Shop Computer

Hello All:
I recently asked the following questions on Usenet, and got some
reasonably good feedback. I thought I would try the same again here.
My apologies to anyone who reads the following for the second time.

Further to the original inquiry, I am a Boilermaker, building stuff
that usualy has some subsequent heat treatment and machining. I would
NOT be accessing original drawings, but might be doing some simple
CAD layouts. I am not paid to draft, but there are times when it is
easier to manipulate pixels, as opposed to manipulating multi tonne
bits of steel ,to see if the bits will fit.



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I am thinking of getting a cheap(obsolete) computer to press into
service as
a shop computer.

I would be interesting any of the following feedback:

1. What programs would you put on a shop computer? I plan on putting
at
least one inexpensive Cad program on. Which CAD program I haven't
settled on
yet. A spreadsheet and some kind of text editor as well, along with a
units
conversion program.

(NOTE: I don't do CNC. This post was cossposted to a.m.cnc in the
hopes that
there would be more users with shop computer experience)

1a: What reference material would you make available (materials
databases,
quality standards, etc) and how would you "control" it to make sure
it is as
correct as it needs to be?

2. Laptop VS. Desktop? Also, How old can this be and still be
considered
useful?

3. Operating system? Not wanting to start any more religious wars,
but if
Linux has enough shop type software available, I would consider it.
Currently, I don't do Linux.

3. Is paper output "necessary?". I am thinking that if it needs to be
printed, it needs to be done on a "regular" set-up, not the shop
P.O.S.

4. Is a "shop computer" more of a distraction than an aid to
productivity?

Any other feedback or comments welcome. I would be especially
interested in
anyone's personal experiences. What I am looking for is a way to
increase my
personal productivity on the shop floor. I _don't_ need another
distraction,
if there is no corresponding benefit to be had.

OTOH, I have had to do full size "Layouts" for items that would have
taken
1/4 the time with any decent low end CAD system.

Can you see the day when there is a drawer in your toolbox the right
size
for a laptop, just as there is now for Machinery's Handbook? How
about a
wireless LAN to harass the boss with emails (WHERE'S THE STEEL YOU
PROMISED, etc.)

Regards
Wayne Bengtsson
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