Truth Behind Dark Smiley Systems......

No one does this for putting computers together, unless you're counting working for a major computer brand (Dell) and going through their training program (~2weeks or less, I bet). If what was required was actual notebook construction, engineering, soldering, piecing together circuit boards, then you have a legitimate argument. What's really required is plugging a few pieces together, checking each one by one for errors (physically and software), and making sure the system is stable when but together as configured. Stuff like heat monitoring, cooling modifications, extra fans, re-applying thermal paste probably isn't required in DSS' case (but also isn't difficult).

Honestly, it's not that difficult to put together a notebook that's built to be modular and easy to access (Clevo's, OCZ's, etc) and which already comes with the difficult parts included (heatsink/cooling system). I would have put one together myself instead of ordering it from a reseller - except, oddly, it's much more expensive to buy the components separately for notebooks (the converse of desktops).

 

hehe, if anything, building a desktop is more intricate than building a barebone notebook. Kinda realized that after I built an XPS M1710 almost from scratch (I basically bought parts on ebay and assembled them myself). And after doing some research on his site, he was able to get one customer to write a review of a desktop he built:

http://darksmileysystems.com/community/index.php?topic=2.0

I'm going to guess that some may think that it's a second alias to draw legitimacy, but I find that improbable.

 

WILL THIS THREAD NEVER END?!?

I was building quality desktop systems when I was 14. I never did notebooks because the thought of such when I was that age was kinda outrageous, extremely expensive, and was only done by the big companies.

He's fine building systems. More power to the entrepreneur.

 

I enjoy George Carlin's comedy as much as anyone but there is some truth
to NIMBY. Your dämn right we need prisons and your dämn right I don't want one in my back yard. I also think we need Air Force bases but I don't want to live onm the tarmac. In real estate this is known as location location location
and is NOT a new concept. Mr. Carlin makes a joke of it but truth be told, I doubt he would have wanted one in his back yard and I doubt he owned a home where a prison was nearby. I could be wrong, but I don't think so.

That said, yep....NWMM

 

The degree of difficulty is an ambiguous figure as it depends on the skill level of the individual making the assessment.

There are certain considerations that should be followed when working with sensitive electronics or the industry would have those same 16 year old pimple faced kids from McDonalds building DELL's or AW systems.

I am not stating that he is incompetent to perform these tasks as I lack a common frame of reference by which to judge his ability. I am saying that it is my opinion he lacks the expertise and experience that would afford him the knowledge to complete those tasks. Expertise and competence are not mutually exclusive so he has the potential for both.

 

well,considering how "well" is aw m15x built,i think age doesnt have a factor here

 

Once more, it isn't about age.

 

so you agree with me?

 

So...what you are saying is, he is not incapable of providing a fully functional, satisfactory product with no defects whatsoever, yet he can not possibly have such competency because of his relatively young age?

Just for reference, when I was 16, I had already built a laptop, and 5 desktops, and up to this day, I have had no hardware problems with any of my machines. Maybe I just got inordinately lucky because I was so young?

 

I believe I was succinct but I’ll reiterate.
I am saying that it is my opinion he lacks the expertise (skill) and experience (practical application) that would afford him the knowledge to complete those tasks.
Take a look at his YouTube video, then tell me if you feel his unkempt room is a viable work environment for sensitive electronics. Even if this is not the designated work area, it gives me the impression and opinion that he is slovenly by nature. Not a characteristic I would find desirable in someone handling or building my computer. Just as many insurance companies will review an insured’s credit profile as a means to complete a risk assessment, so must prospective buyers willing to dispense with thousands of dollars. Wall Street will often react when companies change CEO’s as is evident by the price of said companies stock. Sometimes it is a favorable change, sometimes it is not but it demonstrates how important a company’s employees are to their future. Every aspect of a company should be explored including who is running it. Find one IT dept anywhere on planet Earth willing to hire him after viewing that video. Find one CEO of one Fortune 500 Company who creates and distributes videos of themselves disheveled and acting incoherent.

