Archives for Cable Clutter
Control cable-clutter with a monkey braid
An excellent post on cable clutter from The Closet Entrepreneur has been making the rounds this week. It shows how to use a monkey braid (or chain sinnet) to shorten cables so they stay out of the way and don’t get tangled.
I tried it out with a particularly annoying 25′ 13-pin MIDI cable I use frequently and it works just as advertised. Sometimes the best things in life really are free.
(via Lifehacker)
Popularity: 4% [?]
Cable clutter at Insuracare in The Incredibles
While re-watching The Incredibles this past weekend, I noticed something particularly interesting about Bob’s cubicle workspace at Insuracare, where he worked as a claims adjuster. If you look at the back of his computer monitor, you will notice about 20 different cables coming out of the back. It’s amazing how such a small detail really adds to the feeling of bleakness in his job situation.
If you’ll remember, the film was released over a year before Disney’s 2006 acquisition of Pixar, while Steve Jobs was still the Chairman and CEO, which almost leaves me wondering if the shot was some kind of subliminal attempt to sell us on the merits of the iMac and its single power cable (at least when used with a bluetooth mouse and keyboard).
Can you think of any other scenes in movies where the disorganization of an environment is purposefully used to create a particular mood or sense of anxiety?
Popularity: 8% [?]
Cordotz clear cable confusion
Reader Tomas recently tipped me off to Cordotz, a cable organizing solution.
I really like the cord identifier straps and the cord identifier buttons for labeling and controlling the mess under your desk or behind the television. Pre-printed labels come with each package, and you can also print your own labels with their DIY sheet. A pack of 10 buttons or straps sells for $10. Oddly, to purchase the items, you need to click on the “locate” tab on the homepage.
Popularity: 12% [?]
CableBox is a box for cables
BlueLounge Design, the maker of the SpaceStation we wrote about back in March, is now selling a product called the CableBox. It’s basically just a plastic box (available in either white or black) designed to hold a power-strip inside to help contain cable clutter.
We admit this seems overpriced and ordinarily we would be tempted to find a simpler and less-expensive solution to the problem. That said, we’re hesitant to pile electrical cables inside anything not expressly designed for that intended purpose. So it’s worth considering, irrespective of the price. It’s also nice to have a more flexible alternative to the Belkin Concealed Surge Protecter, which requires you to use its own integrated power-strip.
Popularity: 12% [?]
Bluetooth keyboard with integrated trackpad eliminates wires and multiple devices
During a recent visit to Chicago, I took some time to setup a Home Theater PC for my parents, which they now use to watch Blu-ray movies and television programs streamed over the web.
Unfortunately, the effective range of their old wireless keyboard and mouse was just shy of the distance between the PC and the sofa. It was also somewhat frustrating to have to use the optical mouse either on the upholstry or a on a knee. A better solution was clearly warranted.
I was very pleased to eventually find the Logitech Cordless Mediaboard Pro. It has an integrated trackpad, so the mouse problem was eliminated. Bluetooth connectivity gives the device a range of about 30 feet, which now lets them use it from anywhere in the room.
Although this keyboard is marketed for the PlayStation 3, it works just fine with a Mac or a PC.
In addition to being a cable-free solution, it’s also better looking than most Bluetooth keyboards.
Popularity: 15% [?]
Christoph Niemann’s My Life With Cables
Artist Christoph Niemann reflected on his relationship with cables and wires on the New York Times blog Abstract City. His distain for cable clutter is right at home with Unclutterer and I’m sure many of you will enjoy it.
The whimsical art that Niemann creates incorporates actual cables with his illustrations. From the blog:
I don’t even want to get started about the endless varieties of cables, chargers and adapters out there. My biggest frustration stems from a much simpler problem: I use a lot of extension cords with multiple sockets. Although these cords are obviously designed to power six cables, I can barely squeeze in three, since most electronic equipment nowadays seems to sport absurdly large plugs. This reminds me of some very inconsiderate folks one so often encounters on the subway.
