Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Quote of the Day ‘Do what you love, love what you do, and deliver more than you promise.’ - Harvey McKay Monoat, March 13,2000 ©lintCOdt S ft method to computer madness by Mackenzie Craven Assistant etCetera Editor Shopping for that perfect PC? How many megabytes can be bought for the almighty buck today? Is that camera accessory re ally something useable on a daily basis? With so many options available, shopping for a computer can be a nightmare. But, there is a simple solution: Take one step at a time and know exactly what the computer is for and how it needs to be used. Some students are familiar enough with computers to know that the more memory a computer has and the higher quality of processor, the better the computer. A computer’s memory is where it holds data waiting to be processed. When computers were created, memory was stored as random access memory, or RAM. Today, modem computers store memo ry as SDRAM, or synchronous dynamic random access memory. SDRAM divides the RAM into each department, then deposits momnrv romiocfc tn thp PflrhHpnartmonf -J-, l While one bank serves up the memory value, the SDRAM sends a command to the other bank. A computer with 100 MHz issues 100 requests per second. Gateway and Dell systems are similar. The memory of a Gateway computer priced at $999 has 32 mb of SDRAM. Dell offers a similar system at the same price, but it has twice the memory. However, clients can purchase double the memory for $45 more. Gateway clients can negotiate the amount of memory their computer have. Gateway also offers the America On line Internet service, along with its 433 MHz package. But, if a college student is using an Ethernet card, they don’t need the AOL service and can apply the cost of the ser . vice to double their memory. The Compaq Presario 7470 offers the same amount of memory as the Dell - 64 mb at 100 MHz - but it also comes with a Logitech QuickCam in the package. Another important component is the processor unit, which functions as the brain of the computer. The faster the proces sor, the faster the computer will be. But, even though the Compaq processor is 533 MHz and the Dell processor is 550 MHz, for that extra camera, the consumer might be willing to compromise and get a computer that’s a little slower. A hard drive stores the information needed from session to ses sion. The size of the hard drive should be what the consumer looks for during selection. Modem computers have the AT Attachment interface, which integrates the controller on the disk drive for faster performance and improved reliability. CD-ROMs for the Gateway and the Dell are exactly the same. The main purpose for the CD-ROM is to read the drive, so processing for the drive isn’t necessary. The Compaq has a CD RW, which provides CD writing in addition to the reading of the drive. The Gateway and Compaq both have bigger hard drives than the Dell. But, the Dell has a faster processor. Consumers need to know what components are most important for their purchase. When deciding between one or two computers, the consumer must look at service and sound systems as deal-breakers. To save a lot of time and useless energy, here is the long and short of those factors. The Dell offers a PCI Sound Blaster system, which is part of the actual computer. On the other hand, the Gateway offers an in tegrated system that isn’t necessarily part of the PC. The Compaq offers the RioPort Audio Manager, a type of software. Don’t be fooled by the lingo, though. Basically, all the systems are simple sound systems. If consumers are looking for a unique system, they should plan on upgrading any of these types of systems. Regarding service, Gateway offers the most help with the PC hands down, and Compaq offers the least. Consumers must de cide which factor is most important to them, however. The best way to find that fantasy computer is to log on to the Internet. Nearly every computer company has a site where pros and cons of different types can be viewed and computer users can decide exactly what they want. After a quick telephone call, a client can find the packages to be very flexible. Processor_memory Hard nriue_CD-Rom-Sound System—Sendee Gateway Intel Celeron 32IRB 10GB 17X min./40X Integrated 1 year parts and $999 433 mHZ SDRam 5400 RPm max Audio Pci 128D labor; 1 year on expandable Ultra ATA site service, 1 to 250 mB year hardware Dell Intel Pentium 64IDB 4.3 GBx2 17X IDin./40X Sound Blaster 1 gear at home $999 III Processor SDRamat Ultra RTR max 64U Pci. service; 3 year at 550 mHZ 100IRHZ 5400 RPm limited warranty Compaq 533IDHZ 64 mB 20 GB CD-RUI drive RioPort Audio Carry-in during $849 AI1ID R6-2 100 mHZ RTR/66 manager warranty; TOLL Processor Sync DRflm Ultra DIRA number for one I year. Miranda LaLonde The Gamecock Surviving a breakup to find life after love by Ricky DeLeon Staff Writer Many cliches describe it, from “all good things must end” to “breaking up is hard to do.” There’s the question of post-relationship t friendship or maybe even future hopes of getting back together. But no matter the outcome, for most people, breaking up is a chore. “It may be one of the hardest things to do,” said music sophomore Chris Lebhar. “But it is sometimes necessary.” Jacqueline Hands, a journalism sophomore, said, “Once the seed of doubt is planted, it will grow from small jealousies and other little things.” There are many reasons people break up, with no one reason be ing easier to swallow than another. But with a broad stretch from “I’m not ready for commitment” to “You make me sick,” can you ever be ready to handle the situation? “Sometimes, people just outgrow one another,” Lebhar added. A couple usually outgrow one another, when they grow up. For example, a “perfect couple” can make it through high school and break up when they get to college