This is a dead issue, either you can recognize the risk in having a computer that has been built/handled/tested/assembled or otherwise touched by someone with little to zero experience or you cannot.

 

the thing that im worried about is that is he going to stay with this business for years to come? will he honour our warrenties? will he be able to offer tech support 2 years from now within warrenty lengths or will he just disban his business when it doesnt work out and go to school.

thats just the only this worrying me about this now, because talking to him more, he does seem to know what hes talking about.

who knows, maybe he'll stay with the business and do a great job, which is what im hoping because i may be ordering from him after we see some real pics of it

 

Dell had to start somewhere...

Come to think of it, it started out with Dell as a college boy building PCs. In a dorm room. I'm sure plenty of people questioned that one .

I'd say, despite any worries and whatnot, that it is a good thing to see a 16 year old doing something like that. Whether or not you reward him by purchasing, is another question entirely and up to individual buyers.

 

I remember asking if he could make it so there was a live updater on his configuration page so we could know how much we were spending.

He replied and said "I'm not Web 2.0ish enough"

That part really made me wonder about his experiance

 

Well, after seventeen pages it might just be time for me to step in.

First off, for all of you who didn't read it, please go to the link in the original post and view my rebuttal on Guru of Gaming. It will help with a few points.

In browsing through this thread, I'd first like to say that I'm glad that this thread didn't turn into some type of flame war against my company, and has been a somewhat reasonable debate throughout. That said, it seems like the main issue in this thread is not my age or ability to build systems, but my ability to support these systems.

Well, to start off I offer 24/7 tech support to all my customers. This truly is 24/7, and the line does not redirect to my house or cell phone to be answered whenever I'm available. This support is provided by the skilled technicians at The Utility Company, and isn't outsourced to India - their call center is based in Canada.

Secondly, to anyone who thinks that since I'm under 18 the warranty on my site isn't valid (in the legal contract sense) and that I can walk away from it at any time - I'd like to point you to the first few words about the system being warrantied by "Dark Smiley Systems, LLC". Since an LLC operates as its own entity, separate from me, it is legally binding (for a more detailed explanation, please see Shyster1's post a few pages back).

For those of you who don't think my room is suitable for building computers - you're right. It's not. That's why I build them in a workshop downstairs.

In the department of experience, you're right in saying that I have no paid experience, but incorrect in saying that I don't have any whatsoever. I volunteered my hours at the IT department in the VA hospital the past to years to learn everything I could about working on computers and laptops, and have fixed countless desktops and quite a few laptops at the hospital. Federal IT departments don't take lightly to people who work on computers and break them.

As a response to this:

I'm not sure those were my exact words, but I know it was something to that extent. And it's true - I only know the basic HTML and CSS to make the website that I currently have. I don't have the knowledge to create a running total of a current configuration. May I ask how this made you wonder about my experience relating to building and maintaining computers, though?

And finally, I'd just like to apologize again for the video. I know it's unprofessional, and I'm not going to make any excuses for it. But I won't ship out any computers until they're in top shape, and you can rest assured that they won't have "I like circles" carved into them whatsoever. Please though, I ask that you save your judgement on the quality of my computers until ichime receives his system in the mail and can post a review of it.

If you have any other questions, you know how to contact me.

 

Welcome back!
Well said dude!

 

what's your opinion of Hybridgear.net?

 

↑
I must admit, that was a mature response that will go a long way toward demonstrating your readiness and ability to operate a business. For me, it was not an issue of the warranty but rather one of skill and expertise. I remain resolute of the opinion your skill set is below the industry standard.
Since I am in the market for a new notebook, I’ll be an avid observer of your progress. With the advent of your first released system, we will have a firsthand account of DSS operations.
Good luck.

 

My opinion is that they made some bad decisions relating to products and warranties and got themselves sued. If I happen to go down that road, I do invite you to take any and all legal action that you deem necessary.

Thank you.

And thank you.

 

knowing code to set up a website has nothing to do with his experience, nor does it pertain to his experience or his ability to conduct the type of business in question. Should all CEOs and entrepreneurs know how to code a website? Reality is that 98% of them don't.

