Plugs, Plugs, Everywhere!

DeathStar1 · 04-23-2006, 10:03 AM

Lets count them down, shall we?

Monitor:Video Cable, Power Plug
Portable HD:USB and Power
computer:USB Keyboard wireless, SoundCard/3, Power
Scanner:USB
Gamecube:Video/Power
NintendoDS: Power
5 Speaker wires
1 Speaker Wire remote

Is it possible to invent a reliable version for wireless power? We'd probably still have to plug in a USB port somewhere to get it to work, but at least it would eliminate the wires somewhat. Or is there a device like this being worked on?

I'd pay $50's at least for it

Joseph DeMartino · 04-23-2006, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Is it possible to invent a reliable version for wireless power?

We have one. It's called "microwave", but it really isn't practical for home use.

Regards,

Joe

MarkHastings · 04-23-2006, 12:56 PM

Aside from the obvious dangers of wireless power, there's still nothing better and more reliable than hard wired.

Most of my hard wired devices don't need to be moved, so it's not that hard to hide the wires. And even still, I'll deal with a pile of wires over the problems of wireless.

I went to CopmUSA to look for a mouse for my laptop and 90% of their mice were wireless!

Is it really that annoying to have a wire going from your computer to you mouse?

Cameron_S · 04-23-2006, 02:07 PM

I used to feel the same way, but then I got a wireless mouse. Yee haw!!!

DonRoeber · 04-23-2006, 03:31 PM

I believe it's called "Solar"

Last I checked, there were no plugs or wires.

**HTF Ads**

JeremyErwin · 04-23-2006, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkHastings

I went to CopmUSA to look for a mouse for my laptop and 90% of their mice were wireless!

Is it really that annoying to have a wire going from your computer to you mouse?

That really depends on whether you consider batteries and potentially poor quality wireless reception or the mouse tail getting the way to be the greater problem. I used to think optical mice were a gimmick, until I got tired of cleaning the balls and rollers. Now, I use a corded optical mouse.

The measure of a input device should not be whether the quirks are annoying, but rather that it should have no quirks at all.

Sometime ago I participated in a slashdot discussion on a small, cute laptop. Unfortunately, the memory was limited to 512 MB. I pointed out that this was a rather small amount of memory. Others suggested that by using various techniques, one could reduce the need for more RAM. But, if one is shopping for a new machine, isn't that a sign that one is tired of managing memory, that one is tired of looking at system requirements, and that one wants freedom?

JeremyErwin · 04-23-2006, 06:10 PM

Back when NASA's engineers still entertained hubristic dreams, there were plans to construct large solar power satellites that would convert solar energy into microwaves, which would be beamed down to ground stations. The solar power satellites would, iirc be constructed at L4 and L5, where large space stations would be located. The raw materials would probably come from the asteroid belt.

MarkHastings · 04-23-2006, 06:19 PM

Quote:

That really depends on whether you consider batteries and potentially poor quality wireless reception or the mouse tail getting the way to be the greater problem.

Oh, I never thought that people would really be bothered by the mouse tail. I've been using a mouse (with a wire) for almost 20 years now and I can't say that I've ever said "Damn mouse cord!"

I can definitely see wireless possibilities (i.e. when your computer is very far away), but I just don't see why you'd want to deal with the negatives of wireless when you're sitting right in front of your computer.

Quote:

small, cute laptop.

Yeah, in my 'laptop' thread, I was debating on a "Cool" laptop vs. a more powerful "Boring" laptop, but the boring one won out because I realized that the coolness factor of technology just doesn't make up for lack of functionality.

Quote:

The measure of a input device should not be whether the quirks are annoying, but rather that it should have no quirks at all.

Very true. Considering that most technology has it's quirks, it's usually best to go with something that's more reliable, even if it means dealing with a cord.

p.s. A friend of mine just bought a wireless keyboard for her husband so he could use the computer while sitting on the couch. Oh man! It sucks that people are willing to go with inferior devices because they either want to be lazy or just 'cool'. - That's why the CompUSA thing bugged me. It seems like they are pushing the coolness factor over functionality.

nolesrule · 04-23-2006, 07:04 PM

I switched to wireless keyboard and mouse because I have a keyboard/mouse tray on my computer desk. I got tired of a) getting the wire tangled in the tray roller and b) catching the wire with my foot causing the mouse or keyboard to go flying.

I've had my wireless keyboard and mouse for about 3-4 years now. Not sure I would call them inferior devices.

MarkHastings · 04-23-2006, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Not sure I would call them inferior devices

Well, technically, anything cordless (that uses batteries) is going to be inferior to something corded (or hard wired).

Just like my wireless network. No matter how great it works for my laptop, it's still inferior to a hard wired connection into the network.