Power Strip Liberators can help with this specific problem. For more helpful ideas on dealing with cable and wire problems, check out the posts archived in our Cable Clutter category.
Thanks to reader Emily for bringing this to our attention.
Popularity: 11% [?]
PowerShelf charging stations
If making a charging station (like we recommended earlier this morning) isn’t up your alley, then we know of a product that might interest you. One of our Twitter followers tipped us off to The Power Shelf:
I especially like one of their products that is currently in development. It’s a PowerShelf for hair appliances like curling irons, straighteners, and blow dryers.
Popularity: 15% [?]
DIY charging station
I’ve been thinking a great deal about do-it-yourself projects lately (the economy has that effect on me), and wanted to share a favorite find. Blogger Zakka Life posted directions on her site for creating a cell phone charging station out of an old lotion bottle:
Simple, recycled, and space saving — a trifecta of uncluttering!
Thanks to reader Adora for the initial link.
Popularity: 18% [?]
Ask Unclutterer: Cable clutter and wall-mounted televisions
Reader John submitted the following to Ask Unclutterer:
I am mounting a flat screen TV over my fireplace and the cable and electric receptacles are several feet away. What is the best way to eliminate the cable clutter in order to give it a clean look?
The first thing I need to say is that mounting a flat screen television above a fireplace almost always nullifies the warranty (even if you don’t use the fireplace, and even if it’s gas).
Secondly, codes in your area might require that you install a plug immediately behind your television above your fireplace. In many states, it is against code to have exposed wires above a fireplace. I know this is true in Virginia because two of my close friends learned this when they recently had their homes inspected.
Noting these two things, it is best for me to recommend that you hire a licensed electrician to: 1. Wire a new outlet above your fireplace, and 2. Wire HDMI cables (an any other cables you need) back through the wall to a nearby outlet. You might also consider hiring a professional installer to ensure that your TV is well secured to the wall.
You will still need a component console to hold your DVR, cable box, Blu-Ray player, or whatever boxes you want to connect to your TV. Set up your component station next to the HDMI wired outlet. Then, replace the damaged drywall, paint up the patches, and call it a day (or, more likely, a week).
You will have to decide if putting a TV over the fireplace is really worth it: Your TV instantly goes out of warranty, you have to pay a licensed electrician to install a new outlet that is up to code, you have to repair your wall, and you still need a console in the room to hold your components. But, for some people, the time, effort, and expense will be worth it.
Thank you, John, for submitting your question for our Ask Unclutterer column.
Do you have a question relating to organizing, cleaning, home and office projects, productivity, or any problems you think the Unclutterer team could help you solve? To submit your questions to Ask Unclutterer, go to our contact page and type your question in the content field. Please list the subject of your e-mail as “Ask Unclutterer.” If you feel comfortable sharing images of the spaces that trouble you, let us know about them. The more information we have about your specific issue, the better.
Popularity: 19% [?]
Universal cell phone charger by 2012
News hit Tuesday that 17 phone manufacturers have agreed to use Micro-USB chargers on all phones by 2012. According to ZDNet, “Companies signed up to the initiative include Nokia, Motorola, Orange, Qualcomm, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, T-Mobile, 3, Telefónica and Vodafone. HTC was not on the list of compliant companies in the announcement, but an HTC spokesperson told ZDNet UK on Tuesday that the manufacturer will participate in the scheme.”
I love the idea of a single charger being able to power multiple devices, but I worry that this announcement is a little too late. In three years’ time, devices like mobile phones might best be charged with cable-free technology, like “WITricity” or Powermats.
Another unsettling point is that many of the smart phone makers didn’t sign onto this agreement. Palm, Blackberry, and Apple aren’t among those on the participation list. I don’t see Apple changing their docking systems to Micro-USB in three years.
