There is really no debate on this. RAID 0 is not RAID.
There are two BASIC types of computer nerds. Those with personality and those so dull, so frustrated, and so un-motivated that it almost makes you ask, “Where did you get off track?”. Since when did being passionate about computers and technology become such an obstacle to “deal with” on a daily basis? .
Since I was a child, computers have been a staple in my life and defined who I am today. Born in 1979, I evolved into a half nerd / half unknown; heavy geek attributes with a personality and ability to relate to humans. I’ve been fortunate to be exposed to new technology as I grew up. From our first VHS player, to the “state-of -the-art” TEAC cassette desk, the Atari 400, with tape deck…later the Atari 130XE, and somewhere along the way…the i386 PC.
The PC was such an attraction to me. Maybe something about interacting with a machine or simple curiosity. Perhaps it’s in my blood, being the son of a Unix Database Administrator. I don’t think about why I love computers much these days. My passion hasn’t died. I consider computers and technology part of me…an extension…added intelligence. Growing up, we had an i386 PC, which I loved to look at but was too young to touch, and later an i486. The i486 was, at the time, a serious machine. My dad came home one day with the greatest computer ever assembled at a small Chinese shop somewhere in Delaware.
I recall most of the specs:
- i486-DX2 66Mhz CPU
- 32MB RAM
- DOS 6.22
- CD-Drive (I think Plextor)
- Sound Blaster AWE32
- S3 VGA card (maybe 2MB RAM)
- 500MB Hard Drive
This was the computer that ultimately drove me to end up with a career in IT. Simply trying to play games, I learned all about DOS, IRQs, BIOS and CMOS, memory management, and troubleshooting. The Internet in the early 90’s was “a work in progress”. Finding solutions to why “Doom has no sound…” or “Links386 keeps locking up…” was not easy. Most of my time was spent learning the hardware and DOS commands, using manuals as well as a “just change it and see what happens” approach. The latter was of course more fun. Seeing my dad’s face as I explained to him why I had to format the hard drive was a good one. But after I broke a few things, eventually the games would play. My dad saw this and started to align his encouragement with my troubleshooting design methods. After the i486, I decided to build my own computers from that point on, further fueling my addiction.
These days I spend most of my time thanking Microsoft for making imperfect software. Because the technology keeps changing, the relationship stays interesting. Every day something new happens…a new challenge…a new opportunity.
