🚀 go-pugleaf

Sam committed to the eternal aether...:

> I am interested in getting views on a proposed office network. I have taken
> some advice from a boffin but have no way of checking whether that advice is
> good or bad. I am hoping that the collective brains trust in these groups
> might shed some light on the subject. Please bear in mind that I am not far
> advanced from computer illiterate. If these questions are incomprehensible
> then that might be the explanation.
> 
> We have 4 staff, each with their own stand alone computers. I am going to
> acquire four new computers. Those in my office tell me that I need to change
> the current arrangement to an office network.
> 
> The use will be e-mail, web searching and small accounting system.
> 
> The questions I would like to answer for the new office network are
> 
> 1. is a server as well as the 4 desk tops a good idea. ie what would a
> server add? Is it just the ability to view/access others files? What are the
> relative advantages and disadvantages of adding a server eg accessibility
> and cost effectiveness?

It's a good idea for the reasons already stated by others (backing up being
the biggest benefit). It doesn't need to be a 'real' server, it can be a
lesser machine than the desktops if all you are doing is sharing some files
and printers.

> 2. Is Celeron or AMD preferable vis-a-vis pentium 4.

The cheapest one. I use AMD myself but I wouldn't say they are better then
intel or vice versa.

> 3. Are there any issues bout these being accessible and cost effective?

You could probably use the existing computers depending on how old they are
and what software they need to run. If you only need to use existing
software plus a web browser and email client then this may be an option.
Naturally the boffin wants to sell you new stuff.

In your situation it will be difficult if not impossible to justify the
capital on a ROCI basis. I would say do it with minimum specs to suit your
applications but reasonable quality, plan to replace it all in 3 years and
ensure it's well supported by the vendor or someone else.