Assumption Abbey on wed 11 aug 99
Dear Readers,
I currently share a computer with others and am in the proccess of
getting a new computer for my pottery studio. Can others offer some input
with the rationale on this one ?
Do you have computer access in your clay area?
If you use a separate room how much of a factor is the 'dust' in terms
of the longevity of computer operation?
Any helps, hints; like running a humidifier to keep the dust down.
Can the machine be covered (which may not be very practical if it is used
heavily)?
The studio seems to be the logical place for a computer since that is
where I do the 'work' and process.
Any help and ideas on this thread would be appreciated.
Llewellyn Kouba
ABBEY POTTERY
http://www.assumptionabbey.com/Pottery.html
Bill Aycock on thu 12 aug 99
If you look in the archives- you will find that the subject of air
cleanliness in the studio is a much repeated thread. This is with REAL
justification. Clay dust can hurt you, if breathed in for a long time.
My point is that you should keep the place as near as dust free as you can-
then both you and the computer will have long lives. In the real world-
keep the main box covered when not in use , and vacuum it frequently. The
keyboard is innexpensive, and it and the monitor do not have fans to draw
the dust in. Printers should also be kept covered.
A nice setup would be to have the computer, monitor and printer in a closed
box with a glass front- with the mouse and keyboard out where you can touch
them.
Bill- on Persimmon Hill- where my big problem in computer cleaning is CAT
HAIR.
At 10:17 AM 8/11/99 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Dear Readers,
>
> Any helps, hints; like running a humidifier to keep the dust down.
>Can the machine be covered (which may not be very practical if it is used
>heavily)?
>
> The studio seems to be the logical place for a computer since that is
>where I do the 'work' and process.
>
> Any help and ideas on this thread would be appreciated.
>
>Llewellyn Kouba
-
Bill Aycock --- Persimmon Hill
Woodville, Alabama, US 35776
(in the N.E. corner of the State)
W4BSG -- Grid EM64vr
baycock@HiWAAY.net
w4bsg@arrl.net
Barney Adams on thu 12 aug 99
Hi,
As bad as dust is for you to breathe it also doesn't help the
life of yourdisk drive. Computer electronics also do not like
heateven though they are mainly silicon. They tend to fight the
heatby maintaining air flow through the computer which causes
the dust to build up and find ways into the tiniest spaces. The
most vunerable component would probably be the floppy drive.
After saying all this also realize that the computer will probably
become obsolete before it breaks down even with the dust.Much
depends on if it will be used occasionally or left on all the time.
Much like a car some of them you can abuse and theyseem to
run for ever while one thats cared for and babied is constantly in
the shop.
Barney
Assumption Abbey wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Dear Readers,
>
> I currently share a computer with others and am in the proccess of
> getting a new computer for my pottery studio. Can others offer some input
> with the rationale on this one ?
>
> Do you have computer access in your clay area?
>
> If you use a separate room how much of a factor is the 'dust' in terms
> of the longevity of computer operation?
>
> Any helps, hints; like running a humidifier to keep the dust down.
> Can the machine be covered (which may not be very practical if it is used
> heavily)?
>
> The studio seems to be the logical place for a computer since that is
> where I do the 'work' and process.
>
> Any help and ideas on this thread would be appreciated.
>
> Llewellyn Kouba
> ABBEY POTTERY
> http://www.assumptionabbey.com/Pottery.html
George Koller on thu 12 aug 99
Hello Llewellyn,
Have been keeping several computers in our studio for years - and one in a
particularly dust prone area. Probably not as hard on them as some people may
think.
First thing to note is that your floppy drives SIMPLY CANNOT SURVIVE in an area
that has clay dust. Second thing to note is that the air flow direction of
most desk/tower type units are "backwards" for keeping dust out. They draw air
in through your drives and push out the back. It's cheap and it keeps the CPU
cool - but wrong for us.
Look for a system that sucks air through the filter and blows it out. We
didn't find one for our price but maybe you can. There are also "Industrial
Cabinets" available. They are probably the proper solution to using a standard
computer set up. But they are also "industrial priced" relative to the super
low computer prices. Haven't kept up, so maybe somebody is doing this for the
right kind of price by now. Or maybe you can find one used?
Our solution has been to buy a basic unit, a best value type system, and use
a minimum cost network to another computer out of our clay areas. My advice:
Remove the disk drives, don't use them. They will destroy floppies and
frustrate you, and cost a lot of time.
