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OK, this is a very specific point to comment on, but - I'd disagree with you about the computer cables. I occasionally get annoyed by my Big Box Of Cables: I u

OK, this is a very specific point to comment on, but - I'd disagree with you about the computer cables. I occasionally get annoyed by my Big Box Of Cables: I used to work in digital filmmaking, so I've really got a LOT of cables in there. And it's a pain to have to wrap 'em, store 'em, and periodically cull 'em (I think I can safely chuck out the SVideo cables now...). But whenever I need a cable whilst working, I can check that box, and after a bit of digging, it's usually in there. 5 minutes lost max. If I don't have a cable in that box, I either have to go out to buy one - total time loss between 25 min and 2 hours depending on whether I need to journey to Maplin or can just get it locally - or buy from Amazon, which could be a day lost if the task I need the cable for is on the critical path for whatever I'm doing. Local storage is sometimes more efficient. (Having said that, I did make one change a while back. Unless I'm really, really sure I will need more, I only ever keep 2 of a specific cable type. At one point the spare cat-5 was threatening to take over the house.)

to3m 9y ago
The key is to wrap them up somehow (I put mine in freezer bags) so they don't get tangled while in storage. The parent post's comment about a ball of cables suggests they don't do this. That can make storing lots of cables feel like a much worse idea than it actually is. If you have them in freezer bags or whatever, on the other hand, you can just chuck them all in a box or bag, put it somewhere you can't see it, and you're done. When you need a cable or adapter or widget that you're certain you've got, rummage through your collection until you find it. You're also less likely to lose any little caps or adapters that these things sometimes come with.
- thenomad 9y ago
  That's a really clever idea, and I am absolutely going to do that from now on. (I just wrap 'em neatly currently. The film industry is good at techniques for cable control. But I've not heard the "freezer bag" idea before! )
  - to3m 9y ago
    Go forth and spread the word!

to3m 9y ago

The key is to wrap them up somehow (I put mine in freezer bags) so they don't get tangled while in storage. The parent post's comment about a ball of cables suggests they don't do this. That can make storing lots of cables feel like a much worse idea than it actually is. If you have them in freezer bags or whatever, on the other hand, you can just chuck them all in a box or bag, put it somewhere you can't see it, and you're done. When you need a cable or adapter or widget that you're certain you've got, rummage through your collection until you find it. You're also less likely to lose any little caps or adapters that these things sometimes come with.

thenomad 9y ago
That's a really clever idea, and I am absolutely going to do that from now on. (I just wrap 'em neatly currently. The film industry is good at techniques for cable control. But I've not heard the "freezer bag" idea before! )
- to3m 9y ago
  Go forth and spread the word!