The End

This project has been a HUGE success. 20 percent time has taught me so much about computer components and given me a better idea of what I want to do with my life in the future. In all the years of school, 20 percent time has been my favorite thing I've done.

Speech

What can be achieved at this age?

Gabriel Ellis

            This year in my language class we have done something very different from anything else that I have ever seen. It was first introduced in November, It took me several days to even come up with any ideas, but after 1 or 2 days I had a short list of them. After I talked to Mrs. Browning about my ideas we decided that I should construct a computer tower from scratch.

            For several weeks after I had decided to build a computer I hadn’t gotten anywhere. During the time that we were working on the projects I would be doing research on how to assemble a computer, and what each part was and what it did. Once I figured out the basics of it I started collecting used/ unusable computers for me to get parts from, and after that everything started to come together.

            I got everything up and running in a matter of days, but this isn’t a happy ending; at least not yet. My computer worked perfectly for weeks but then it became a nice piece of decoration sitting around the house. What happened was that the windows version that was installed on the hard drive was unlicensed. I tried to download another version but in order to install anything the administrator password is required, and this was a very bad thing because me nor the previous owner could get in. then came the expense problem I could get a new hard drive for about $80 which isn’t too bad but I was worried that I would need to get another windows which is another $100, so I had a decision to make.

            I have learned a lot during this assignment but if we had more time I could’ve learned even more. Recently I have wanted to learn to code, I know a couple people who like to but I am not yet one of them. For the time being I’m working on learning how to create apps for both pc’s and mobile devices. Once I learn the basics I would enjoy designing and developing software for devices.

            I still am having problems with the hard drive and I’m not sure what to do about it, but this experience has still had an influence upon other parts of my life. I may not have learned what I expected to, but I have figured out that if you give up on your goals you will never reach them.

           

               

the preperation

The final time

As the day approaches I'm getting ready for the presentation. Today i will be creating my presentation board and practicing my speech for the final day. now that we only have a few days left to finish the stress is starting to get to me. before the day i need to do last minute touch ups on my tower and practice my speech so i don't look like an idiot.

Gabriel Ellis 20% time project

 11/7
I'm not sure what I'm going to do for my 20 percent time project but I'm considering learning to build a computer. After I learn how I would like to build one with my Christmas money. So far I have found some articles and YouTube videos of how to construct a computer. Once my parents get home I would like to ask them if this would be a good project to work on, for the most part I think they will like the idea, I think this because our desktop is really slow, it lags a lot and its really old.

If this doesn't work out I would enjoy making a workout program. My program would include: recipes, workouts and good stretches. I would be really good at this because my mom was a personal trainer and has lots of experience with this my sister could video it because she is a photographer, oh and I enjoy working hard and pushing myself to the breaking point in every way possible if it means I will become closer to reaching my goals.

Gabriel Ellis

The Unfortunate Events

3/6/15
In the month of February I've had some bad luck. My mom had borrowed my computer for school and in this short period of time we had some problems with what used to be a fully functioning computer, is now decoration. From what I can tell the hard drive needs to be updated and I need a new version of Microsoft windows.

Making It Work

In the last month I have gotten 3 computer towers and I have completed the construction of my first computer. The computer I made has a 80gb hard drive, 1536MB of RAM, and a full ATX tower. My mom was so impressed by it she has requested me to build my sister a computer for collage. Even though I made one work it will never be completely done. I will always add to it, I already plane on updating the ram, the hard drive, and the core chip. on top of adding to mine, making one for my sister, I would like to build one for the living room for the family to share.

Project Coming Together

 

  January 14 2015

We have been doing 20% time for a couple of months now and thanks to Mrs.Browning I can start the actual project. Right now I have three computer towers, two of them are already missing pieces so it will make it more fun to be able to find compatible parts. one is missing a power supply, and the other one needs a hard drive. Being able to disassemble some used computers has saved me a lot of money already. These being given to me has given me hope of finishing this project before the end of the year so i can show everyone. Although at the end of the year my computer will work it will never be completely done.