I would advice you to look into Networking your system as makes sense for you
to another system out of the clay area. Network cards should be about $40.00
each, the cable is reasonable. Windoze 95 and so on has everything you need
built in so you don't need software. It's peer to peer and works nice and
simple. You'll probably need help getting set up but this is 10 year old
technology and standard stuff for most dealers.
The good news is that you can share printers, and other resources. We may well
find that the overall total costs are less, and the ease of use to transfer
files etc. is much better than "sneaker netting".
They make keyboard dust covers. Our monitor has been ok for years but again we
just used a minimal unit where the dust is worse. We don't use a mouse at this
station but you might want to select an optical mouse rather than a mechanical
one as another hedge.
Hope this helps,
George Koller
Sturgeon Bay, WI - Door County.
Assumption Abbey wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Dear Readers,
>
> I currently share a computer with others and am in the proccess of
> getting a new computer for my pottery studio. Can others offer some input
> with the rationale on this one ?
>
> Do you have computer access in your clay area?
>
> If you use a separate room how much of a factor is the 'dust' in terms
> of the longevity of computer operation?
>
> Any helps, hints; like running a humidifier to keep the dust down.
> Can the machine be covered (which may not be very practical if it is used
> heavily)?
>
> The studio seems to be the logical place for a computer since that is
> where I do the 'work' and process.
>
> Any help and ideas on this thread would be appreciated.
>
> Llewellyn Kouba
> ABBEY POTTERY
> http://www.assumptionabbey.com/Pottery.html
Rob on thu 12 aug 99
I'd think that the dust in the air would be tough on the hard drive, CD and
any other moving parts. Any water from glazes or clay (which seems to get
everywhere) would be equally tough. The studio is not the place for an
instrument as delicate as a computer. The obvious question is why? What
needs to be done on the computer in the studio that can't be done elsewhere?
Rob
Assumption Abbey wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Dear Readers,
>
> I currently share a computer with others and am in the proccess of
> getting a new computer for my pottery studio. Can others offer some input
> with the rationale on this one ?
>
> Do you have computer access in your clay area?
>
> If you use a separate room how much of a factor is the 'dust' in terms
> of the longevity of computer operation?
>
> Any helps, hints; like running a humidifier to keep the dust down.
> Can the machine be covered (which may not be very practical if it is used
> heavily)?
>
> The studio seems to be the logical place for a computer since that is
> where I do the 'work' and process.
>
> Any help and ideas on this thread would be appreciated.
>
> Llewellyn Kouba
> ABBEY POTTERY
> http://www.assumptionabbey.com/Pottery.html
Stephen Mills on thu 12 aug 99
Dear Llewellyn,
When we first acquired a PC for our business as potters suppliers we
found the resident dust in the workshop from the time when it was a full
time Pottery created a serious problem, particularly with backing up
data at the day's end. All the Computers seem to use the same layout of
drawing cooling air into the case through the floppy/CD slots and
ejecting out of the back. This meant that all surfaces inside the case
were soon covered with a fine layer of dust causing the backup errors
and several mild crashes per week. We solved this by turning the fan
around so that it blew air into the case, and fitting a large automotive
air filter to the outside of it. End of problem. We vacuum the filter
clean approximately once every 4 to 6 months, the insides of the cases
are wonderfully clean as are the contents!
Steve
Bath
UK
In message , Assumption Abbey writes
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Dear Readers,
>
> I currently share a computer with others and am in the proccess of
>getting a new computer for my pottery studio. Can others offer some input
>with the rationale on this one ?
>
> Do you have computer access in your clay area?
>
> If you use a separate room how much of a factor is the 'dust' in terms
>of the longevity of computer operation?
>
> Any helps, hints; like running a humidifier to keep the dust down.
>Can the machine be covered (which may not be very practical if it is used
>heavily)?
>
> The studio seems to be the logical place for a computer since that is
>where I do the 'work' and process.
>
> Any help and ideas on this thread would be appreciated.
>
>
>
>Llewellyn Kouba
>ABBEY POTTERY
>http://www.assumptionabbey.com/Pottery.html
>
--
Steve Mills
Bath
UK
home e-mail: stevemills@mudslinger.demon.co.uk
work e-mail: stevemills@bathpotters.demon.co.uk
own website: http://www.mudslinger.demon.co.uk
BPS website: http://www.bathpotters.demon.co.uk
amy parker on fri 13 aug 99
At 10:17 AM 8/11/99 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
...
> If you use a separate room how much of a factor is the 'dust' in terms
>of the longevity of computer operation?
>...
