Slashdot Mirror
Exotic Wood Computer Cases
Alien54 writes "Exotic Wood Crafts has turned an aluminum case into a wood veneer case. For those who don't know, a veneer is a very thin layer of wood, in this case, pressed onto the panels of the case, maintaining the strong and stable characteristics of an aluminum case, while giving it a one of a kind wood finish. Lots of pics, some pretty nice looking stuff."
These cases look great, but whats new here? I have seen this done plenty of times. I think even the Screen Savers on TechTV did this before. I guess what I am trying to say is, why is this on /.?
-- johntracy.com, because everybody else is wrong.
Wouldn't the wood covering just act like an insulator?
Now, if they made one out of concrete - Fred Flintstone style - I'd be really impressed!
Why would such a simple "case mod" make the Slashdot front page? It isn't even a "case mod", it's a "case decal".
I might as well dig out some shag carpet from my parent's house basement, glue it to the sides of my desktop machine, and post some pics. Results would be the same: something that looks cool for a couple weeks, then becomes tacky, then downright ugly and embarrassing in a few months.
davejenkins.com |
I used to screen print textiles, and we had a saying when people brought us garments with big holes in the threading: we can't print on air.
Wouldn't the same be here: you can't glue to air?
One more problem too is wood is a very good insulator so these cases would heat up more than any others as well.
I suspect we'll see many dead CPUs because of this
. . .in my mind, nature and technology just don't mix.
Where do you suppose silicon comes from? I like computers because they match the hand hewn exertior walls of my home.
My computer runs on electricty. Without electrons nature would be pretty much hosed. Although I have found out from experience that's it's best not to allow the naturally occuring electrons in the atmosphere to mingle with those in your computer. Lets all the magic smoke out and stuff.
Veneer itself is the result of technology, you'd be pretty hard pressed to make any without some, not to mention the technology of a wood-aluminum composite material, and composites are all the technological rage these days.
Got blue jeans? Nothing more than plant fibers twisted together ( depending on the brand there may also be some copper rivets. That's the only thing that seperates them from being neolithic. Copper is a natural material). You should try making a pair from scratch though. You'll find there's lots of technolgy involved.
Maybe your idea of nature needs reconsideration?
KFG
Sure, but you thought it was hard to find drives and periphials to match a black case? ;)
http://www.swedx.com/
While I'm sure it looks great (Slashdotted already) I would think that applying a wood veneer would negate at least some of the heat dissipation properties of the aluminum case. It's a big reason why case-modders go with aluminum cases in the first place.
You're one of those people that actually buys a case with transparent sides and blacklights, aren't you...
Seriously - what's with geeks and their lack of style and taste? I really want to know.
For my part, I'd like my computer to be invisible. Just a tray that comes out of the wall, into which I can put CD's when required.There's nothing appealing about computer cases or bare electronics.
I guess it appeals to the same people who buy car stereos in silver and vivid bright blue with big LED displays which utterly fail to match any part of the interior decor of the vehicle. Guys who never made it past the mental age of 12. "Space age GOOD!"
If I really streach it I can understand nice wooden details inside cars, but you guys even put it externaly. Veneer is butt-ugly when applied to the wrong stuff, like computer cases or cars.
When in doubt, act determined. Business 101
Why would such a simple "case mod" make the Slashdot front page? It isn't even a "case mod", it's a "case decal".
Veneer and wood finishing work is actually a specality field, and a respectable profession. I respect it as highly as good carpentry work. I'm only an amature as far as this goes and let me tell you the hours involved in steaming, shaping, cutting and getting the damn thing to stick, and not to speak of the time involed with applying a finish. And don't get me started on the mind numbing hours of repeative motions you have to peform. And all of without an eye for design is pretty worthless.
I consider all such projects of breaking away from the mass produced PC case worthy of note... from fine veneer work to even glueing some shag carpet on your PC case.
There is no sanctuary. There is no sanctuary. SHUT UP! There is no shut up. There is no shut up.
Really, isn't everything we use some form of technology? As the parent poster pointed out, veneer is an example of a technology, but even cutting down trees and making lumber involves more than one tech.
Weren't horse drawn carts at on point, high tech?
The perfect material for a case seems to be stained glass!
1. It's got good heat resistance and is seriously non-combusting for the extreme overclockers out there. While it won't help cool the computer much, computers don't cool by radiation much anyway, so that drawback is really trivial.
2. Leading canes are mostly real lead, and are put together with silver based solder, and panes are tinted with various metals (for example the usual bright red glass has about 5% metallic gold by weight inside, and blues are usually achieved with cobalt or copper). This means stained glass is a functional EMF shield, which those plexiglass windows are not. Just use lead crystal instead of plain glass for the completely clear panes, and your system should remain UL compliant.
3. It's a high prestige material, at least on a par with walnut burl. It's commonly used in upscale construction and implies both beauty and durability.
4. It will coordinate well with accessories such as Tiffany style desk lamps. Many computer accessories already feature substantial areas of luminescent glass, (although sadly most of these offset it with cheap plastic trim in colors such as beige or black).
5. Glass is an excellent insulator for electron flow. Connectors can be fitted direct to holes cut or drilled in glass and not trimmed with leading, to keep users safer from shock than conventional metallic cases.
6. no other material occurs in so many varieties of opacity, from clear or monochrome tinted varieties to extremely sophisticated polylucent and irridescent finishes. Individual pieces are often found in unique patterns, every bit as much a never to be duplicated arrangement as any wood grain pattern.
Who is John Cabal?