Thread: Sunday Round Table Jabber - Sunday evening all welcome

Originally Posted by doug3030

... Additional instructions for millennials - Do not drink it.

But it smells deliscious!

Sunday Round Table Jabber 19th September 2021

Hot topic for discussion

Do you have a computer in your workshop / shed? Would you like one? If you answered yes to either of the above;what do you or would you use it for? To start you thinking, here is a list of possibilities which came to my mind:

• 1. Communications - Phone, Emails, Online orders
• 2. CNC controller - Gcode creation and editing
• 3. 3D printing
• 4 . 3D modelling / sketching
• 5. Google search, etc.
• 6. YouTube
• 7. Download online plans, instructions, cutting lists, etc.
• 8. Access Woodwork Forums
• 9. Exchange How-tos, WIP, Photos and advice with fellow members

I am sure that you will think of others.

I know that I am not the only one currently experiencing hardware and software problems due to the age of my computers and software. While we may be able to find temporary solutions or work-arounds, inevitably the time is coming when we have to upgrade our systems - or maybe you have already done so and have the old system just taking up space. Either way the old system may well be a good candidate for the workshop computer.

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday and hearing your thoughts.

https://join.skype.com/u73k1kv4B1UL to join the discussion as a guest (existing members - I know you know what to do because you taught me)

Cheers
Bob

Originally Posted by Oldgreybeard

Do you have a computer in your workshop / shed? Would you like one? If you answered yes to either of the above;what do you or would you use it for?

Spotify music streaming
Storing and reading PDF versions of tool/equipment manuals

Originally Posted by Oldgreybeard

... Do you have a computer in your workshop / shed? Would you like one? If you answered yes to either of the above;what do you or would you use it for? To start you thinking, here is a list of possibilities which came to my mind: ...

Bob, although I do not participate in the hook-up I do follow the discussion.

I mainly use my computer for CAD - computer aided design - using mainly Rhinosceros and Autocad. The manufacturers constantly upgrade the sophistication of their programs which means that they progressively require higher specification hardware. This basically means that you need a fairly modern video card and a fairly modern CPU and a reasonable amount of memory. For drawing work (only?) relegating an old machine to the workshop may be counterproductive.

I also ran your post past the nerd on the corner who tutors IT at uni and he said:

• printers hate dust,
• disc drives hate dust (remember them?),
• not sure on the effect of fumes and vapours,
• laptops hate concrete floors (his personal experience),
• keyboards used to hate coffee but are more robust now; if in doubt use it in a plastic bag,
• screen & other parts should be OK - occasional clean with compressed air good.

Good morning all.
GraemeCook has hinted at probably the most important questions for a full discussion of this topic.

It may be all good and well to want to have a computer in the shed, but is it practical?

1. Is it necessary - I was anticipating get beaten around the ears suggesting we need a computer in the shed for phone , emails etc; isn't that what your smart phone, iPad , etc. is meant for. So why duplicate it.

2. Environmental issues may be a game changer. In my case I have no WIFI / internet access nor do I want to set aside space to set up a dedicated dust free area in my shed.

3. I have 2 desktop computers in the house (about 20 metres from the back door), a 15" laptop and a 10" android tablet and both Maureen and I have our mobile phones. If we really need computer facilities in the work shop, isn't the question really about how can we better utilise the resources we have?

So now you have a few more questions to contemplate for Sunday's discussion.
https://join.skype.com/u73k1kv4B1UL to join the discussion as a guest

See you Sunday at 7.30pm
Cheers,
Bob

Originally Posted by Oldgreybeard

Do you have a computer in your workshop / shed? Would you like one? If you answered yes to either of the above;what do you or would you use it for?

I have a really old laptop in my workshop. I thought it would be good for looking things up as needed, but:
1. I hate having to use a computer when not in the office, where I use one all day, every day.
2. It's so slow, it takes too long to look up anything anyway.

So, it sits there, and only gets pulled out for the Friday Lunch Prattle, because the one thing it still manages well are video calls.

Originally Posted by Oldgreybeard

Sunday Round Table Jabber 19th September 2021

Hot topic for discussion

Do you have a computer in your workshop / shed? Would you like one? If you answered yes to either of the above;what do you or would you use it for? To start you thinking, here is a list of possibilities which came to my mind:

• 1. Communications - Phone, Emails, Online orders
  
• 2. CNC controller - Gcode creation and editing
• 3. 3D printing
• 4 . 3D modelling / sketching
• 5. Google search, etc.
• 6. YouTube
• 7. Download online plans, instructions, cutting lists, etc.
• 8. Access Woodwork Forums
• 9. Exchange How-tos, WIP, Photos and advice with fellow members

I am sure that you will think of others.

