Tech Sabbatical Status Report - Halfway There!

[Jon Westfall]

Well, I don't know how many have wondered, but I thought you all might like a quick blurb on how I'm doing on the <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/index.php?topic_id=41238"> tech sabbatical </a> I undertook in July to end October 1. So far so good actually, with a few exceptions that I think were warranted:<br /><br />1. I purchased some CD-R's in late July, as well as a case &amp; belt holster for my cell phone. Total cost of all 3 was around $40.<br /><br />2. Every August, as part of my yearly home network maintenance, I re-configure my in home server farm (The true test of geekness, how many test servers do you have at home?) Why August you say? Well as any academic knows, August is a great time to do things you know you won't have time to do from September - December! My re-install media is on DVD, and I had no DVD reader for actual desktop computers. I picked one up on Ebay for $20, and it will become a floating reader for my 3 servers. Since the purpose of my tech sabbatical was to avoid impulse technology purchases (i.e. $20 here and there for software, PPC accessories, PPCs, etc..), I believe this is justified.<br /><br />Unfortunately, in August maintenance, my spreadsheet was lost where I was tracking this stuff. From memory, I know I had totaled up around $100 - $150 of savings in not buying software / accessories. There were quite a few temptations... <!> <br /><br />1. Jason mentioned <a href="http://www.4smartphone.net/affiliates.aspx?go=referal&ref=JD10726">4smartphone</a>, which looked really really nice to have. Unfortunately, at $80 for years worth of service, it would have been a for-sure no-no on the sabbatical. My solution - reconfigure my in-house servers to do much the same thing for free (just a pain to configure...)<br /><br />2. Less than 3 friggin days after I went on this thing, Reef Wars was priced at $1. Normally this wouldn't have been even a thought - buy and play, but I held off.<br /><br />3. Innobeck SideWindow was released, software that I believe I would really enjoy using at work where my PPC is right next to my flat panel and would make a great home for Trillian. Since I can't buy, I'm not even letting myself play with this one for temptation, so I'll download a trial in October.<br /><br />4. System Admin Appreciation day rolled around, and quite frankly, I appreciate myself enough that I would have probably bought something off my wishlist at ThinkGeek. <br /><br />5. I posted a link to a review on the Game AncientEvil, that would have been a definitely download and most likely buy.<br /><br />6. There were a few Smartphone apps I would have snagged, as well as a few deals at local stores, however the specifics have been forgotten.<br /><br />All in all, I think I'm doing a fairly good job, and have noticed a difference in my monthly bottom line for July - a good thing. A few major challenges lie ahead of me. My servers need a bit of retrofitting since one hasn't been upgraded since June of 2001 (Ever see a P2 350 Mhz running Windows 2000 Server? It isn't pretty... but is functional), so I need to keep an eye on myself to be sure that any expenditures are logical, not impulsive, and serve the greater good job wise (i.e. I need email to work, I don't need to play new games or burn DVDs). <br /><br />I know I had a few supporters early on, anyone stay with me on it? Anyone inspired to join up for the last 47 days?

[MitchellO]

Sounds like your doing pretty well!

[graybip]

I have had a pocketpc for about a year and you got mt thinking about how much money I've spent in softwear--alot! I decided to get the 2004 softwear package from pocketpc magazine so I can play w/o the continued financial drain. Thanks for the reminder.

[Paragon]

Good going, Jon! You must be hoping and praying that none of the WM5.0 devices hit the shelves before Oct. 1st. ;)

Dave

[squeeze]

okay this sounds like a lot of fun...i have considered but i just went on a shopping spree over the past 4 weeks so it may not be fair.

~ Samsung i730
~ Philips 32" LCD HDTV
~ All the SPB software ititles
~ Ultimate Ears EB in_ear_canal bids
~ Sony DSC M-1 digital camera
~ 2 1GB Mem Stick Duos
~ 2 new suits 10 shirts 6 ties
~ 2 new allen edmonds shoes from the Nordy's sale

I am depressed now to see the amex balance....

[MG]

Jon, good job! I can't imagine the amount of temptations you face on a daily basis given the amount a tech your already possess (server farm).

Squeeze, nice shopping spree!

I too have falling under the spell of the i730, the only thing causing me to wait is the possibility of a camera version. (although, that is less likely now) My only tech purchase has been a copy of M$ Money Premium so I can figure out where all my money is going! :D

This of course, should help me to buy more tech! :D :D

Mark

[Steven Cedrone]

I haven't bought ANYTHING since I decided to join you! Nya, nya, nya! :p

[gtmtnbiker98]

I have four servers at home for break and fix pleasure.

[Phillip Dyson]

Good going Jon,

I love it when people (especially myself) take matters into their own hands and prove that they are in control.

