When David B. Alpert '00 was in elementary school, his parents bought an Apple IIe, which immediately caught his interest.

The IIe, with its miniscule monitor and limited memory, could do little more than run programs like "Oregon Trail" and "LOGO." But even a child could learn to use it--and Alpert did.

Back in the early 1980s, computers were a hobby for Alpert. Today, they're his livelihood.

Alpert is one of a growing number of Harvard students who are flocking to start-up Internet companies.

Their experiences range widely, from the students who sold their program for big bucks to those who are still struggling to turn a consistent profit.

But despite the potential hardship, the lure of the high-tech world is easy to understand: no homework, potentially hefty paychecks and the chance to set your own rules free from proctors and teaching fellows.

Although working at a start-up means taking time off from school for a possibly uncertain future, Alpert and others say they're not looking back.

"Working on it was so much more fun than doing papers for Cores and going to class," says Alex W. Lloyd, a member of the Class of 2002. "Working is definitely a lot easier than school."