Pet Peeve

I have an almost pathological need to listen to music to focus myself on many types of work, or pseudo-work like writing posts.

With this computer, the socket for speaker out seems hypersensitive and doesn’t always play well with the plug on any given set of speakers or headphones.  It’s no fun when it decides to be mono and utterly destroys the sound.  I do seem to have better luck with headphones, and there just isn’t room for speakers currently.  That needs to change.  Up where speakers might otherwise go, we have stuff stacked out of reach of the kids.  And by the kids I mean Valerie the vertically fearless.  I was thinking of taking a picture of my “pocket stuff” basket to show the context.  Deb cleverly got me a rectangular basket where I can toss my keys, change, cards, pens, and other pocket contents to contain and, in the case of receipts, collect it.  As I sit here, the bottom of that basket is poking over the edge, about four feel above my head, several inches from the ceiling and perhaps a foot away from the ceiling light fixture.  It’s a pain in the ass having to take the whole thing down, grab or return stuff, then put the whole thing back.  But that’s mainly a matter of reorganizing and creating it a less bad spot.  But I digress, and need to return to the web site writing, which at the moment is resulting in content that could also be used on a traditional resume if it came to it.

Currently I have an inexpensive Koss headset of the funky new variety that loops around the back of your head.  At least, it’s inexpensive if you don’t have to replace it when your kids dismantle it, because they’re helpful that way.  It’s great, and much better than the ear buds I was using, to the endless fascination of the aforementioned kids.  Barring a little trouble I had recently with it going mono like the speakers, which in this case relates to the about to be revealed peeve, I’m pleased.

But can’t anyone make cords of adequate length!?

The front of the computer is inches from my left hand.  If the space between computer and desk upright were wide enough, I could easily reach to the back of the computer and touch where the headset plugs in.

The cord is so short - and it’s not an exception - I can’t back my face more than maybe 18 inches away from the monitor.  If you draw a line from my nose to the monitor, it’s about 1/3 in from the left; not enough give for me to center myself.  The cord isn’t taut unless I move back or over an inch or two, but it’s suspended in the air, several inches over the 2, W, S, X and spacebar keys.  Usually I can ignore it, but sometimes it’s a distraction, or at least an annoying reminder of the failings of the headset.

The manufacturers must be thinking that everyone is using their headsets with portable devices, or with computers with front audio ports.  Or speakers with a headset port closer than the back of your computer.  All sets of speakers should have a headset port, but that doesn’t excuse the pathetically short cables.

Heck, short cables on anything are evil.  I got some keyboards once that didn’t have cords long enough to use for the former big client.  Yet the same brand in a different color were fine.  I’ve always had trouble with speaker cable lengths.  Most people put their computer under their desk.  Instead of being able to put the speakers on the desk, along with monitor, mouse and keyboard, I almost always had to leave the speakers on top of the computer, under the desk.  Where they promptly wound up on the floor.

If I remembered, I’d have looked for and ordered an extension cable.  Oh well.  I expect this machine might not remain the one that plays my music, so things will change anyhow.  That and I am likely to go back to speakers, for a couple reasons.  One is I’ll have to worry about answering the phone.  I figure I can mute the sound, but answering calls should be easier without having to whip off a headset.  Another is I’ve officially started closing the door during enough of the day to be able to get work done.  You know, as I am doing right now.  Speakers in a closed room won’t conflict with TV or music in the rest of house.

Short cables must go!

1. The new good cases have front panel audio jacks. Mine has them on the top front of the case along with 2 usb jacks that are great for uploading from the camera or thumb drive.
   I got an Antec 900. should be the last case I buy for a long while and so far well worth the money. Easy to work on and dispite all the fans its super quiet.

   Posted by Wayne  on  07/16  at  03:24 PM  from  Ohio
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