Comments on: Cordotz clear cable confusion http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/ Daily tips on how to organize your home and office. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:43:54 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Useful Things » Blog Archive » Useful Things Weekly Link Round-Up http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-36800 Useful Things » Blog Archive » Useful Things Weekly Link Round-Up Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:02:40 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-36800 [...] “Cordotz Clear Cable Confusion” via Unclutterer [...] [...] “Cordotz Clear Cable Confusion” via Unclutterer [...]

]]> By: Craig http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-36456 Craig Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:53:41 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-36456 I use coloured insulation tape, a bag of six different colours is 99p over here and as it is insulation tape it doesn't melt. By combining colours you instantly get 36 unique cable identifiers. I have laid out offices with it and factory shopfloors. Cheap'n'easy because I am cheap'n'lazy :) I use coloured insulation tape, a bag of six different colours is 99p over here and as it is insulation tape it doesn’t melt.

By combining colours you instantly get 36 unique cable identifiers. I have laid out offices with it and factory shopfloors.

Cheap’n'easy because I am cheap’n'lazy :)

]]> By: Rebecca http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-35057 Rebecca Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:55:40 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-35057 I find anything with adhesive to become a bigger problem than solution after a while. Once time and heat are introduced, the adhesive melts or dries up or the label becomes brittle and falls off (useless). I like the idea of being able to label and confine all the cables in one area with this handy doo-dad. Another advantage to the labeling is especially helpful for the TV and all its components. Once you unplug the DVD player or Wii or whatever, it seems impossible to get it put back together properly without written instructions or a drawn map to reconfigure the original set up. While these are probably a bit more than I'd like to spend, I'm sure the competition will come up with a more affordable option soon ;) Thanks for another uniquely useful post I find anything with adhesive to become a bigger problem than solution after a while. Once time and heat are introduced, the adhesive melts or dries up or the label becomes brittle and falls off (useless). I like the idea of being able to label and confine all the cables in one area with this handy doo-dad.
Another advantage to the labeling is especially helpful for the TV and all its components. Once you unplug the DVD player or Wii or whatever, it seems impossible to get it put back together properly without written instructions or a drawn map to reconfigure the original set up. While these are probably a bit more than I’d like to spend, I’m sure the competition will come up with a more affordable option soon ;)
Thanks for another uniquely useful post

]]> By: Peg Bracken Fan http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-35046 Peg Bracken Fan Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:22:05 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-35046 We use bread tabs (the kind that are longer than they are wide) and a Sharpie to label cables. The holes in the bread tabs are just the right size to lock on to the cables. Alfora, we are always unplugging and replugging something in in our circa-1900 home, so it really helps to know just what that cable goes to. We use bread tabs (the kind that are longer than they are wide) and a Sharpie to label cables. The holes in the bread tabs are just the right size to lock on to the cables.

Alfora, we are always unplugging and replugging something in in our circa-1900 home, so it really helps to know just what that cable goes to.

]]> By: timgray http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-35040 timgray Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:55:15 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-35040 @deb - Problem is most homes are built with not enough outlets even today. The other problem is that we all need 40 gadgets that all use a tiny amount of power but needs to be plugged in. So we are stuck with the power strip and 30 items plugged into a single outlet. A TV location needs to be wired with 4 outlets and the cable tv, ethernet,phone, and speaker connections. Most people cut this to save a couple of bucks for that trendy hunter green stove they will replace in 4 years or to upgrade to cultured marble counter tops. So homes are not built right with the proper wiring installed. Also many homes are not built with a integrator as a part of the build process but use the electrician. electricians know nothing about low voltage or what entertainment systems need so they never do it right. A properly built home will not have the wire clutter we see today in many homes where the needed wiring was never installed. Finally most power strips are safe as they have circuit breakers in them to trip and shut it all off if there is a problem.. It's not like the low grade fire hazards of the last decade. @deb – Problem is most homes are built with not enough outlets even today. The other problem is that we all need 40 gadgets that all use a tiny amount of power but needs to be plugged in. So we are stuck with the power strip and 30 items plugged into a single outlet.

A TV location needs to be wired with 4 outlets and the cable tv, ethernet,phone, and speaker connections. Most people cut this to save a couple of bucks for that trendy hunter green stove they will replace in 4 years or to upgrade to cultured marble counter tops. So homes are not built right with the proper wiring installed. Also many homes are not built with a integrator as a part of the build process but use the electrician. electricians know nothing about low voltage or what entertainment systems need so they never do it right.

A properly built home will not have the wire clutter we see today in many homes where the needed wiring was never installed.

Finally most power strips are safe as they have circuit breakers in them to trip and shut it all off if there is a problem.. It’s not like the low grade fire hazards of the last decade.