> The studio seems to be the logical place for a computer since that is
>where I do the 'work' and process.
Llewellyn Kouba
Don't even THINK about putting a computer in the same room with clay processes!
Dust will kill your "floppies". Dust will embed itself everywhere,
eventually shorting out the circuitry. Dust and computers do not coexist
peacefully!
Amy, who has been "in computers" since 1972 - have wrecked my share of them!
amy parker Lithonia, GA
amyp@sd-software.com
Jim Cullen on fri 13 aug 99
Hi all...
I keep a computer (a MAC) in my glaze area with INSIGHT 4.0 and Hyperglaze up
and running. I have wrapped the keyboard in SARAN WRAP and can type away
without worrying about wet, dirty, or glaze covered hands dripping into the
keyboard. I try to keep the dust to a minimum and don't expose my computer
nor myself to any unnecessary dust. Keeping a hand spray bottle mister in the
area helps.
I also run INSIGHT 5.0 and just started lookiing at MATRIX on my windows
laptop machine (not in the studio).
How did we function without all these computers????
KEEP CENTERED
Cullen
Naperville, Illinois
Ray Carlton on fri 13 aug 99
my gut reaction is forget it...i keep my computer well away from the dust
dirt and heat of the studio....this machine is jam packed with
microelectronic bits and it is full of holes with a fan at the rear cooling
the power supply and another on top of the cpu (brain}...therefor the whole
time it's running (you cant have it covered while it is running} the two
fans are working together to pull a vast quantity air and dust into the
very heart of the machine not to mention the cd rom and floppy drives....
cheers
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Dear Readers,
>
> I currently share a computer with others and am in the proccess of
>getting a new computer for my pottery studio. Can others offer some input
>with the rationale on this one ?
>
> Do you have computer access in your clay area?
>
> If you use a separate room how much of a factor is the 'dust' in terms
>of the longevity of computer operation?
>
> Any helps, hints; like running a humidifier to keep the dust down.
>Can the machine be covered (which may not be very practical if it is used
>heavily)?
>
> The studio seems to be the logical place for a computer since that is
>where I do the 'work' and process.
>
> Any help and ideas on this thread would be appreciated.
>
>
>
>Llewellyn Kouba
>ABBEY POTTERY
>http://www.assumptionabbey.com/Pottery.html
>
cheers Ray Carlton
McMahons Creek Victoria Australia
Russel Fouts on fri 13 aug 99
Steve,
>> When we first acquired a PC for our business as potters suppliers we
found the resident dust in the workshop from the time when it was a full
time Pottery created a serious problem, particularly with backing up data at
the day's end. All the Computers seem to use the same layout of drawing
cooling air into the case through the floppy/CD slots and
ejecting out of the back. This meant that all surfaces inside the case were
soon covered with a fine layer of dust causing the backup errors and several
mild crashes per week. We solved this by turning the fan around so that it
blew air into the case, and fitting a large automotive air filter to the
outside of it. End of problem. We vacuum the filter
clean approximately once every 4 to 6 months, the insides of the cases are
wonderfully clean as are the contents! <<
I'm intrigued, could you go into more detail on how you turned the fan
around, the type of automobile filter, where you attached it and how?
Russel
Russel Fouts
Mes Potes & Mes Pots
Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 223 02 75
Mobile: +32 476 55 38 75
Http://users.skynet.be/russel.fouts
http://www.Japan-Net.ne.jp/~iwcat
Now that I'm a "grown-up",
I don't have to go to bed until I'm tired,
can eat what ever I like
and hang out with whom ever I please.
So how come I'm tired at 10:00,
actually LIKE liver
and my Mother adores Enzo!
Stephen Mills on fri 13 aug 99
In message <000a01bee550$6aff1940$06c8a2c3@default>, Russel Fouts
writes
>Steve,
>
>>> When we first acquired a PC for our business as potters suppliers we
>found the resident dust in the workshop from the time when it was a full
>time Pottery created a serious problem, particularly with backing up data at
>the day's end. All the Computers seem to use the same layout of drawing
>cooling air into the case through the floppy/CD slots and
>ejecting out of the back. This meant that all surfaces inside the case were
>soon covered with a fine layer of dust causing the backup errors and several
>mild crashes per week. We solved this by turning the fan around so that it
>blew air into the case, and fitting a large automotive air filter to the
>outside of it. End of problem. We vacuum the filter
>clean approximately once every 4 to 6 months, the insides of the cases are
>wonderfully clean as are the contents! <<
>
>I'm intrigued, could you go into more detail on how you turned the fan
>around, the type of automobile filter, where you attached it and how?
