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View Full Version : Do you have a "computer area" in your house? Here's mine.



catlett
April 19th, 2006, 03:56 AM
I don't like to call it a "geek" desktop or geek spot etc. Just sounds insulting to me and I'm not looking to insult anyone.
Anyways here's my computer spot. As you can see none of them are new. They are a hodgepodge. Works in progress. You can see the fresh burn of Xubuntu in the drive(please pardon the XP but I've never had a bad burn with my IBM version of Record Now):oops: about to go on the frankenstein laptop.
Just thought I'd share a little bit and get a conversation going. Regards



P.S. Didn't realise how late it is. I'm going to have to turn in for the night. Sorry to start a thread and run.

confused57
April 19th, 2006, 04:13 AM
Thanks for sharing, I'll bet a lot of people have their personal computer space. Mine is in a spare room in my house, wish I had a basement or somewhere I could set it up how I'd really like. My "significant other"(wife) is an obsessive compulsive neatness person, so to keep harmony in the home, I'm restricted somewhat in how I can arrange things. (Other than the obvious, what's the fork used for computer-wise?) Back on topic, I have an old computer to test with(17"CRT), a Dell Dimension 4550 and a built computer connected with a KVM switch to the 19" CRT that I bought with the Dell back in 2002. I'm in the process of installing Xubuntu(thread in "Beginner"). Windows has become rather boring and I'm having tons of fun playing with Linux & I think everyone needs their personal space to pursue their interests. Nice thread, it'll get plenty of replies.

super
April 19th, 2006, 04:17 AM
@ catlett
wow! do you have a prisoner in that dungeon! :p

i don't have a real computer area. i have two computers and my father has one. my 'nice' computer is in my basement/den on an actual desk. my beater computer resides at the bottom of my bed.

here is a pic (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=711347&postcount=11)

at least now the monitor is sitting on a char instead of the floor. one benefit is that it has good ventilation! 8)

PapaWiskas
April 19th, 2006, 06:45 AM
catlett, you should really invest in a 4 or 5 port KVM switch bra....it would help out your multimonitor/keyboard/mouse clutter....:D

benplaut
April 19th, 2006, 08:21 AM
wow!

i had no idea laptops came with CRTs!!

0_0

catlett
April 19th, 2006, 10:42 AM
Pretty ridiculous, huh. As you can see I'm in the basement and my wife still has issues with it. I say, "I'm in the worst spot in the house, that you never went to and now it's a problem."
My wife's a cleaning compulsive as well. My argument to her usually is "It's a home not a museum. Things will get out of place because it's lived in." (Not the way she sees it though.)
I really do need to get get something to deal with the keyboard/mouse cliutter. It's just that nothing is supposed to be here long term. It was supposed to be a quick project and then move it along. But I'm a pack rat and with Linux even an old computer can run well.
I'm usually on line with one. Another one is getting a different version of linux loaded. While still another has a new version of Linux that I'm tryting to configure or understand it's command nuances.
I thought of posting when I saw a post while googling. A person posted their desktop. It was covered with threee or 4 partial computers. I thought his desk was a mess and then I looked at mine!
The laptop is the latest propject. I got it for $20 because it had a cracked lcd and the owner thought it was useless. Useless to him maybe but not to me! The crt is supposed to be temporary. A tool to load Xubuntu with and configure it while I replace the lcd, but it'll probably be in this state for years:-D .
The computer on the right of the desk is the computer from work that was going to be thrown out. I just took it to keep it out of the trash. Now it's loaded with 4 different distros and is my main "distro experimental" computer. The one tucked down in the corner is my old family computer. A Mac performa 6200 that I keep saying I'll bring back to life but it's mainly so I can say (yeah I got a Mac too)
Now that I've found Linux it'll never get uncluttered. All computers are valuable to me.
Just one more point. Ubuntu/kubuntu and xubuntu all loaded perfectly with everything working (except one printer) in all computers I've tried in on. I can't say that about any other distro.
Well it's off to work now but I'll be back in the basement posting later. It may be ugly and cluttered but it's my favorite place.:p

mips
April 19th, 2006, 10:48 AM
I don't like to call it a "geek" desktop or geek spot etc. Just sounds insulting to me and I'm not looking to insult anyone.
Anyways here's my computer spot. As you can see none of them are new. They are a hodgepodge. Works in progress. You can see the fresh burn of Xubuntu in the drive(please pardon the XP but I've never had a bad burn with my IBM version of Record Now):oops: about to go on the frankenstein laptop.
Just thought I'd share a little bit and get a conversation going. Regards



P.S. Didn't realise how late it is. I'm going to have to turn in for the night. Sorry to start a thread and run.

That rooom is in dire need of a spring-clean, lick of paint & new carpet ;)

hizaguchi
April 19th, 2006, 12:33 PM
Looks like an awefully small space for so many computers. Doesn't it get hot in there? I've just got 1 desktop, but when I leave it on for a while it makes the whole upstairs feel about 10 degrees warmer.

My computer spot is the back porch though. Me and my wife both use laptops, and we've got a wireless router. :)

Stew2
April 19th, 2006, 12:52 PM
:D I love it! :D

tribaal
April 19th, 2006, 12:53 PM
It may be ugly and cluttered but it's my favorite place.

Maybe it's ugly and cluttered because it's your favorite place? ;)

At least, this is true for my own computer place, which at least as "bad" as yours :)

- trib'

PapaWiskas
April 19th, 2006, 06:20 PM
It may be ugly and cluttered but it's my favorite place.:p


You know what bra...in the end, that is the most important thing.
Enjoy your space!:D

taurus
April 19th, 2006, 08:02 PM
I have my two computers in a small room (atrium) of 5'x9'... It's my computer room now except I need a new chair since the one I have right now is over 10 years old (more like 15 years)!!! ](*,)

nalmeth
April 19th, 2006, 10:19 PM
You should refrain from placing objects on your monitor and its vent, just a suggestion! :D
My brother just hosed his monitor. He had a beer resting on top of it, and his buddy knocked it over. It caused quite a scene!
And its bad for air circulation too.
I don't have a digicam right now, but will get a hold of one and post a pic when I do. No one else is attaching pics!

KingBahamut
April 19th, 2006, 10:24 PM
Ill try to take a photo of the racks in the back closet tonight or something.

But everyone in prior posts has seen a few photos of my datacenter.

blackbeastofaarrgh
April 20th, 2006, 12:25 AM
Ooh, this looks like fun.
The following picture is one I took while I was installing Ubuntu on another computer's hard drive (you can sorta see the other computer under the desk.)
The other computer, "Shi*tbox", has a CD drive that will refuse to operate after it reads a certain part of a disc. So I had to swap hard drive and all that, but eventually I got Ubuntu on there. :)
Anyways, here's the link.
http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=8524&stc=1&d=1145489052
Gotta love the adorable Ximian monkeys on my monitor. :p
High-resolution version removed. Gallery is screwing up.

catlett
April 20th, 2006, 01:08 AM
My original thought was that others would post pictures of their areas.
It appears the title "king" is well deserved when it comes to data centers.
Just one post note. The wife is making me post pictures of the kid's bedrooms to show she isn't running a sloppy household and that we have normal computer ares. So please excuse the pictures, they are for domestic bliss.:-\"
(She left my basement) Little does she know I'm picking up 5 used laptops for fifty bucks tonight.=D> I'll post later and show how I managed even more clutter. Always a pleasure posting. Regards Catlett.

PapaWiskas
April 20th, 2006, 01:49 AM
Sweetness....I can not wait to see the additional clutter!! For now catlett, I am going to live vicariously through you, since I am not allowed such a space. That is why I only have a laptop. I used to have a space like yours, before both of the boys were born. Once the kids came along, things do change, God bless my little boys!!! But boy do I miss my "man" space.:(

woedend
April 20th, 2006, 02:07 AM
OP, I think its time to hop off the comps and give the room a nice paint and organization... Sorry I'm weird about so much clutter, would almost make me feel claustrophobic.

