Cable Management De-cluttered: Home made cable organizer.

One of the most annoying things in this modern age is cable clutter. It seems one can only manage cable clutter but one can never get rid of it. It is always there.


One gadget that caught my eye is Cable Safe - The Complete Cable Manager. One way to set it up is to clamp the device to your table. I was really tempted to purchase this but upon further investigation, I found out that the space beneath my desk is not enough for this device.

But this got me thinking....what if I made my own Cable Management system.....hmmm......



This is how my floor looks like behind my PC. Its a no-man's land. My objective is tp raise the multi-socket plug off the floor.














A close up view of no-man's land.





















This is the view from underneath my table. I have tried to do some kind of cable management before by using the 3M Command Cord Bundlers.

Another view underneath the desk.

I have a general idea of how I want to approach this. This was the stuff that I bought. I did not use all of it though.

So lets start. First the 3M Towel Rack





























 I wanted to stick the towel hanger underneath my table. But this did not last long. As per the instructions, it is meant for wall or vertical surface. An upside down surface was too much for it and eventually, it fell to the floor.


















So I had to replace the Command Strips with new ones and stick it against the vertical side of the table. This is how it looks after I placed it against the vertical side of the table. I also added one more 3M Command Cord Bundlers at the end.



















The 3M Command Cord Bundlers is used to hang one of my multi-socket adapter. I used several cable tie to create loops to hang it with the 3M Cord Hook






























Next, I prepared another multi-socket adapter with cable ties. This is a 6 socket adapter.














Close up.















With the towel rack ready, I used small S-hooks to hang the socket to it.The towel rack also allows me to hang other cables via velcro or S-hooks.




















This is how it looks like.  The other socket adapter is next to it.














Ok, now both socket adapters are up. 3M Command devices are holding strong. Next is cable management. I stick 2  x 3M Command Large Wire Hook at the side of the table. See below.

This was not a good idea. The thickness of the cables made it unsuitable. I intend to leave it for the moment and eventually change to a Cord Bundler.

I realised that if possible, I prefer using velcro than cable tie. It is much easier to remove. Making changes is much easier if velcro is used instead. This is how it looks like after spending 6 hours underneath a cramp table.





















At first glance, it may look like a mess but in reality, it is much better than what I used to have. It is much better organised now. And the most importantly, the multi-socket is off the floor.

So from this.....                                                                                          ....to this?

Another view of the end product. You can see the plug hanging from behind the table partition where the multi socket adapter are located.















I think more can be done to make it neater. I have a few more ideas for that. I will update with the development. But for the moment, I am happy with the result.

Alcatraz, San Francisco, 2007 Part 2

On Part 1 of my Alcatraz trip blog, which you can read it here, we just landed on the island. And we are making our way to the prison block. This staircase and entrance leads to the Prisoner Processing area.

This is where newly arrived prisoners are stripped, bathed and issued prison uniforms.

This is the bathing area, in front of the uniform dispensing area. New arrivals are stripped, searched and bathed in front of prison guards. This is the only communal bathe area. The one that was featured in the movie 'The Rock' does not exist.

After the shower and issued uniform, the prisoners are escorted to the general population. I lifted this image of the layout of the 3 prison blocks in Alcatraz. The hallway between each blocks are named after famous streets.
 

In this picture, you see the handicapped person operating the clutch- levers that operate the prison doors.















This is the between Block A and Block B, Michigan Avenue.















The condition inside the cell. Take note of the toilet as there are different toilets in different blocks.















The view from one of the exits. Contrast the dark nature of the prison with the outside light. Take note of the water tower.














Each cell contained a sleeping bed, a sink, a toilet and a fold-able table and seat for writing. Two shelves are personal items are on the back wall..














New prisoners are issued the manual on the do's and don'ts in Alcatraz.

Another version of the cell. This is on D Block where the most difficult prisoners are held.The toilet is different and there is no writing desk. The prisoners held in this block could see the colors of the sunset stream in through the windows facing their cells and those on the top two tiers could even see San Francisco across the Bay. They'd see the city lights at night and could hear the sounds of music and voices on passing boats and ships. One might think the prisoners would have welcomed the reminders of freedom D block offered but in actuality the 'Sunset Strip' was considered a form of torture to see what they couldn't have. Prisoners here are allowed out one hour each week in the recreation yard and twice a week for quick showers.

Another view of the prison block. I was not aware at the time of this photo but Al Capone's cell is on the 2nd floor, 4th from the last. Used to be cell 181 but was repainted to cell 206. This was said to be the best area for prisoners as they get the afternoon sun and a regular breeze. Al has a view as well from his cell.

Next to the water tower is the Recreation Yard. (rawpixels.ca). This is also the scene where Ed Harris meets Sean Connery in the movie 'The Rock'.









Another view of the location.














This is the entrance to the Recreation yard.  As you enter here, there is a nice view of the San Francisco Bay area. This is the only location high enough for the prisoners to view it.














As you make your way down, the view is blocked by the high concrete wall. There used to be a baseball field at the end of the yard. (travelblog.org/Photos/2894395)














Another view of the yard, from the other corner. From here you can see the water tank. (rawpixels.ca/tag/decay)

The scene at night.(sanneart.com/2011/alcatraz-at-night)













This is the prison guard rest area, in the Administration Block.



From outside the Administration Block, is the lighthouse. I like the architecture of this structure.

The corner stone of the prison block, inscribed as 1909. The year that it was built.














The view from the Admin Building.

The main entry to the Admin Building office. The words 'Freedom' is vandalised on the state seal. This was done by the Native Americans when they seized Alcatraz and staged a sit-in.














Going back to the Prison Block, this is one of the exhibition that showed the Escape from Alcatraz. The dummy head that was used to fool the guards. You can see the hole in the wall which was dugged through.















Another view.














Next is the hospital

 

This is the room that was used in the movie 'The Rock' where Ed Harris and his Marines set up their command center. According to the guide, the ceiling has fake blood used from the movie.

The barracks, where the families of the prison guards used to stay.

As we board the boat and moved away from the island.

On our way to Pier 33. You can see the short buildings below are part of Pier 33.

As we docked into Pier 33, that ends my trip to Alcatraz.















It was truly a wonderful trip to a historical island. I definitely recommend a visit.

If you miss Part 1 of my Alcatraz trip, you can read here.