I will try to describe as succinctly as I can:
The fan inside the power unit was detached, turned around, and re-
attached with spacers to prevent it clashing with the case. On the
outside: I cut a piece of 4mm flat plastic sheet to fit over the back of
the computer case with a 75mm hole in the middle of it and cemented a
short length of 75mm plastic rainwater pipe to it. I cemented a crossbar
and disc of the sheet plastic across the outer end of the pipe (again
with a 75mm hole in it), a longish piece of threaded rod was fixed to
the crossbar and another disc of plastic with a hole for the threaded
rod goes on the other end. In between the them goes a pan type air
filter intended to go on the carburettor of a 1500cc petrol engine. The
whole shebang is attached to the computer case with 3 self tapping
screws in existing holes, with a piece of soft polysheet wrapping as a
gasket. Phew!
If anyone wants a drawing, mail me and I'll send them a windows bitmap
or a fax AFTER this weekend (I'm Kiln building again with another group
of Pyromantics!!).
Steve
Bath
UK
>
>Russel
>
>Russel Fouts
>Mes Potes & Mes Pots
>Brussels, Belgium
> Tel: +32 2 223 02 75
> Mobile: +32 476 55 38 75
> Http://users.skynet.be/russel.fouts
> http://www.Japan-Net.ne.jp/~iwcat
>
> Now that I'm a "grown-up",
> I don't have to go to bed until I'm tired,
> can eat what ever I like
> and hang out with whom ever I please.
>
> So how come I'm tired at 10:00,
> actually LIKE liver
> and my Mother adores Enzo!
>
>
--
Steve Mills
Bath
UK
home e-mail: stevemills@mudslinger.demon.co.uk
work e-mail: stevemills@bathpotters.demon.co.uk
own website: http://www.mudslinger.demon.co.uk
BPS website: http://www.bathpotters.demon.co.uk
Carolyn Cooper on mon 16 aug 99
I'm probably repeating some advice of others, but after 17+ years in the
computer industry ranging from mainframes to minis to PCs to networks, here
are my tips and suggestions:
1. Dust, particularly clay dust, is bad for your lungs. It's even worse for
your computer. If you are putting a computer in a dusty environment, make
it a cheap one and *back up,* back up, back up your files on a regular
basis. A Zip or other removeable backup drive is well worth the extra $100.
Better yet, put a cheap computer in the work area *networked* to a better
computer in a cleaner environment. Use the better computer to store your
data.
2. Heat and cold are the second enemy of your PC. The rule used to be, if
you're uncomfortable, your computer's in danger, but potters are hearty
folks. computers, data storage media like diskettes and Zip cartridges, and
such hate temperatures below 55 degrees Farenheit and above 80 degrees F.
Most computer rooms strive to remain between 70-74 degrees F. Anything
above 74 degrees F triggers alarms. Try to keep it in the comfort zone.
3. PCs hate water. Don't put your PC anywhere near the wheel area -- or by
the kiln (heat, remember). You also don't want it near the glazing area
which probably has lovely, wet glazes or near a sink. Uhm, so where exactly
are you keeping all of your business receipts for the IRS, BTW...?
4. The number one problem folks have is power supply failures, followed by
hard drive failures. Power supply failures are often caused by "dirty"
electrical lines, that is, electrical power with a lot of spikes, surges,
drops, etc. (Anyone who's ever had to deal with Houston Lighting and Power
knows what I'm talkinga bout...) This is also bad for your other electrical
appliances like answering machines, fax machines, TVs, VCRs, electric
kilns... Inves in a good UPS (uninterruptible power supply) and budget
$200-300(US) for one that you can also use with your phone,/fax/answering
machine, etc. (also, make certain it has the capacity to filter the phone
line, especially if you're planning to use the Internet through the same
line. Phone lines can have a surge that kills your computer, too.)
Now about those hard drive failures... HEAT is the number reason for hard
drive failures. Usually from inadequate cooling fans inside the computer,
combined with work in hot and/or humid conditions. Add dust to the mix and
you've got a prescription for disaster.
My advice --
1. Don't spend too much $$$ on a desktop PC. Forget the pretty iMac and buy
a used or older something. (You can actually pain and decorate those beige
plastic cases and the instructions are on the Net.) Not too old, but for
most folks 166-233 Megahertz is plenty whether MAC or PC. Anything more is
just for fun and bragging rights. Get a good monitor, but be sure there's
plenty of airflow whereever you place it.
