I am interested in monitoring various different brain waves[alpha,
theta, etc.] in my home during different activities.  I would like to
be able to do so through my computer, but that is not mandatory.  I do
not have a lot of money, so I am looking to find out how I can get an
EEG machine that measures various brain activities for the least
amount of money. preferably one that can be linked to my pc.

Greetings-
After a fairly extensive search, I've been able to locate only  a few
"home" EEG machine.
 There are, however, two projects online devoted to
developing/building one's own EEG device. Those links are provided
below.

A comparison of small EEG machines is provided at
http://www.brainmaster.com/productinfo/at1/comparison/comparison.html

Another comparison site
http://www.altered-states.co.nz/randmidi.htm

Web pages for products listed in comparison sites:

"The BrainMaster is a low-cost, flexible, general-purpose brainwave
monitor. It connects to a PC in the same way that a modem does; but
instead of communicating over the telephone network, it monitors
brainwaves."
http://www.brainmaster.com/  and also at 
http://www.dynamind.com/eeg.htm#bm

Lexicor NRS-2D is also a 2 channel EEG device and operates
with the well-established BioLex software
http://www.lexicor.net/

Waverider biofeedback system
http://www.futurehealth.org/waveride.htm

Neurocybernetics
http://www.neurocybernetics.com/home.html

Procomp2
http://www.futurehealth.org/procomp2.htm


Links to home EEG machines and other electroencephalograph information
http://www.zhime.com/products/eeg.htm

The HAL-4 EEG Biofeedback Brainwave Analyzer  is no longer in
production, but you may find useful information on thier site.
http://www.cc-concepts.com/products/hal4/


OpenEEG
What this project is about
Providing the world (well, ourselves) with cheap EEG devices. Looking
at your own brain at work and maybe doing some biofeedback training
too, is an intriguing concept for the curious.
Who this project is for
Everyone, but primarily amateurs who would like to experiment.
However, if you are a pro, in any of the fields of electronics,
neurofeedback, software development etc., you are of course welcome to
join the mailing-list and share your wisdom! ;o)
What this required to get an EEG device
You will have to build it for yourself, so you must be a practical
person and able to handle a soldering iron. Current cost estimates are
200 USD and maybe a weekend or two of your time. If you get stuck,
feel free to ask questions on the mailinglist.
Links to plans for the hardware are on this site.
http://openeeg.sourceforge.net/

buildcheapeeg · a group dedicated to the making of a low cost personal
eeg machine
"The aim of this group is that a personal eeg machine will be sold at
$100 price range"
http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/openeeg-list


Discussion group on biofeedback and "best eeg machines"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofeedback/messages/1381


ElectricGuru is a computer program for neurofeedback. Although it's
not yet ready for public release, the author has agreed to post it
here for downloading so people who are working on the BuildCheapEEG
project can obtain it conveniently
http://www.realization.org/page/topics/electric_guru.htm

Biopotential Technology
This is a collection of resources on biopotential measurement
and next generation human-computer interfacing.
http://home.earthlink.net/~wearable/biopsy/


Search strategy: EEG; electroencephalograph; EEG home

Hi...
The response was very informative!
I think I had seen many of the web sites but missed some of the
comparison information.
FWIW there is a site that offers a comaprison for about $16.

-Mark