A week ago I found myself in withdraw from caffeine because I was too busy to get a cup of coffee. So I decided to go caffeine free for a few days.

Anyway, it sounds like you're on track. Keep up the good work.

[DaleReeck]

Spreadsheet lost? Irony - using technology to keep track of your sabbatical from technology :D

[MitchellO]

Spreadsheet lost? Irony - using technology to keep track of your sabbatical from technology :D

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Jon Westfall]

I haven't bought ANYTHING since I decided to join you! Nya, nya, nya! :p

ANYTHING? Must be a pain surviving without food.... :mrgreen:

[Darius Wey]

I haven't bought ANYTHING since I decided to join you! Nya, nya, nya! :p

You know, I was almost in the same boat, until "Guild Wars" - that devil of an addiction got me in the end. ;)

Anyway, nice to see you're maintaining some sort of sanity, Jon. :mrgreen:

[lapchinj]

... how many test servers do you have at home?...
4 that are up and running that I use for development and 1 that I try new distros on.

...Since the purpose of my tech sabbatical was to avoid impulse technology purchases (i.e. $20 here and there for software, PPC accessories, PPCs, etc..), I believe this is justified.
I was always bad at differentiating impulse technology from justified technology. I always find a way to justify an impulse.

...All in all, I think I'm doing a fairly good job...
I know I had a few supporters early on, anyone stay with me on it? Anyone inspired to join up for the last 47 days?
Yeah looks real good from here - I'm impressed. I've sort have been in the closet about going along with you on this. I've been pretty good myself but have been staying in the closet just in case I break down. This way I wouldn't have to live with getting any flak about it. Worst case scenario would be if I did buy something and nobody knew about it it should take me only a day or two to justify my impulse (or loose my spreadsheet if need be :wink: ).

Jeff-

[Steven Cedrone]

ANYTHING? Must be a pain surviving without food.... :mrgreen:

Yes, I've been able to shed those unwanted pounds! :wink:

[dazz]

Ya know, I can't help but feel this is a real insult to many including myself. There are a LOT of people that can barely afford the little bit of tech they own but here you are documenting your monumental struggle to not buy any gear for 2 and a half months. At the same time you are pointing out how much you normally buy.

I don't begrudge anyone their financial situation, it just seems odd to aggrandize your purchasing sabatical. Maybe if it was for a year... :wink:

Not trying to be rude here, just saying what I feel.

[Jon Westfall]

Ya know, I can't help but feel this is a real insult to many including myself. There are a LOT of people that can barely afford the little bit of tech they own but here you are documenting your monumental struggle to not buy any gear for 2 and a half months. At the same time you are pointing out how much you normally buy.

I don't begrudge anyone their financial situation, it just seems odd to aggrandize your purchasing sabatical. Maybe if it was for a year... :wink:

Not trying to be rude here, just saying what I feel.

If it makes you feel any better, my financial situation isn't exactly one that lets me throw money at any new technology that comes around. Being 22 and living on a graduate assistant's stipend and the few odd consulting jobs keeps me always looking at the bottom line. This was meant to be an interesting experiment, and to help save some money here and there. I'm sorry if it has insulted you.

[lapchinj]

...I don't begrudge anyone their financial situation...Not trying to be rude here...
No offense taken of course but you have to see the other side. Everyone has a pastime that at some point has to be fed with money.

Some people like to put money into cars, stamps, coins, gardens, fish/fishing or some other turn-me-on type of pasttime. I for one love computer technology, love writing code to make computers do things and love the PPC because it makes the bleeding edge of technoloy affordable and exciting. While I don't make a living with my PPC I do make a living writing code for larger machines that I cannot afford to have as a pasttime.

Jay Leno has been bitten by the car collector bug. But then he's in a class not many of us can join in on and are left with ooing and ahhing at a cover story in some mag.

And compared to the money people spend with some other pasttimes I think that the PPC has got something for everyone and at the right price. And being froogle is all part of any pasttime and why not share that 'froogality' a little with others

Jeff-

[dazz]

Jeff,

I know you are right on this and really did not mean to seem nasty or anything.

Truth is, if I had the money I would buy more gear. But, with a wife, three young kids and the usual bevy of bills. :wink:

It wouldn't have thought it strange to talk about what everyone is buying, but to talk about saving money by not buying for two months just seemed strange. Many here may not be able to make any mobile gear purchases for a year or more, and not by choice. I've been there myself.

Again, I want to stress that I am not trying to make a big deal of this, just pointing out that there should be some sensitivity.

[Phillip Dyson]

Again, I want to stress that I am not trying to make a big deal of this, just pointing out that there should be some sensitivity.