I know that I am not the only one currently experiencing hardware and software problems due to the age of my computers and software. While we may be able to find temporary solutions or work-arounds, inevitably the time is coming when we have to upgrade our systems - or maybe you have already done so and have the old system just taking up space. Either way the old system may well be a good candidate for the workshop computer.

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday and hearing your thoughts.

https://join.skype.com/u73k1kv4B1UL to join the discussion as a guest (existing members - I know you know what to do because you taught me)

Cheers
Bob

A great topic and i'd like to get to this one but just in case my thoughts are:

Yes I have two computers in my shed, one has dual screens and one is a laptop, with a crap battery.

Working down your list
1. This is done either on the phone/tablet/office PC - not in shed
2. No CNC
3. 3D printer, yeah two of them. Design, creation and prep all done on the Office PC however Web based management of one of them is done on either of the shed pcs or the office one.
4. as per 3 all done on the Office PC in comfort.
5 Mixed use across all pc's
6 office pc
7 Generally office but may display data in shed
8 in comfort in the office
9 Now this is rare but again it would be using the obvious pc at the time

10 Christmas light control and scheduling is the primary use of the desktop with multiple screens in my shed, the other uses above are nearly incidental, it's also the machine that has the fastest disk and usually the highest RAM but it itself is 7+ years old

My office laptop is approaching 5yrs, but still near current tech.
I have a office PC as well, but it's kept only for emergency use, got to be 8 yrs now but still performs fine with all current OS and software i use.
My office laptop is a 17" 4k display high end Dell but is approaching it's 5yr birthday .... but still beats most current mid range options.
The shed PC is as above but usually a lower end processor but fast disk and big RAM.
The shed laptop is around 10yr, and getting long in the tooth but a solid state disk gave it a new lease in life it's just the battery now sucks.

Most of the gear above was cost to the top of the line at the time of purchase and this gives it a longer life span in use.
I know that a lot of people can't do this for any number of reasons and buy at the bottom end but with this comes a potential reduced usefulness over time as OS and software get updated over time.... phones and tablets are the perfect example of this.

The old computer is in my opinion rarely a good candidate for the shed unless it's for limited use that it still works well with.

One suggestion could be also to just use a Tablet out in the workshop shed,it would not take much effort to make a “Book stand” of sorts with a plastic cover of sorts over the screen,tho i have know idea if that would work with Touch screens tho ?.

From my little experience of using one there fairly simple,especially if you don’t use an external keyboard,tho i do love my external keyboard on mine.

Bob maybe we could convince you too get a Tablet maybe [emoji6].

Cheers Matt.

Originally Posted by Simplicity

Bob maybe we could convince you too get a Tablet maybe [emoji6].

Cheers Matt.

I do have a tablet, but without WIFI or decent internet reception in the shed / garage, it doesn't help very much

Cheers
Bob

Originally Posted by Oldgreybeard

I do have a tablet, but without WIFI or decent internet reception in the shed / garage, it doesn't help very much

Get a WIFI booster. I think mine cost me $20.

Originally Posted by Simplicity

One suggestion could be also to just use a Tablet out in the workshop shed,it would not take much effort to make a “Book stand” of sorts with a plastic cover of sorts over the screen,tho i have know idea if that would work with Touch screens tho ?.

From my little experience of using one there fairly simple,especially if you don’t use an external keyboard,tho i do love my external keyboard on mine.

Bob maybe we could convince you too get a Tablet maybe [emoji6].

Cheers Matt.

Tablets and keyboards, even laptops, can fit in a plastic bag, and still be usable.

My current shed computer is a basic but modern laptop.

I use it to play music, usually 1970's youtube playlists.

I also have the tables of cutting speeds for the metal lathe and milling machine loaded on a tab for easy access when needed.

It also comes in hande for the occasional "how to" video or an online plan if I am using one.

My new shed computer was supposed to have been delivered yesterday, but got delayed somehow, probably Covid related.

Now it probably won't be here until Monday.

The new computer will add a few capabilities that were not available on the old one but the old one will still continue it's current tasks.

Here's a link to the new computer.

It is with a heavy heart that I must past on the tragic news That Bob AKA Old grey beards Lap tops computer as Die after a gallant effort with 240 volts.

So ironically Bob may or may not be with us tonight, but will be there in our hearts.

We will also have Ten second moment of silence as a mark of respect for the passing of the Battery.

Cheers Matt.[emoji20]

Well that's just great!

In he came for just one meeting, sets the topic for the next one then blows up his computer (ironically the topic he nominated) and disappears never to be seen again.

He will be sadly missed.