Piggah
April 20th, 2006, 02:11 AM
I try to stay neat and organized, so I keep all my computers stacked in a closet. But this is my "zone". It shoots off of my room, so I keep a nice L-Shape desk and an old table as a work table in here. The rest is stashed in my closet.

I built my computer when I thought that it was cool, so don't make fun. :P

Mr_J_
April 20th, 2006, 02:49 AM
I don't stand clutter mainly because I was taught not to like it from a very young age.:mrgreen:
The first room sort of made me think that person should clean it themselves.
Fix it, paint it and make it look like a room should.

I'm sorry, but the first computer area has some serious health issues.
Those other areas weren't all that nice, but at least some of them weren't total clutter.

So far I see most of you should study ergonomics, and clean the room you spend so much time in.

Do you even notice it's like that?

I hope I'm not "blind" to my clutter...](*,)

There was one room in which a computer faces two windows. That's bad for your eyes.

I don't have a computer area. Just my room... Still think it's not right having a computer in your room, but it's so practical!:-k

Piggah
April 20th, 2006, 02:56 AM
Hey, I take pride in my excessively clean and organized room. :P

catlett
April 20th, 2006, 03:30 AM
Well I'm back. As you can see from the first photo, it's nice to live near a school. As you can see again I have plenty of toys to play with for a while.
And lastly it's not a room, it's the basement. It the one spot I can be alone and make a mess. The other rooms are the kid's. I had to give them computers/desks/chairs so I could have a computer and desk. Just like the old-timer told me when I was 15 and on a date. He said "Son, you'll never buy one of anything again." (how right he was)
This is my unwind sight. I'm out the door at 5:30am and I don't get back to 5pm. I shower, eat and hang in the basement. The life of a tradesman isn't that glamorous but it pays the bills.
Anyways my point wasn't to trade cleaning tips(I'm posting on Ubuntu Cafe not Martha Stewart.com). I thought people would post pictures of where they are when they are posting on Ubuntu Forums. I just assumed Ubuntu people were like me in the sense that we spend alot of time in our "computer areas". We see each others avatars and posts but I thought I'd show a little bit of the other side.
My spot is the spot of a working class guy from Boston who doesn't get out with the guys any more and made a little spot in the basement for his hobby.
Now it's time for my fun. I have to pull these apart and see what's salvagable. See you around the cafe. Regards, Catlett

erikpiper
April 23rd, 2006, 05:03 AM
My area is my room. Here is a quick tour- Click on the thumbnails to see the pic.


As you walk in, you see my large "desk". Its really a table.. On the left is my Gaming machine- XP, And Dapper. It is downloading dapper x386 and that gaming didtro at the moment. (Bzflag doesn't work with 64bit.. And I don't want to chroot... Plus I need to modify my partitions..) The one on the right is my testbed- PI 200 Mhz, 64 MB ram, 4mb PCI vid card... Ya. Installing kubuntu-desktop.
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/6457/dsc072164dz.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc072164dz.jpg)

And here is a closeup of the ancient beast:
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6272/dsc072177qs.th.jpg (http://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc072177qs.jpg)


And then I have my IBM Thinkpad T-23. My laptop/all purpose workstation. My cd's and the speakers for my stereo system are there too. I need to get the cables to hook the laptop into it....
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/4097/dsc072188hf.th.jpg (http://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc072188hf.jpg)


And by my bedside I have a VERY geeky linux powered Sharp Zaurus- connected with wifi.
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6610/dsc072232cr.th.jpg (http://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc072232cr.jpg)


Thats all my working computers. Now for all the assorted junk- I would use alot of it, but for my lack of RAM...

In the drawers of the laptop desk;
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5586/dsc072198wx.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc072198wx.jpg)http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7604/dsc072209ho.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc072209ho.jpg)

And under my bed:
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7905/dsc072217wj.th.jpg (http://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc072217wj.jpg)http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/5365/dsc072226lp.th.jpg (http://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc072226lp.jpg)

DigitalDuality
April 23rd, 2006, 05:08 AM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/DigitalDuality/IM000570.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/DigitalDuality/IM000570.jpg)

its an old pic, pre-linux days (about 7 months old)

erikpiper
April 23rd, 2006, 05:09 AM
Very nice and consise there!