I'm sure you don't mean to but it sounds a bit like Jon or other participants in this thread are being judged.

Its common for people who have means or the ability to get what they want to be made to feel guilty for doing so. If we can't talk about our "tech addiction" here on an enthusiast website, then where should we do it? Behind closed doors in secret? I haven't read any posts where someone is putting down those who can't afford (for whatever reason) the latest technology.

I think the bottom line is that we all put it in perspective. I would think that this thread in particular is about fun and curiosity. Lets keep it light.
:wink:

$.02

[dazz]

sojourner,

Not sure you read my post properly. I stressed that I am not making issue with people who have, at all. I buy as much mobile gear as I am able and would do more if I could afford to.

My point is, I would not go to someone that wanted that technology but could not afford it and tell them how I decided to not buy 4 new shiny PDAs and how rough it has been to adstain, when the person in front of me bought their last PDA 3 years ago.

Ya know what, let's drop it. I was just pointing out that I thought it strange. I did not want to make a big issue of it. Done.
!

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Jon, another big test will be to see if you can maintain a steady pace after you complete your sabbatical. I know in my experience that if I go long periods without buying new hardware in equipment, I have a tendency to "make up" for it afterwards by over-splurging!!

[Phillip Dyson]

Jon, another big test will be to see if you can maintain a steady pace after you complete your sabbatical. I know in my experience that if I go long periods without buying new hardware in equipment, I have a tendency to "make up" for it afterwards by over-splurging!!

Although I didn't go as long as Jon, I was able to maintain an even pace after wards.

Though to be honest, my effort was more to "reset" myself back to my conservative ways.

But that sounds like a good idea. I don't think we should disconnect the heart monitor immediately at the end of October. Perhaps we should hold Jon for observation for a month or two. :wink:

[ctmagnus]

Perhaps we should hold Jon for observation for a month or two. :wink:

I'm picturing a guy that looks like Jon (not that I've ever seen a picture of him or anything) in a cage, jumping up and down, acting like a chimpanzee ;)

[Jon Westfall]

Jon, another big test will be to see if you can maintain a steady pace after you complete your sabbatical. I know in my experience that if I go long periods without buying new hardware in equipment, I have a tendency to "make up" for it afterwards by over-splurging!!

Although I didn't go as long as Jon, I was able to maintain an even pace after wards.

Though to be honest, my effort was more to "reset" myself back to my conservative ways.

But that sounds like a good idea. I don't think we should disconnect the heart monitor immediately at the end of October. Perhaps we should hold Jon for observation for a month or two. :wink:

Well, to be honest I have only a few things on my "probably buy in October" list, and I don't suspect I'll go nuts. Here's the list so far:

1. SideWindow (Provided that it works the way I hope to use it)
2. WM 2005 upgrade, whenever that comes out.
3. New 160 GB hard drive, but only if I can get it for under $60 after rebate

But if you're worried, ask me November 1 to give you the last 30 days of purchases ;)

[Jon Westfall]

Perhaps we should hold Jon for observation for a month or two. :wink:

I'm picturing a guy that looks like Jon (not that I've ever seen a picture of him or anything) in a cage, jumping up and down, acting like a chimpanzee ;)

For the record:

1. I don't jump or hang out in cages

and

2. http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/assets/common/FileObject/jpg.gif jonatcp.jpg (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/media/users/10908/jonatcp.jpg) (Size: 96.7 KB)

[Jonathon Watkins]

Good on you Jon! 8) Glad to see you have the discipline to keep going. I think I've been joining you in the 'non-purchasing-tech-things', albeit accidentally. :wink:

[Cybrid]

Keep up up the good work....Jon! :)
Personally, I....um went the opposite route, :wink:

Street and Trips 2005 (an upgrade from 2003)
TV card (I keep missing all my shows 'cause of work.)
Two ipaq 3630's for the kids to cut their teeth on....
Netfront 3.2, I need something to complement PIE for the mobile surfing I do.
A Casio E-125 to extend the use of my Casio specific GPS, Cam, etc. (my old one died the day after my b-day) :(
Celeris' virtual pool (Last game I bought prior was Ziosoft SIMCITY, years ago.)
Iliumsoft's $1 special on E-Wallet to replace Handango's Vault which was designed for PPC2000 devices and is seriously glitchy on X50v

That's my justifications and I'm sticking to it :lol:

[Steven Cedrone]

Well, I had to bite the bullet! :? My laptop died and I needed to rebuild it from the ground up. Make a long story short, I had to buy Money 2006 because I could not locate my disks and I didn't have the time to search for days/weeks for it. :( But, as I was thinking about this thread, I only bought the standard edition! I'll upgrade later to the premium! :wink: :way to go: