I love sites that give detailed walk-throughs of how to do something. Particularly when they assume you aren’t an expert in the topic. But I’ve never gotten around to creating anything like that myself, and figured that rather than continue to endlessly suck the blogosphere dry I should try to contribute something back.

I’m the father of a six-year-old son who is showing some interest in computers, where by “some interest” I mean:

1. Is keen to play on the iPad that lives by my bed at any opportunity
2. Seems to quite enjoy the dazzlingly primitive educational games on his sister’s 7-year-old laptop (which I converted to Qimo from a hotfix-paralyzed Windows XP install)
3. Likes watching me play RPGs

Um, so he actually enjoys computer games, then, you say? Ah, I reply, but I too started down the path to IT industry success with just such a passion!  (Didn’t we all?) And in my defense, he only occasionally gets to watch RPGs that aren’t too blood-and-gore filled.

Like all parents, I’m keen to give my offspring every possible opportunity for future success, so partly at my wife’s suggestion, and partly because it would help justify the expense for such a young afficionado – I’ve launched into a joint father/son build-a-computer project.

Not surprisingly, given the recipe above, when approached with this idea and asked what he would do with such a device, my son replied “play games?”

Devil me: Awesome. My plan’s working so far. Joint hack-and-slash adventuring await!

Angel me: You mean enlightening educational experiences that will ensure he has a satisfying and financially rewarding career.

Devil Me: What, it’s not like he’s going to be the future creator of the Facebook of 2024.

Angel me: Stop being so cynical.

Anyway, here’s the plan:

• Research the parts needed for a mini-ATX computer that won’t take up too much room on his desk, and which can be had for around the $300 Aussie dollar mark
• Order parts from online Australian suppliers without getting gouged by outrageous shipping fees
• Spend an enjoyable and frustration-free weekend afternoon putting the computer together
• Install an OEM version of Windows 7 (so can upgrade to Windows 8 when available using the free $15 offer that Microsoft has announced)
• Notch up one for excellent parenting!

Either that, or I’ll get him hooked on WoW and regret the day I ever embarked on this project.

In the next post, I’ll give details of the research and parts ordering process.