I wanted to share with my fellow LJ’s about my new shop computer. My computer has been located in the showroom about 50 yards away from my shop which isn’t much but go back and forth a few times and a lot of time is wasted. I also broadcast my shop live on the internet for my customers. With the computer up front, I never knew when the feed was down. So I moved it.
I have a window that seperates my back showroom from my shop. I call it the monkey viewing area. I feel like I’m at the zoo. I will do tricks for food! This area was a perfect spot to put the computer. I could leave the CPU and monitor in the clean are of the showroom and pipe the keyboard, mouse, speakers, and USB cables through the wall.
I can now monitor my video feed, answer emails, and listen to some high quality music. Speaking of the video feed I may try a feature that I havn’t used before the chat box. If I need to I can chat directly with my customers or anyone else. (see video and chat at the bottom of page)
Here are some pictures:
Streaming .TV shows by Ustream
-- Watch live video from our shop. http://wwbeds.com/live.htm
9 comments so far
lew
home | projects | blog
4496 posts in 652 days
posted 372 days ago
Neat Idea!!
Dust can really cause internal heat build up inside the CPU. You may want to consider some sort of cover for the keyboard, also. The covers are used a lot in automotive garages to protect the keys from grease and liquids. http://www.compucover.com/KS_Info.html
Chris Davis
home | projects | blog
556 posts in 879 days
posted 372 days ago
Thanks lew for that info.
-- Watch live video from our shop. http://wwbeds.com/live.htm
Thos. Angle
home | projects | blog
4013 posts in 859 days
posted 372 days ago
Great idea, Chris. I agree with the cover on the keyboard.
-- Thos. Angle
dsb1829
home | projects | blog
369 posts in 524 days
posted 372 days ago
Nice solution to the dust problem.
-- Doug, woodworking in Alabama
Bob #2
home | projects | blog
3046 posts in 918 days
posted 372 days ago
I see some completely rubber keyboards here for very little $.
Thinking of putting one of mine in the shop as well.
Nice to have someone to follow .
Bob
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner
DaveR
home | projects | blog
1527 posts in 617 days
posted 372 days ago
You could get a video over CAT5 adaptor as well as a KVM extender so you can put your CPU someplace better. With the extender you could have a second keyboard, mouse and monitor at a desk in the showroom if you wanted.
-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.
Chris Davis
home | projects | blog
556 posts in 879 days
posted 372 days ago
Thanks DaveR, I am going to check in on that.
-- Watch live video from our shop. http://wwbeds.com/live.htm
TomK
home | projects | blog
504 posts in 771 days
posted 372 days ago
Keyboards themselves can be had for less than $10 now. I’ve tried several keyboard covers and they destroy the tactile feel of the keyboard. DaveR has the right idea. You could have the expendable keyboard and mouse in the shop, and the good set in the “clean” room using a KVM and now cheap USB extenders.
-- If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until it's free! PJ O'Rourke
DaveH
home | projects | blog
372 posts in 675 days
posted 365 days ago
Put the keyboard in a drawer or slide it under a shelf. Maybe a roll top of some type.
-- DaveH - Boise, Idaho - “How hard can it be? It's only wood!”