Seriously, now I'm thinking that some people here are actually trying to discredit this guy on purpose.

 

^^agree, setting up a web site has nothing to do with building a computer, Justin and Donald probably don't know much about web either.

 

No one is trying to discredit him. Certainly it is reasonable and prudent to investigate all areas of risk when buying from a new .com startup.

As I have said before, I had a brief chat with Shawn and while he was courtious and his replies appropriate to the question, he lacked business decorum. There is a certain level of... professionalism... when I deal with HP or Sony via instant communicæ that my talk with Shawn did not have.

That is a skill he will develope in time.

 

Professionalism can only provide the illusion of a well-run business. It will all come down to the actual product he delivers, which we are still waiting to be delivered and reviewed.

I personally would not think less of a business if a spokesman for them took a conversational, or otherwise non-professional tone with me when speaking to me.

 

WoW.
What can I possible add to that other than MS,J&J,P&G,Coca-Cola,GE,American Express and 3M all have one HECK of an illusion going on!

 

"Management that is destructively critical when mistakes are made kills initiative. And it's essential that we have many people with initiative if we are to continue to grow."

William McKnight

 

I did not say that there was no such thing as a well-run business with a professional image. I must not have made my implications clear enough. I meant to say that a professional sounding conversation does not run a business, a person does. Someone answering all of your questions appropriately with a more casual tone is much less problematic than customer service that is very professional, but says nary a helpful sentence in their time with you.

 

darksmiley is still a consideration, and if i order it, then it will be a preorder, i dont have time to wait for it to get delivered to the 1 customer. all i would like to see it some pics of the computer before i order it, as we all have a rough idea of how it will run with an 8800M GTX

 

welcome back!

and you came in with a blasting post.. with all confidence and maturity

i'd be waiting for the non-baised review on your skills...

 

This deserves to be repeated, in its entirety. It should serve as a model response for every reseller/builder who's itching to respond to what s/he sees as unfair criticism.

 

WoW....after reading through the posts on the Guru of Gaming website it seems to me that this has turned into a big conspiracy to attack Shane or something...man..I am amazed by all the drama that I've seen on that forum...I could care less what he does in his personal life! What does it have to do w/ putting computers together?

I don't see why Mr. Collins has to be condemned, victimized, persecuted, ill-treated, humiliated and abused for wanting to better himself and succeed in life! Why? Yes, I agree...expose him as a reseller so folks like me can be aware of who we're buying from, but to batter him for doing something with his life I believe is tremendously unfair. The young man could have been out there causing trouble and mischief. Instead he's trying to accomplish something that alot of us wouldn't even think about doing at his age.

Shane, I sincerely wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors...and if the opportunity arises I wouldn't mind purchasing a system from you. I trust that when it comes to working with computers that you are a more serious person and I eagerly await a review from ichime of your craftsmanship.

 

Thank you for your kind words, makaveli72.

Edit: Ah, I see that my signature privileges have returned.

 

Great!...BTW, how's that RI weather? I use to go to college in that state!
Man...I miss there sometimes...so quiet.

 

It's nice and warm here, not at all humid like yesterday. What college did you go to? URI? RIC? Brown? RISD?

 

If you're serious about this, send me a PM.

 

LOL...none of the above... NEIT out in Warwick...close to the airport.

 

From what I've seen of Dark Smiley's posts on the forum, I'd say that his comments have generally tended toward the former and not the latter, so it would appear that substance and form are one here - professional.

 

you know,lets create a thread to support Dark Smiley Systems...who agrees with me?

 

It's a good idea but, ... that seems to be what this thread has become, no?

 

dont think so,cos think-

someone searches Dark Smiley Systems on google and finds this-how many pages this thread have?~20 i guess?so he reads first 5,gets annoyed of reading and thinks-"hell,thats not good!i m not going to order from him!"

thats why i m suggesting to make a new thread!and if ichime leaves a positive review after getting his laptop,then i think that everyone must take their words back and say "sorry"

 

we are not here to advertise a reseller. it's their job to advertise themselves.

