The Logic Off Topic list

Smeet wrote:
  I am quite capable of learning the nasty lessons of
>IRQ conflicts, etc.  I am sure that in time I would have to get know that
>stuff anyway.  But right now I want a system I can plug in, turn on, and
>start making music with.

Nice idea but somehow I think this is an illusion you are chasing. Nothing
stands still  -- OS patches, hardware drivers, Logic updates, new system
problems crop up. Chances are you will want to change settings or update
things or want to know how your software (OS, hardware drivers) is
configured -- it might be a day or a week or a month (unlikely) but you
will want to change the magic configuration that "just works out of the
box" -- especially if it doesn't. 

It is pretty hard to even install new upgrades without having to decide on
OS settings (will you let  a Logic upgrade install DirectX or change Vcache
settings etc). Building it yourself in the first place means you know what
is in there and everything that was done to it from scratch. If you need to
reinstall anything there will be no mystery -- you've already done it.  All
that knowledge is power -- without it you are impotent in the face of
gremlins that bedevil every computer system from time to time.  If you
don't want to face this reality using a computer as a DAW is a bad idea.
The idea of disconnecting every cable and dragging the tower case back
across town  to some turnkey dealer because there some annoying little
problem sounds like a bad idea to me. 

The main thing you need to do to get a good DAW on Wintel is to find a set
of  hardware components that will work together with your software on your
choice of OS. If you don't want to get your hands under the hood, any clone
dealer can put a box together in an afternoon -- just pick a configuration
that others are reporting success with on the LUG and replicate it.

Regards,
Murray