Thread: This is my last night on this computer.

I'm so sad. This is the last night I'll have this computer. This may be the last time I'll get to talk to you guys *a tear drops*. I don't know what I'll do without my compiler or AIM. I don't think I can live without this computer. I've been spending hours each day on it meeting new friends, talking to girls, and most importantly, learning a ton about programming. *sigh* Now I'm going to tell you why I must part with this computer after tonight.

This past semester, I had AP U.S. History. When I signed up for it, a teacher told me that it was going to be an internet course, but I figured that wouldn't be a problem. I was wrong. Because it was an AP course, I was expected to do quite a bit of work at home. This was a problem for me, as I didn't have a computer.

My high school recieved a grant a few years ago to buy some laptops. Students may sign them out for word processing, but must return them the next morning even if they were going to use them again the next night. I did this regularly to work on papers and such.

My principal, Mr. Gettle, decided unilaterally to make AP U.S. History an internet course. The Social Studies Deptartment did not recommend this; neither did the Guidance Department. He wanted this little expiriment of his to succeed—his pilot project as he called it. So, he broke the rules of the grant and allowed me to use a laptop for the duration of the online course, and for a semester, I was okay. I got a B in the History course although I absolutely hated that it was online without a teacher.

Unfortunately, however, that course is over, and the school now wants its laptop back. I tried talking to the principal and the librarian (she is the keeper of the laptops) to see if another exception could be made for me. As some of you might already know, I've been learning an incredible amount about programming thanks to this laptop. I've been programming as a hobby and also recieving and giving help on this board. I've become better than anyone else in my class. I'm seriously considering computer science as a major and a career.

However, this means nothing to the school. Mr. Gettle told me that the only way I could keep this laptop was if it was part of a course I was taking. The evil librarian (and she's evil for more than just this) said that she needs to let other students use the laptop.

I don't see how this is fair. This may sound elitist, but so be it. Other kids only use their laptops for word processing; that's it. They're only completing assignments for their general level English courses. I have and could continue to gain much more educationally than other student who uses the laptops. I am actually going to make something of myself by using this. No other student can claim that. I think it's obvious that I need this laptop more than any other student.

Despite all of that, the school just doesn't care. The verdict has been handed down that I must return this laptop tomorrow morning. I don't know how long I'll be without a computer. Hopefully, I'll be able to get one soon. I've talked to my dad about getting me a cheap one at Staples for around $500, but I can't be sure. So, it may be quite a while till I talk to you guys again. Thank you for all that you have done for me. I hope this isn't good bye forever.

Well dont just sit there!!! Jack all the good parts before you turn it in!

Originally posted by PJYelton
Do you have computer labs or a public library you could go to in while you wait to get a computer?

I may still program in school during my programming class and during flex (I think normal schools call that homeroom). If I really need to type up a paper, I can still sign out a laptop for "one night a week" according to the evil librarian. There are computers available at my community library, but there is a 30 minute limit per day and I really doubt they have compilers.

Originally posted by DavidP
Well dont just sit there!!! Jack all the good parts before you turn it in!

I wish I could do that, but I don't know enough about hardware. I have considered some software methods of f***ing up this machine. It's an iBook, and I have ResEdit downloaded on it. I could change icons, cursors, and sounds to whatever I please. I could also change the programs that aliases are pointing to so that the next time a kid tries to open up the word processor, he'll—I don't know. I haven't thought out the specifics yet of my revenge, if any. If anyone can think of any good ideas, post them here. I don't want to go so far as to do anything that I can definitely get in trouble for, like clear the hard drive, but some revenge would be nice.

Hmmm, I don't know how to end this post. Oh, I'll try this:
THE END.

You actually expected them to let you keep the laptop just because you felt they should? Give me a break. It's school property paid for by tax-payer's money and for the students.

The fact that you're thinking about sabatoging the computer just makes me think you are extremely immature. You can get a nice Dell for about $600 and if you finance it then it's practically nothing per month.

Originally posted by damonbrinkley
You actually expected them to let you keep the laptop just because you felt they should? Give me a break. It's school property paid for by tax-payer's money and for the students.

I am learning while using this computer. I have learned a lot. Without this computer, I would be a much worse programmer, and I may not be considering programming as a career. I could further my skills be continuing to use this laptop. I will seriously be improving in the subject that will likely someday land me a job. Other students merely use this laptop for word processing. It's obvious that I will gain much more through using this laptop than all of the others who will use it combined.

The fact that you're thinking about sabatoging the computer just makes me think you are extremely immature.

I'm not thinking about completly sabotaging it the way others are suggesting. I just think a nice practical joke would be fitting. Something like aliases to non-existant files or a cursor that's phallic. I'd find that funny. I think a practical joke like that would be harmless and humorous. Is that immature? Perhaps, but if maturity means never feeling the sweetness of revenge or laughing at things that others feel is inappropriate, then I don't think I want to be what you'd consider mature.

Originally posted by alpha
why not speak to your comp. sci. teacher, and see if he/she could convince the school that you need the laptop for that class...

Hmmm, not a bad idea. I'd certainly be willing to take on some extra programming assignments.

I recently did my graduation project on object oriented design showing two classes I wrote as examples. For those of you who don't know, grad projects are silly little things required by the state. All seniors must satisfactorily write a paper and give a presentation to graduate. I wrote a paper on OOP and several classes without the help of my programming class. In this past semester, that class has only gone over the basics like functions, conditional statements, and loops. I think that goes to show how much this laptop has advanced my education. I've learned the concepts in several chapters on my own while still maintaining A's and B's in all of my other honors or AP level classes.

Anyway, yeah, I should at least give that a shot. I'd definitely be willing to do more work for my programming class. I mean, hey, it's programming. I already do that for fun

Man, if you have $200 (US), you could get a computer (albeit a crappy one...). You could at least program, surf the net, and play older games on it.

//napKIN

NO NO NO! I am the master of messing up computers. Delete a bunch of .sys files that are required. Allot less odvious

Zakk, I see that you were checking out what I was looking at in Who's Online. This thread is 6 months old man :P