]]> By: Julian http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-35035 Julian Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:36:56 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-35035 @"Joe" - Nice try lol. @”Joe” – Nice try lol.

]]> By: alfora http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-35023 alfora Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:55:02 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-35023 One thing that I don't get is why do these things help "unclutter" the cable mess? Dont't get me wrong. I love cable binders and things to unclutter the cables and put them out of sight. But where is the need to label them? As shown in the picture we are talking about cables that you plug in once and leave them in peace for a year or much longer. How often do you guys change your computers, monitors, printers, scanners, or desk-lamps? I usually plug them into a switchable power strip, bind the cables together with standard cable binders and forget about them for a long time. I just don't see a reason to put labels on all the cables. One thing that I don’t get is why do these things help “unclutter” the cable mess?

Dont’t get me wrong. I love cable binders and things to unclutter the cables and put them out of sight. But where is the need to label them? As shown in the picture we are talking about cables that you plug in once and leave them in peace for a year or much longer. How often do you guys change your computers, monitors, printers, scanners, or desk-lamps?

I usually plug them into a switchable power strip, bind the cables together with standard cable binders and forget about them for a long time. I just don’t see a reason to put labels on all the cables.

]]> By: Ellis http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-35011 Ellis Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:30:17 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-35011 @scott they do have blank ones. I like them and may get some when I'm in an OCD mood. Are there other, less expensive ways of doing this? yep. Do they look scruffy in comparison? yep. Do they play on our desire for cuteness? Yep... @scott they do have blank ones.
I like them and may get some when I’m in an OCD mood. Are there other, less expensive ways of doing this? yep. Do they look scruffy in comparison? yep. Do they play on our desire for cuteness? Yep…

]]> By: Another Deb http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-35006 Another Deb Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:24:41 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-35006 This might be the place to ask a question I have been wondering about for several years now. Didn't we all used to be worried about overloading circuits? The safety pictures would show "octopus" outlets that were dreaded fire hazards. What happened since those days? I have a power strip on half my outlets and my electronic cables look eerily similar to an "octopus" in several locations. How can a household NOT have that nowadays, but are we playing with ..er.. fire? This might be the place to ask a question I have been wondering about for several years now. Didn’t we all used to be worried about overloading circuits? The safety pictures would show “octopus” outlets that were dreaded fire hazards. What happened since those days? I have a power strip on half my outlets and my electronic cables look eerily similar to an “octopus” in several locations. How can a household NOT have that nowadays, but are we playing with ..er.. fire?

]]> By: luxcat5 http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-35005 luxcat5 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:18:41 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-35005 I also use inexpensive velcro cable ties, but I use rectangular mailing labels wrapped around each tie and then stuck back onto itself to make a tab I can write on. they seem to tear off without residue later on if I need to replace them I also use inexpensive velcro cable ties, but I use rectangular mailing labels wrapped around each tie and then stuck back onto itself to make a tab I can write on. they seem to tear off without residue later on if I need to replace them

]]> By: tabatha http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-34995 tabatha Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:50:07 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-34995 i'll have to remember this, my boyfriend has an enormous cord mess by the tv where he has his server hooked up and pretty much everything else electronic is hooked up to the server, including two or three other computers, a game system, internet phone, and god knows what else. thats also where several other things are plugged in into two different surge protectors, including a lamp, tv, Wii, and probably some other stuff. its a huge mess, and i hate looking at it. i actually knocked the sensor too the wii behind the tv and can't get to it b/c of all the cords. i’ll have to remember this, my boyfriend has an enormous cord mess by the tv where he has his server hooked up and pretty much everything else electronic is hooked up to the server, including two or three other computers, a game system, internet phone, and god knows what else. thats also where several other things are plugged in into two different surge protectors, including a lamp, tv, Wii, and probably some other stuff. its a huge mess, and i hate looking at it. i actually knocked the sensor too the wii behind the tv and can’t get to it b/c of all the cords.

]]> By: Luisa http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-34994 Luisa Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:50:04 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-34994 Some cheap masking tape will get sticky too. Try painter's tape or white electric tape. Or twisty tie poke thru a small piece of paper. Some cheap masking tape will get sticky too. Try painter’s tape or white electric tape. Or twisty tie poke thru a small piece of paper.

]]> By: Scott http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-34987 Scott Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:56:48 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-34987 I like the idea, but the problem I've always had with items like this is that there is always one or more devices I have that don't fit any of the preset labels/icons - so I either have to rely on code (this icon means this unrelated item), or I have to create my own (which largely defeats the purpose). I couldn't tell if these had blank labels that would let you write/draw on them, since the darn flash animations went too fast to really tell what was on them... As a side note, I always take a black sharpie and write on the black powerbrick on any of my devices as to what device it goes with. It works really well - it can't be seen normally, but whenever I unplug multiple devices, it keeps me from trying to figure out which black cord goes with which device. I like the idea, but the problem I’ve always had with items like this is that there is always one or more devices I have that don’t fit any of the preset labels/icons – so I either have to rely on code (this icon means this unrelated item), or I have to create my own (which largely defeats the purpose). I couldn’t tell if these had blank labels that would let you write/draw on them, since the darn flash animations went too fast to really tell what was on them…

As a side note, I always take a black sharpie and write on the black powerbrick on any of my devices as to what device it goes with. It works really well – it can’t be seen normally, but whenever I unplug multiple devices, it keeps me from trying to figure out which black cord goes with which device.

