My hardware

If you own a vintage (uhh ... 1998 types) computer like I do, you might be well aware of the trouble one has to go to to get hold of drivers. I've built a small cache of drivers for my machine here. I keep it online in case my hard disk conks off. Also people stuck with the same hardware as me can get those elusive drivers. None of this software is non-distributable AFAIK. Please mail me if you know otherwise.

Most of this hardware is probably unavailable today. However, I still find it enough for my home computing needs (except maybe games, but that's another story). The reason drivers are so hard to find is that many companies stop supporting past products after they've stopped marketing them. In extreme cases manufacturers even close shop.

Most people today do not need the highest end machine available at date, but they lack options. I am not sure if this happens throughout the world, but at least in India, hardware tends to disappear from the stands fast. Hardware is supposed to get cheaper by the day. But, when you decide a configuration which is just enough for a particular application and which also fits the budget for it, the hardware is no longer stocked. People end up under-utilising their machines and have to shell out more cash.

Games are really the most compelling reason to buy high-end hardware. Today games are some of the most power hungry computer applications (also compilers , but games are simply more compelling reasons to spend more money). The irony is that most people that I see buying cool hardware don't buy the kind of games that really require it.

Anyway, there are worse things that could happen than people wasting money. Here's my hardware list.