It's Almost Magical

Ever since I was a kid, I have had a knack with electrical things. I didn't really get into computers until college, but by the time I graduates, I'd gone from newbie worried I was going to break something (Well, I did a few times :-) ) to a experienced hardware guy. I'd already built several systems for myself - of course being my resources were limited some were Frankenstein monster-type systems. Such as, does anyone remember the 3C505B Ethernet card - Full length card w/ its own processor? Now there was a weird piece of hardware and had a bear getting it to work with Linux in the good 'ol days. Now days I'm on an older laptop waiting for some memory to get here so I can upgrade this. Sometimes it just can't handle the load.