 

As per what is allowed in the reseller rules .

 

PM Sent .....

 

I added his reply to the OP.

 

Fair enough; though I wouldn't go so far as asking people to take things back - what's been said's been said - and generally what's been said most recently is what's going to be at the top of the forum, and is probably what a basic google search'll bring up (I don't know all the ins and outs of the google algorithm, but staleness seems to be a criterion).

Which is why we are here to advertise the resellers, both good and bad, by means of our experiences with them, and facts/evidence that we can dig up about them. The resellers are here to burnish (or tarnish) their reputations by how they behave, what they post, and how they handle issues that come up regarding their businesses.

 

Sorry to play Devils advact, but one system with a good review doesn't mean that DSS is right and everyone else is wrong and vise versa. Building a laptop is a good test of his abilities and I wish him luck, but in my opinion the real test is if a system he sells encounters problems and then how does he deals with it. If it never happens then kudos for being exceptional at it, but if it does and he manages the situation professionally, excepts the the responsibility(*cough nVidia); if it is his, and fixes the problem; then demand an apology from all the naysayers.

 

Agreed.

...​

 

teenager is active in searching for good deals on ram,processors,other components to build systems.........and give good price 300$ less than other resellers who earn 500$ per system!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

@DarkSmiley: FWIW, I'm impressed with your level of maturity, and your response to this thread. Having been a teenager myself (a hell of a long time ago lol) and now being the father of two sons much older than you, I can say that it surprises me to see a young guy respond to all these posts in so calm, dignified and professional a manner.

Frankly, I don't blame some of these people for having doubts about your company, warranty issues, personal abilities, etc, due to your age - most of us at 16 would have been way over our heads attempting to run our own businessess. I wish you well.

 

Actually this really really isnt the case. I havent done my research but if this guy offered reasonable shipping options to Canada I might have bought from him. He also probably offers better service than what I am getting from Eurocom currently. I mean I ordered my laptop on July 18th and it is already September 8th and I still am in Phase 1...

 

This post makes zero sense. I mean say I do well in life, I guarentee there is always going to be a facebook video of me getting hammered somewhere. It goes along with the times. Companys don't go searching for this kind of stuff when they are looking to hire you. Also your post doesn't even relate to this situation really. Zenica your the only person in this thread who isn't even willing to give him a chance =/. I mean after all he has said its hard not to believe him. Assembling a premade laptop from an ODM assuming you have the parts can't be overly difficult. Its not like he would get away with sending a defective laptop to you anyways.

 

I honestly see no problem with Dark Smiley. If I saw a five year old selling lemonade on the street I wouldn't pass the kid by because I knew I could get a more professionally made, and experience backed, cup of lemonade from McDonalds. You might say there is a difference between thousands for a laptop and ten cents for a glass of lemonade. The only difference I see is what you as a consumer feel comfortable spending. If you don't want to give up a dime to a five year old or a thousand dollars to a sixteen year old, then don't. No one is forcing you to do so. But if you refuse to buy only because you think young people are incapable of doing anything right, I think it says more about your prejudices than it does about your buying sense. You may also be missing out on a very good cup of lemonade.

Age is not the all defining factor some people think it is. I still know people I went to high school with, and some of them got older, but no more mature or experienced for their years lived. At the same time, I worked with a 17 year old that ran his own software company and an ISP, and got paid more than me as a freelance programmer on the side. Age doesn't equal talent or experience. We can't know how much or little experience our reseller really has with laptops. There is nothing wrong with trying to have all the facts before you purchase, but refusing to buy from someone just because of the stereotypes and stigmas that surround being a teenager is closed minded.

I commend Shane Collins for trying to run a business, and I only hope that ageism doesn't make it impossible for him to succeed. I believe we send a mixed message, when we say we want children to reach for their goals and try to make something of themselves, and preface that by saying we'd never give them our business if they actually did so. It's like people that want more prisons, so long as they're not built anywhere near them.