]]> By: L. http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-34982 L. Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:12:30 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-34982 Pretty! Pretty!

]]> By: Celeste http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-34981 Celeste Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:06:57 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-34981 I think it's kind of cool. The labeling items would outlast a lot of the appliances that they are attached to and then you could just re-use them. Masking tape becomes very dry and brittle over time and will just break off and leave a residue that is hard to clean off. The adhesive is only meant for temporary use. I think it’s kind of cool. The labeling items would outlast a lot of the appliances that they are attached to and then you could just re-use them.

Masking tape becomes very dry and brittle over time and will just break off and leave a residue that is hard to clean off. The adhesive is only meant for temporary use.

]]> By: Cat http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-34980 Cat Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:05:39 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-34980 Joe and Pete sound (sounds? Suspect it's the same poster) like a set-up to promote these things. Similar odd capitalization of non-proper nouns, and a little too enthusiastic... suspicious. Looks like a convenient product, although I think using two colored sticky dots (the type designed for pricetags at garage sales, I think) back-to-back around each cord for an item would work fine, possibly with a twist-tie (either normal grocery store type or the rugged, plastic type with teeth), to which another dot of the same color could be affixed, to keep several together. Joe and Pete sound (sounds? Suspect it’s the same poster) like a set-up to promote these things. Similar odd capitalization of non-proper nouns, and a little too enthusiastic… suspicious.

Looks like a convenient product, although I think using two colored sticky dots (the type designed for pricetags at garage sales, I think) back-to-back around each cord for an item would work fine, possibly with a twist-tie (either normal grocery store type or the rugged, plastic type with teeth), to which another dot of the same color could be affixed, to keep several together.

]]> By: Joe http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-34978 Joe Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:31:26 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-34978 I have tried many different types of tape. Some work better than others but I like things to look clean and simple. Especially for the cords that are visible. Here is an example where tape just doesn't cut it: My wife and I have the similar cellphone cords and we charge them on the kitchen counter. We snapped and Dotz Identifier on each (mine is red hers is blue). Now we can easily identify which cord belongs to who and it looks nice sitting out. We also orderd the Cord Wraps by Dotz to get rid of the extra cord...Now it looks neat, uncluttered, and Stylish. As I mentioned above we have found all kinds of uses for these around the house. We clipped them onto our kids backpacks, sporting equipment, art supply pail (handles), water bottle straps, etc. etc. It is just a great little self contained unit for identifing things. Tape just doesn't cut it for me anymore! I have tried many different types of tape. Some work better than others but I like things to look clean and simple. Especially for the cords that are visible. Here is an example where tape just doesn’t cut it: My wife and I have the similar cellphone cords and we charge them on the kitchen counter. We snapped and Dotz Identifier on each (mine is red hers is blue). Now we can easily identify which cord belongs to who and it looks nice sitting out. We also orderd the Cord Wraps by Dotz to get rid of the extra cord…Now it looks neat, uncluttered, and Stylish. As I mentioned above we have found all kinds of uses for these around the house. We clipped them onto our kids backpacks, sporting equipment, art supply pail (handles), water bottle straps, etc. etc. It is just a great little self contained unit for identifing things. Tape just doesn’t cut it for me anymore!

]]> By: Pete http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-34975 Pete Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:50:19 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-34975 @Joe What kind of Tape did you use? I admit, any duct-tape style labeling becomes an awful mess. But, I would think that white masking tape will not do that. @Joe
What kind of Tape did you use? I admit, any duct-tape style labeling becomes an awful mess. But, I would think that white masking tape will not do that.

]]> By: Millie http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-34974 Millie Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:48:36 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-34974 I really like this. As someone with a million cables beside my bed, chargers and all sorts it could really help me sort them out. Thanks! I really like this. As someone with a million cables beside my bed, chargers and all sorts it could really help me sort them out. Thanks!

]]> By: Sara http://unclutterer.com/2009/06/15/cordotz-clear-cable-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-34970 Sara Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:37:40 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=5667#comment-34970 This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing! I agree there are probably cheaper ways of doing this, but the dots look so convenient and fun. :) This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing! I agree there are probably cheaper ways of doing this, but the dots look so convenient and fun. :)

]]>