Wednesday, December 09, 2009

It's Time for a Dedicated Server

It seems as though I'm always giving exams. Presently my students are working on their Final for the module materials. There was a listening section and now they're writing. Sometimes, I finish correcting other things but still find myself with some time.

Even the weak wifi connection in SE26 is adequate for working on my tiny little netbook. I love my Acer One and I must depend on it a lot this week. Of course it's great for toting to work. The screen is a perfect size for travelling but it's a bit small for everyday use. I will be using it a lot this week though, as my big home PC is unplugged and in the storage room at home. When ripping up our old wall-to-wall carpet, I decided to get rid of the unwieldy computer desk. It did hold my CPU tower, keyboard and mouse, monitor, printer, and router. It held all of that plus a whole lot of extra junk. I originally planned on replacing the desk with a new one.

Photo: My Current Computer Case.Now, however, I am thinking about organizing my equipment differently. I think I want the current computer to become my main server. It will connect only to the wide-screen TV for media functionality. I'll still run the Internet into it and connect it to my HTS receiver. So in many ways, it will work as it always has.

The big difference is I don't want huge desk taking up precious space in my tiny living room. Therefore, I've decided that the box will not have a monitor. As I will be streaming to my television, I can turn on that screen to do maintenance or specific Windows 7 tasks. For regular around-the-house computing, I will pick up new, inexpensive laptop. If I get one with a 16 inch screen, I can avoid having to use a special desk. Rather, I will be able to sit at the ordinary table. Or I could lie on the floor, stretch out on the bed, or go out on the balcony.

I could never give up easy access to a computer, but I am redefining my own idea of what that means. Nowadays computing doesn't have to take place at one, centrally-located home computer.


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