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Dealing w/ Massively Multiplying Power Cables?

Posted by Cliff on from the breeding-like-rabbits dept.

Darius Jedburgh asks: "Wireless networking is all very well but network cables make up only a small proportion of the cables in my house. When I come home ,I plug in my GBA Micro, PowerBook, Palm, cellphone and iPod to recharge alongside camera, and other devices. Meanwhile I have power adapters for PCs, routers, access points, cable modems, monitors and external hard drives. Every time I buy a new gadget there's another cable (or two) to install. How do people keep this proliferation under control? Are there any products available to help to organize and ease the distribution of power at home? Does anyone know of novel ideas in power distribution in current development that might make things easier in the future?"

4 of 85 comments (clear)

  1. Solution by Hamster+Of+Death · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Buy less crap that you don't -really- need.

    1. Re:Solution by the+eric+conspiracy · · Score: 2, Insightful


      Mod parent up.

      Never buy anything that needs to be painted, fed or recharged. Another way to reduce the mess is to buy larger computer cases that hold more stuff, thus reducing the need for a lot of external doodads.

      Also if you haven't used it in a year, give it away (maybe to a charity) so that you can write it off.

  2. One other point.. by Myself · · Score: 3, Insightful

    All those chargers represent "phantom loads", since they draw a little power and warm themselves up just a little, even when there's nothing connected to the output.

    Make yourself a charging shelf, somewhere in the house. Near the front door is a fine place, since you'll want to grab the phone and PDA on your way out. Put all the chargers there, on a switched power strip. When you're not home, turn it off.

  3. Re:Inductive charging by fishybell · · Score: 3, Insightful
    You seem to be forgetting one important point blocking truly universal power: the buck.

    Have you ever lost a cell phone charger, or needed a second one? You know what I'm talking about then. The blasted things cost (and apparently sell) for $30 to $50 from the cell company. Even off brand ones will cost you $15 or more. With some sort of universal power mechanism (splash pad, dc power at the plug, etc) many businesses lose a revenue stream.

    It's very, very unlikely to happen any time soon.

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