Free Computers
A Simple Working Guide to Building a Working Computer from Salvaged Parts
5 1/2 x 8 1/2, Softcover, 158 Pgs., James MacLaren 2004
Available From Paladin Press
Review by Pete Kautz, 2007

The title of this book pretty much sums up the author's promise - that by reading this book and applying the lessons therein you will be able to build working a computer, for free, from salvaged parts.  To be honest, I was rather skeptical at this notion before reading it, but after finishing the book I can say that in fact he is right on - not only is it possible but in fact probably very easy depending on where you live to do just this!

"But who would give you a free computer?" you might be thinking.  More people than you would ever imagine!  Now, will it be the top of the line latest and greatest game machine?  Heck no.  But if it is simply a working computer you need then that kind of hardware isn't what you need anyhow.

The fact is that today as computers evolve there are a LOT of throw-away older machines out there ripe for the taking if you will but ask the right people in the right way.  Probably some of you reading this have an old machine or two sitting in a closet or attic just collecting dust.  I know in the college town I live near on "junk day" and at the end of the semester you will find dozens of machines left out - students would literally rather throw then away then bother with packing them up!

So, what James MacLaren teaches you in this book is how to take these kinds of old throw away machines, break them into components, and then reassemble them into working computers that are more than up to common tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, internet browsing, and yes even playing some games (just old ones, but hey - they're free!)

While this kind of thing might be easy for "techies", I wondered if someone like myself who can use a computer but has no real knowledge of their inner workings could use this book.  After finishing it, I feel that I could.  In fact, after finishing the book I was able to take a memory card out of an old machine I had and put it in the machine I am writing this on.  No big deal, only took a few minutes, but something I'd never done before.

The book is written in a very non-technical way with a lot of MacLaren's personality shining through.  It is like having an older California surfer teaching you every step of the way, opinions and all.  Personally I enjoyed this aspect of the book and it made it a lot more readable to me.  Had this been just a dry "do it like this" text I might not have finished it.

While this is not the only book you would want if your decide to start putting together machines from scrap, it is certainly a good starting place for anyone interested in the topic.  While other books can teach you more of the technical skills this will get you into the right mindset and teach you ways to get all the free parts you'll ever need.

Free Computers Is Available From Paladin Press