2. Budget for the at UPS. And don't under-power it. Get something that can
handle a good load, 450+.
3. Make or buy some dust covers and actually cover your system when not in
use. Are you like me and hate fussing with "slipcovers"? Then buy or make a
computer cabinet that let's you simply shut the doors.
4. Make sure you have a back up system (Zip drive, tape drive, whatever)
AND USE IT. Not every day, but at least every month. Much easier on the
wallet and the stress level than trying to recover data from a dead drive.
5. And finally, realize that your computer is obsolete the day it arrives.
You should plan on buying a new one every 18-24 months. Seriously. I know
you say you won't need a new one, but trust me. If you assume you'll be
buying a new one within 2 years, you won't overbuy and if you don't have to
buy a new one in 2 years, think of all the money you saved by not
overspending in the first place. Which leaves you money for...
6. a digitizing tablet. If you're an artist, get one of these. And get a
good one like a Wacom. Reduces carpal tunnel risk and becomes your favorite
drawing/input device very quickly.
Oh, and don't forget to shop for a good computer repair/upgrade shop in
your area when buying the new computer. Saves time and stress if you do
have a problem or want to get MORE POWER later.
Good-luck.
At 10:17 AM 8/11/99 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Dear Readers,
>
> I currently share a computer with others and am in the proccess of
>getting a new computer for my pottery studio. Can others offer some input
>with the rationale on this one ?
>
> Do you have computer access in your clay area?
>
> If you use a separate room how much of a factor is the 'dust' in terms
>of the longevity of computer operation?
>
> Any helps, hints; like running a humidifier to keep the dust down.
>Can the machine be covered (which may not be very practical if it is used
>heavily)?
>
> The studio seems to be the logical place for a computer since that is
>where I do the 'work' and process.
>
> Any help and ideas on this thread would be appreciated.
>
>
>
>Llewellyn Kouba
>ABBEY POTTERY
>http://www.assumptionabbey.com/Pottery.html
>
>
Tony Hansen on tue 17 aug 99
> Don't even THINK about putting a computer in the same room with clay
> processes!
> Dust will kill your "floppies". Dust will embed itself everywhere,
> eventually shorting out the circuitry. Dust and computers do not coexist
> peacefully!
I've been using PCs in a clay factory since 1978 and the Radio Shack
model I. Never had a dust related failure. I just take the machine back
to the shop once in a while and blow the dust out with a compressed
air hose. Hard drives are the most vulnerable but they are sealed units.
I've seen incredible dust buildup inside yet it seems to be OK.
--
T o n y H a n s e n thansen@digitalfire.com
Don't fight the dragon alone http://digitalfire.com
Calculation/Database Software for Ceramic Industry
--
Mike Gordon on wed 18 aug 99
HI all,
I had an old Mac in my high school room for a year, when not in use I
put a plastic bag over it. When I wanted to use it I just pushed it in
back so that the vents were clear, then let it cool in order to put it
back. Never a problem! BUT this year we are getting a new Mac and a PC.
With all this hoopla over clay dust in the room I'm going to take some
extra precautions --- don't know what yet. Will let you know what and if
I have any problems. Mike
George Koller on wed 18 aug 99
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Dear Readers,
>
> I currently share a computer with others and am in the proccess of
>getting a new computer for my pottery studio. Can others offer some input
>with the rationale on this one ?
>
> Do you have computer access in your clay area?
>
> If you use a separate room how much of a factor is the 'dust' in terms
>of the longevity of computer operation?
>
> Any helps, hints; like running a humidifier to keep the dust down.
>Can the machine be covered (which may not be very practical if it is used
>heavily)?
>
> The studio seems to be the logical place for a computer since that is
>where I do the 'work' and process.
>
> Any help and ideas on this thread would be appreciated.
>
>
>
>Llewellyn Kouba
>ABBEY POTTERY
I FOUND IT! I FOUND IT!
This company makes dust free computer enclosures that sound like what you could
use. I looked them up on the web. I don't have one, nor have I have seen it
but they seem to build a nice unit and the prices are better than I thought
they would be - less than $260 for the desktop enclosure. Seems like a
reasonable price given what a couple of service call might cost over the years.
Their name and numbers follow, I have no assocation with them:
Evirosafe Technologies
Jacksonville, Fl 32246
800-719-9499
www.dustshield.com
Hope this helps somebody, Anybody let us know what you think if you buy one.
George Koller
Sturgeon Bay, WI - Door County
(Visit our county at TheClearing.org to see where mel may give a workshop next
fall.)
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