PCA Forums

Hey, everyone! This e-mail is directed to those of you who download fansubs.

I've been without a home computer for a while, and I started investigating used and new options; I'm asking for your help in identifying what the absolute minimum requirements are that would enable me to download and burn CDs of anime. Forgive my ignorance about the basics and please correct any mistakes I might make about the specs.

So, here are some specific questions/topics for discussion I have:

--What is the minimum processor/processing speed I should get? The new computers all automatically come with Pentium IV or the Celeron; I understand that if I want to be able to download and do other things at the same time, I should _not_ get a computer with the Celeron because it doesn't multi-task -- is this correct? And if I don't get a new computer, would a Pentium III be OK? Are there other equivalents that I should know of? What MHz or GHz would you say would be the minimum, and what would be pretty good?

--What is the minimum memory I should get? I was told that 256MB is adequate, but might lock up. Can I go lower?

--Obviously, I would need a CD drive...does that automatically mean that I can copy files/episodes, or does it definitely have to say CD-RW (which I'm guessing is "CD-readable/writable")? And is it required that I get a DVD-capable drive, too, or is that just a perk to be able to play DVDs?

--Is Windows Media Player capable of not only playing but also copying files to a CD drive, or is there some other application that I need to be sure is on there (or is copying a function that is basic to any Windows operating system, as long as the drive capability is there)?

--On a side note, how much hard drive space should I be sure I have if I wanted to install a database program, like Access (or some kind of "office suite" that includes a database)?

--Do you know how much it would cost to "make" a computer wireless, if it only comes with a modem? I know that there are routers that you can buy for $100 or less that you can use for your internet connection -- when you have "DSL" as opposed to dial-up service -- that enable you to connect to the internet anywhere within a certain square-footage (and won't tie up the phone line). But that would mean that the computer itself has to be able to connect that way, also.