I definitely believe that this is a move in the right direction. A single power cord is a brilliant idea. However, I worry that Micro-USB may be an irrelevant standard in three-years’ times.
(via ZDNet and reader Clare)
(Note: An astute reader pointed out that the image is a Mini-USB port instead of a Micro-USB port. Sorry for the confusion! There are so many standards, even I got confused. Ugh!!)
Popularity: 8% [?]
Wireless kitchen
Out of all of the products that I’ve seen from the Consumer Electronics Show this year, the Powermat may be the most technologically uncluttered. According to Powermat’s creators, they ”bring safe, simple, and efficient wireless electricity to surfaces including walls, tables, floors, and desktops. It is designed to replace the need to access multiple electrical sockets.”
One of Powermat’s products is the “electric” counter top. The video below shows a stand-up mixer running on nothing else but the Powermat technology. The mixer has no power cord and is equipped with a Powermat receiver on the inside. The option of running non-Powermat equipped products is also possible by using a wireless outlet that is equipped with the receiver. The technology is safe when exposed to water and can power the 300 watt mixer on full power with no problems.
Watch the video for a better idea of how Powermat can change the way we power our small kitchen appliances. I’m looking forward to this product hitting the U.S. market.
(via CNET)
Popularity: 16% [?]
Soundbar includes Blu-ray, Netflix and Pandora
I’ve written a couple of posts about soundbars in the past, but they just keep improving by leaps and bounds. (Not unlike everything else in the consumer electronics industry.) The Samsung HT-BD8200 features a Blu-ray player and the ability to stream from Netflix and Pandora. Other features include an iPod dock, the ability to stream audio from A2DP-compatible Bluetooth audio devices, and a wireless subwoofer.
With all of the features that are included in this speaker it is a decent option for those of us who want to keep our cable clutter under control without sacrificing our sound or entertainment options. The speaker was shown at last week’s Consumer Electronics Show and is probably going to be released in the first half of 2009.
(via CNET)
Popularity: 8% [?]
Power strips that work well with wall warts
Recently, I’ve stumbled upon a few alternatives to traditional power strips that alleviate or reduce the space-hogging wall wart problem:
First up is a surge protector that swivels. This one is good for extra wide wall warts:
Next is the UFO power adaptor. You don’t gain a lot of outlets from this one, but you can outfit it with many wall warts:
Finally is the power strip liberator. I have a few of these under my desk currently. They’re simply five inch electrical cords that allow you to use a regular plug in your power strip:
Let us know of additional wall wart space hogging solutions in the comments!
Popularity: 9% [?]
Desk by Jarl Fernaeus
Here is an interesting prototype desk that was entered into the European design competition Prix Emile Hermés. The desk designed by Swedish designer Jarl Fernaeus includes an integrated lamp, charging station, and storage compartments.
The stool/desk combo features some very useful compartments that can cut down on wire clutter and it also has some great solutions for storage. Storage areas are tucked away in a sleek desk drawer and in the stool.
For final specs on the prototype see the Jarl Fernaeus website.
(via Apartment Therapy)
Popularity: 11% [?]
Lightbulbs next wifi hotspots?
According to Cellular-News, the College of Engineering at Boston University is launching a program aimed at developing the next generation of wireless communications based on visible light rather than radio waves. From the article:
“Imagine if your computer, iPhone, TV, radio and thermostat could all communicate with you when you walked in a room just by flipping the wall light switch and without the usual cluster of wires,” said BU Engineering Professor Thomas Little. “This could be done with an LED-based communications network that also provides light - all over existing power lines with low power consumption, high reliability and no electromagnetic interference. Ultimately, the system is expected to be applicable from existing illumination devices, like swapping light bulbs for LEDs.”
Fewer wires and increased communication with all of your devices sounds like a winning advancement to me. The technology for LED-based wifi has just begun, so I’m cheering for the labs at BU to work diligently to get this to market.
(via Engadget)
Popularity: 18% [?]
