Monday, October 1, 2007

Help! When Wires Attack...



Does anyone have any tips on how to make these freakin things disappear? Or at least behave. I don't think the Feng Shui gods are smiling down on me right now.

Please please please leave a comment if you have any bright ideas!

2 comments:

DFTH said...

"Hide and Sleek" by tommy d.

If you are looking to hide computer cables, computer printer cables or computer monitor cables, here are some products on the market designed to do just that. Go to your local computer store (but since you live in the city you're probably better off ordering on-line).

Three options for you:

Raceways - These are a safe way to channel wire or cable that can also blend in with a room's decor due to its corners and resemblance to baseboards and crown molding

Wire looms - I use these at home. They're basically plastic tubes that are used to hide, route and protect wires and cables

Braided sleeving - bundle wires and tuck them away in these sleeves which enclose around the entire bundle without the need for Velcro or tape. The split in the tube allows it to open up to meet many different wiring requirements.

And finally, let me share seven steps to give you an desk cable management (courtesy of cnet.com)

Label your cables because when it comes time to move your equipment around, you may have trouble reinstalling everything. Will you be able to tell which is an unused network cable and which is a live cable?
When you install a new piece of equipment, use a short instead of a long cable. Otherwise, the extra cable will get in your way and make running new wires difficult. Also, extra wiring radiates electrical noise.
Rip out old unused cabling instead of thinking you might use it in the future. Chances are you will not use it and it will just crowd your office.
Wrap related cables together every few feet, or bundle them. Do this instead of simply plugging them in and dropping the cables behind your desk. Otherwise, you will be cursing yourself when you can't figure out what goes where. There are cable wraps sold for the purpose of bundling cables.
Wireless objects will not solve your problems completely. Some wireless mice are heavier than the cordless ones, which is not good for your wrists. Wireless usually costs more, as well.
Super short extension cords allow you to plug all of your bulky power adapters into one power strip so that every slot on your power strip is being used.
Buy networking and USB cables that have smooth boots over the ends and your cables will be pull-up friendly. This means when you get some new electronics and want to pull up the cables from the old electronics, they will be less likely to snag.

Marichelle said...

thx! I guess someone is going to "be in charge" of wire detail this weekend ;-)