More power!

When I first attached power boards to the computer desk at home, I didn't think there would be any chance that we'd use up all 10 points anytime soon. After all, it's just one computer right? How many plugs do you really need? Well this very morning I found myself round the back of the desk with an extra 6 socket plug board in my hands, looking for the best place to attach it.

WTF? How did it come to this? The sockets are currently used by:

1. Shuttle computer
2. File Server computer
3. Monitor
4. Speakers
5. External hard drive
6. Cordless mouse recharger
7. Network switch
8. Printer
9. USB 4 port mini hub
10. Water cooler

Ok, so I moved the file server out of a bedroom to down beside the desk. And yeah, I've added the external hard drive. Oh and the USB hub is an addition as well.

When I want to recharge the (cellphone|laptop|camera|other) battery, or plug in some other electrical gear temporarly, I need to use power points that are in less friendly locations; like all the way accross the room. Hint: Don't run a laptop power cable over the floor while a baby is running, well, walking at high speed, arround that room.

If I had some electrical smarts, I'd make 1 power transformer that drunk 240V 50Hz and spat out multiple cables with:

• 12V 1A
• 5V 2A , 12V 2A
• 9V 1A
• 5V 2A

Bart made something similar back in Dunedin to replace 16 transformers. Well, his spat out 16 lines with the same power on all lines but something like the above should be possible shouldn't it?

At least my new wireless keyboard don't need a charger. I wonder how long the pair of AA batteries will last.