken, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4seumas, "the Intel thing" was not just rumoured, but officially announced by Apple more than 10 months ago (June 6th, 2005). Developers have been using Intel boxes with OS X on them for almost the same amount of time.
- amhed, on 10/12/2007, -5/+9If you want a new computer start working so you can buy one. If you don't want the old one simply donate it to someone who doesn't enough money so they can at least learn how to type on a keyboard or learn how to use a mouse.
- CheapDigWannbe, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4$-5000 just for the bandwith bill this month.... Dude you will need $.50 from 20,000 people.
- hypercrypt, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4And here:
http://web.bethere.co.uk/nil/mirrors/ThankYou.mov
:) - MindTrigger, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3
While this video was the coolest thing I have watched in at least a week, and it made me laugh...
You have to wonder how well his "profession" is going if he can't afford to buy his own G5.
Still, I do some workin video production for my job and personal use, and I found this one to be well done and entertaining. Props for the whole project, especially working a free G5 out of many suckers. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5The G4 that he blew up or the server the video is hosted on that digg blew up?
- pinnette, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3@seumas: First I want to say that I agree that if it was submitted to digg multiple times that was wrong. I hate spammers on here. Other than that, I really think your other objections to this are completely hypocritical when you pirated software to make money to buy a better computer. You also stated that you sold other people's used books to make money to buy the first computer. Did you go digging thru their trash or did you "beg" for their used books.
- retral, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Very well put together, and good video quality. A prop to these guys for blowing up a mac :)
I wonder how long it'll be until we see a "I need a Powermac Core-duo" version of this. - cleverboy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Eh. You know... the guy did a nice video, he asked the Internet for money, and the Internet provided. This is much much more appropriate to Digg than people might think, in my opinion. What would be inappropriate, is the latest "BuyMyBoobs" (breast enlargement operation) or eBay auctions on the outrageous... like people selling their forehead space for advertising, or worse, selling space on their baby (not that a certain casino minded). Instead, we have a guy looking to see if he can get money to buy a new computer, by entertaining people with visions of the current computer's destruction. WHY the HELL NOT? I didn't pay a dime, but I've downloaded the video for my iPod. The sites out there worse not mentioning are those sites that simply say "give me money", or worst... that site threatening to kill the site owner's pet bunny (cook him and eat him). The trend isn't going to stop, so let's stay aware anyway.
- Gullop, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3seumus: Those people that smash up the xbox 360s for money admitted they get more money from sponsors of the video and adverts on the web-site than the console is worth.
- lateralus, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5From the video:
"Kenima,
Vinny's brother Kevin. We call him Kenima because when he was ten years old, he tried to give himself an enima".
You can tell who the Mac users will be even at an ealy age. - Adorism, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I think everyone's just jealous that they didn't think of the stupid idea first and follow through. I know I wish I did.
- Yankees368, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2What song, Pink Floyd? Money?
- jiub, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Standard, yes the most expensive is $3,299, but remember this guy is an editor. I would guess he loaded it up with around 4GB's of RAM ( $700). Going to need much more than 250GB hard drive to do any serious editing ( $200 minimum?), and he probably got Final Cut Studio ( $1299).
- Gullop, on 10/12/2007, -4/+6You could say that about anyone who spends any money on fun though.
- Daryl209, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Is this video worth waiting for it to download?
- catoutfit, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4how long before he's blowing up his G5 for an Intel Mac?
- acevoncash, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3google video or somthing? this is sooooo slow.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4Cool! 'Splosions!
Seriously...for people who consider themselves intelligent, digg users sure are simple minded rednecks at heart. Can't wait for the submissions about the newest trucks with a Hemi, or various pimp my ride sites. - plamoni, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2www.helpmegetawebserverthatdoesntsuck.com :-)
- neondiet, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2
I really enjoyed this video. It was well structured, highly entertaining and a very professional piece of work. More than anything it was a good showcase for this guys editorial skills. - shadowmoses, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2this is $$$ happy he got the $5000 for his GFizz5le
- masimunes, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2was worth the download, its always fun seeing time put into blowing up hardware. hey it was 25 cents each, if people wanted to donate it more power to them, it was a good video, and 25 cents is well worth the entertainment value. the first mirror seems to be working pretty good.
- iamserious, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Anyone who complains that this video captures the wasting of a perfectly good resource is stuck.
I am uninterested in saving up pennies for a rainy day. I'd rather someone invent something better than pennies. And one of us will.
Resources-schmesources. Our man here earned his five grand on entertainment alone. If it upsets you, indeed, go picket Hollywood for blowing up EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME. Which, judging from box office figures, is also quite popular.
Outside the US, everyone looks at the entire US as being out of their frigging minds. And they are.
But it's wonderful! And you know what? Everything is working out. It may be unexplainable, and unpredictable, and unexpected, and that's what makes such surprises so terrific in the first place.
At the end of the day, most people begrudgingly accept everything working out. THAT'S life.
Schweet. - Yankees368, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Haha...that was actually pretty funny once it finally loaded.
- gometro33, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Or upgrades...
- buckykatt, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Well, someone's gotta pay for the explosives....
- Rageous, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Dude the soundtrack to this is ***** priceless. Especially when he busts out with the Disney Robin Hood theme song.
- Gullop, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4geminitojanus: Well he did use his brain, he knew that if he stuck at it, he would get $5000 free. He did, and most people here are just jealous.
- Daryl209, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2That was cool! The production was awesome and pretty funny too!
- zatrix, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2I like how it says "help me get a g5" but in reality what he was asking for was exactly enough money to by a g5, I guess somewhere along the way "help" started to mean "lets do all the work for him"
- cleverboy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Come on. I spent $5,000 on a Quadra 840av back when it came out. Yikes. I have a g4 that trumped it for $1,400 during that sale when the G4's were going out of style. Can't wait to get a nice new one... you know, when Apple gets around to making them. Replace both my Mac and PC!
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