just because they grew up and they changed. Valeria Marisio, a public relations sophomore, said, “Sometimes you start dating someone and you realize that this person is nothing ^ of what they seemed. Somehow, things change, and things change P them.” Another reason can, of course, be distance. Again, the perfect high school couple go to different colleges, and the distance is just too much for them. They break up because neither can deal with a long-distance relationship So, then the question moves from “Why?” to “How?” The method used to break the news will have a strong effect on the former signif icant other. There are many ways to break up with someone - the phone, an e-mail or in person. There are pros and cons to each of these, but of course none of them are easy. Breaking up through e-mail is just cruel; the computer is not per sonal at all. So between the phone call and in-person breakup, the phone call is the lesser of two evils. “A phone call is not that bad of an idea. That way, if one starts to get emotional, the other won’t necessarily see it and start a chain re action,” Lebhar said. “E-mails are harsh, while a phone call is better. But breaking up face-to-face shows a lot about your character and how much you care for that person,” Marisio said. And finally, there is the question of post-breakup friendship. In an ideal world, it would exist. “You may hope for friendship, but, in reality, that rarely ever hap pens,” Lebhar said. If the foundation of the relationship is solid, friendship can last af ter the breakup. However, if the foundation of the relationship is unstable, the breakup will put a crack in it and a friendship probably won’t last. “Honestly?” Hands asked. “[After the breakup, the relationship] will never be the same.” “Breaking up has become a ritual for society,” a correspondent from DrDrew.com said. “It almost seems as if you are not normal un less you have experienced the ending of a relationship at least twice. There are all sorts of reasons, ranging from ‘you’re not the same person’ to ‘we’re moving too fast.’ And then you see what your partner is like, whether they tell you face-to-face or send you an e mail explaining that they just don’t like you anymore.” Can there be friendship after a breakup? “As much as people say they will be friends, only a fraction of those people will continue to be friends,” he concluded. “Things will not be the same after breaking up.” Editor’s Note: Ann Marie Miani contributed to this article. Welcome Bacf^Students •* THppOli FINE CLEANERS SSet' j/ S'brve/ taJce/ ca/ie/o^/cMy&uA/ d/itf/cl&cMtMig/j anti/ aM&tci£i<MV rve&db/! tyili&tv^4)41/ chooM/ ^Pirie/ ^l&cute^y ...tfous*n& chcA&n/ Ifae/flitv&Ui § m 830 Harden Street in the Heart of Five Points • 254-7373 • 13 Columbia Area Locations • Same day Service • • Fluff and Fold • Student Accounts Welcome • / \ Campus Notes Homecoming 2000 holds interest meeting Homecoming 2000 wil hold a brief in formational meeting at 6:30 p.m. to day in the Golden Spur. Any group in terested in participating should send one representative. For more informa tion, call Carolina Productions at 777 7130. Beta Alpha Psi offers income tax assistance Beta Alpha Psi will be offering volunteer income tax assistance from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Russell House through April 13. Criminal Justice offers - study abroad program The College of Criminal Justice is of fering students the opportunity to study criminal justice in Russia for two weeks (May 11-27) at one of Russia’s leading criminal justice academies - the Vol gograd Law Institute. The application deadline is March 31. For more infor mation, call Rob Rinker at 777-7097 or send an e-mail to asstkah@gwm.sc.edu. Outstanding Women applications available Applications for Outstanding Women of the Year are due today. They are available in the Campus Activities Cen ter in the Russell House and in the Of fice of Women’s Studies. For more in formation, call 777-6688. Honor stoles available for graduates Honor stoles are available by the Russell House Information Desk, in Student Life, and in Student Government. The dead line is 5 p.m. Friday. Group advisement to begin for psychology Mandatory group advisement for psy chology students will be March 29 April 1. All lower division students must attend group advisement befre they can register for summer or fall 2000 courses. Those who haven’t signed up may do so at Psychology Under graduate Student Services in Barnwell 208. Research center seeks volunteers The Prevention Research Center at the University of South Carolina’s School of Public Health is looking for men and women age 18 to 70 for an 11 -day, phys ical-activity study. For more information, call USC’s Prevention Research Center at 777-7492. Phi Beta Kappa to sponsor lecture Dr. Cornell Fleischer of the University of Chicago will provide one informal talk, “Reflections on the Bosnian Elections,” and a formal public lecture entitled “Re ligon and State are Twins: Mysticism and Prophecy in the Formation of Islamic Modernity.” Both events will be March 23. For more information, call 777-0288. ■ CORRECTIONS An editorial in The Gamecock March 3 should have said USC has six colleges with no deans. ‘ MAY- GRADUATES • H'S NOT TO LATHET The Russell House Bookstore & Balfour Announce Order Dates for May Graduates: 3/15,3/16,3/17 from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Class Rings by QRTQlRVEjJjl and Caps & Gowns by _ muulunmotub Undergraduate Special - $72.75 - Save $5 Includes 25 announcements, 25 thank you notes, 25 envelope seals, 60 return address labels, cap, gown, and tassel. (No packaging and handling charges will be added!) Graduate student specials as well! ORDER NOW AT THE RUSSELL HOUSE BOOKSTORE or i i\ iixi a i W; [iiikI si The Balfour Co., 1609 Blossom St. Hp| for orders call: 254-5330 .