In yet another series with a theme, we're focusing on electronic organization this month, culminating in an unveiling of the new Web 2.0 platform of Paper Tiger software, the iPEP. But we'll talk more about the iPEP later. For now, let's focus on your desktop area and the physical consequences of all your super-powered devices: cables.
Here's an example of my own cable situation after purchasing a spectacularly heavy printer and the necessarily all-steel stand to go with it:
Oh, dear. That little blue box was just not working. Every time I wanted to update my iPod, I had to wrestle with the USB-to-iPod-touch cable, the USB-to-iPod-shuffle cable, the headphones, the weirdly long USB-to-USB cable—something was guaranteed to fall out onto the floor. And I had a rough time attaching the external hard drives and DVD burner to my PC because their cords were just sort of shoved in back of the inadequate blue box. Where did I go wrong?
My previous printer stand was actually a kitchen cart with a butcher-block top. It worked beautifully; the scanner was on top, where I could open it up. Peripherals were on the middle shelf, with a row of hooks to keep the cords straight, and my old inkjet printer was on the bottom. If that cart could have supported 83 pounds of multifunction laser printer, I totally would have kept it. But it couldn't, so a sturdier cart was acquired, and my previous sytem fell into disarray.
Fortunately, I had taken a couple of steps to manage the electronics. I had color-coded all my peripherals, using electrical tape for the power cords and matching-color velcro cord minders for their connector cables. Yellow for the FireWire drive, green for the DVD burner, etc. And my old cart had provided me with a blueprint for a workable system.
I found a set of hooks long enough to span the side of the new cart and set about making some modifications. I measured and drilled pilot holes in the cart (note: drilling holes in sheet metal is not a quick or easy task, but with enough muscle and/or an impact driver it can be done) and attached my hooks.
Finally, my old system was back in play. I had a couple more hooks than before, so I was able to give the headphones a home, and keep some space open for easy access to the power strip. Now, I can reach over and get the cord I need, by itself, without involving other cords, and without emptying the whole lot onto the floor.
Now, you'll notice that while the center shelf is tidier, it's not completely cord-free. There's still a lot going on behind the peripherals, on my other power strip. And my point here is that that's okay. The goal for me wasn't a sparse shelf, it was to be able to access my cords without making a mess.
I think many people believe that getting their desk organized means clearing it off completely, or hiding everything, but that's not what getting Sorted is about at all. It's about creating a system that works, that meets your goals and that you like to use.
Next time, we brave the many offerings of the Web as I organize my bookmarks. See you then!
In the meantime, if you have any of your own cable-wrangling suggestions, leave them in the comments!
Hm... I never thought of organizing the wires.. even so I have so many around my work table with various techno gadgets!
I will try this out... thanks for the tips.
Posted by: Shamelle- TheEnhanceLife | 04/16/2009 at 11:32 PM
You're more than welcome! If nothing else, I find using the velcro cable minders helps a lot to keep cords from getting tangled. Good luck, and let us know how your cable sorting goes!
Posted by: Catherine Cantieri | 04/18/2009 at 10:34 AM