PapaWiskas
April 23rd, 2006, 05:39 AM
Frickin' cool...my post is pictured in catletts photo!

Man I wished I could get my hands on some cool junk to tinker with.

hotani
April 23rd, 2006, 09:43 AM
http://static.flickr.com/34/107335855_3a21e53b46.jpg

That's the computer room/TV/living room/etc... Running OS X but the box is getting replaced soon with a *built* PC running everyone (here)'s favorite OS.

beercz
April 23rd, 2006, 10:59 AM
Ok, here's my rather compact room, The desktop is an old pc with debian sarge running as a server to backup data onto, run as a print server, ftp server and test web server.

The laptop on the left is my normal laptop for day to day use, running dapper. The laptop on the right is my son's, but we all use it from time to time, it runs breezy (soon to be upgraded to dapper).

We have a wireless network and 2 other desktop pcs, my wife's (downstairs) runs XP and my daughter's (in her bedroom) dual boots between XP and breezy (soon dapper).

All our pcs are connected via a wireless network, except the server, which is wired directly to the router.

Sorry my room is a bit untidy, still a part time student - so no time to tidy at the moment.

86608661

Stew2
April 23rd, 2006, 02:29 PM
Hello, thought I would drop in a pic as well :D . I used this pic in another post as I had just finished putting together my new Ubuntu box (the one closest to the monitor :) ). Computers are set up in downstairs family room. About 10 feet away is my wifes computer (another homebuilt in a Sonata case) with a scanner attatched to it. My Canon printer is connected to my XP gaming rig ( the comp right next to the Ubuntu box). Also have a IBM thinkpad 600X that I use upstairs and on the deck. Desk is kind of austere and plain as I have no personality, I'm just a hardware nut :D . Great thread BTW

Regards,
Stew

P.S. Wow! flash sure lights up the crappy wire routing under the desk! :)

renzokuken
April 23rd, 2006, 02:42 PM
ok, so heres mine, i posted this in another thread somewhere but thought i might as well do it again.

this is in my bedroom so notice the slippers and easter egg. to the right hand side of where this photo was taken is my TV which is connected up so i can use it as a dual monitor.

and my two babies either side of my desk, god i love my speakers.........only had em a week but since PC, TV etc all runs through my hi-fi thought it would be worth it, and it was

NeoGreen
April 25th, 2006, 04:24 AM
I want to post mine but I can't get my pictures to download. I'll try it tomorrow.:)

Bazon
April 25th, 2006, 07:21 AM
No, I don't have a computer area in my house.

Computers are just everywhere :wink:. In each room exept kitchen and bathroom. Even in the hall [2 rooms + 1 hall = 3 computers], that's the low-energy computer (about 25W) which is always on, contains 3 big harddrives for all my data and is connected to the printer, so it's a kind of file- and print server.

My main computer is direct beside the sofa. A completly noiseless (no fans!) AMD Geode NX 1750. It's connected to my HiFi and is therefore the main musicsource [with the music data of course on the computer in the hall, my sofa computer has only a small 2.5" Laptop harddrive (which is more silent than a 3.5" drive...)] but also used for everything else, exept gaming.

My computer with best performance is my gaming computer which is the only computer which is loud, and because of that I nearly never switch it on.

rsgooch
April 30th, 2006, 12:55 AM
This is the inside of my brain, also called my computer room.The 5.1 and a server full of MP3s help me while away the time in here.:p

Compucore
April 30th, 2006, 03:08 AM
I got 5 over here. And two in the waits for getting online over here for myself. Two Dell GX150 (1 running windows 2000 pro, 1 running ubuntu 5.10), a small gaming clone, a small file server for both transfers and back of data temporary things that I need. And 1 near my bed an old Aptiva running hoary hedgehog. All within the same bedroom here. So that I can get access to any of the 5 current ones aty any time. The two others that I have are Nextsation which I am slowly building back up trying to find the same hard drives for those that would fit into the casing. Since my two old micropolis drives are too large for those two.