Customizing the computer room? Mine will rock!

[redrumloa]

I am working on a new project which has top priority until completed. As it is coming in shape, I figured why the heck not post a topic? The house I recently bought has an unfinished 12x12 workshop. I am in the process of finishing it out.

So far the workshop has:
* Multiple conduit between house and workshop
* Ample electric
* DirecTv satellite
* New A/C
* Insulation

Still to do:
* multiple electrical outlets
* Pull cat 6
* multiple electrical box/ receptacles  
* multiple network box receptacles  
* Hang and finish drywall
* tile floor
* drop ceiling
* two 2x4 drop-in light fixtures

This will be my computer room when completed. I will have a minimum of two 8bit Commodores, one Amiga, two CP/M boxes and a PC hooked up. I will also have a test bench, for all the friends and family who want me to make repairs. I will probably also have a project bench. Of course, fridge and nuker and whatever else I think of :lol:

Can you beat that? :-D

 

[redrumloa]

weirdami wrote:
Need a conduit of cool from the main house central air conditioning so in case that mini air conditioner dies or maybe better so it won't be super noisy in there. You're going to need one wall blank for the giant projection screen and a big couch in the middle with cup holders.

 :lol:

Actually the A/C is brand new, but if it dies I can repair it myself. On top of that, I own a spot cooler for such emergencies. This wall-shaker is fairly quiet. For a TV I am going very basic for now. The previous owner left a TV in the workshop, which I will use for now.



BTW that electrical mess in the picture is not mine, that is previous owner's idea. I am rewiring the whole workshop myself.. PROPERLY..

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koaftder wrote:
This is a great idea. When you're done you'll have a nice place to chill out and relax, irritation free.

Yup, that is the idea :-D

I'm guessing you found work?

Yes sir! I got a good new job and started with no lapse of employment. I was really nervous there for a while, but things have worked out :-)

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uncharted wrote:
Hey Red,

Sounds good but can you compete with Blakespot's computing den?

http://www.bytecellar.com/qtvr.html

I don't know, that looks pretty sweet! We'll have to see when I am "done" :lol:

[redrumloa]

What the heck, an update...

http://www.redsretro.com/workshop/

The bench (only partially shown) is getting stained this weekend. Yaaa! As the other picture shows, space is a little limited :-/ How about that snazzy retro tv?!??

I'll pimp it out more over time ;-)

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NICE!

Lucky you, I live in a one bedroom apartment. I have a lot of gear. Computers all over the living room. My girlfriend hates it, but this is all we can afford right now. Times aren't so good right now. I've gone back to college to get a degree, this limits my employment opportunities for the short term. If you can call a few years short term.

Hang in there dude, it will get better. From your post it is clear you are on the right path to better yourself. Tough it out and get your degree, it will likely help open doors. There is no shame in living in modestly while working and going to school.

Very few people are lucky enough to be born with a silver spoon in their mouth, and they might not even be lucky. Lord knows I was not one of them, we struggled terribly for more than a decade raising a family living well below the poverty line. I worked ~80 hour weeks for 6+ years. We really didn't start making progess until ~2003 and somewhat getting ahead until ~2005. I know poor very well and I know how easy it is to become poor. We are not wealthy today, more like lower-mid middle class. That said I appreciate everything I have and worked so hard for. I remember in the mid-late 90's getting internet access and being amazed at what was available for the Commodore 8bit and Amiga. I wanted everything so badly, but could afford nada. I would post like a super fanboy, but would be teased because I didn't even own hardly any hardware except the cheap clone I cobbled together for net access. Been there, done that, probably explains my obsession with projects like the 128T.

Keep your chin up, if you ever feel down PM or email me and I wil tell you some stories of what we went through... I know what you are going through very well.

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Oh, I forgot to mention... the main desk in my computer room, a huge office desk - was made by Commodore! Do I get points for that?

It was a weird coincidence. The desk was left by the previous owners of my house because it was too big to move. I only found out it was a Commodore after I set up my computer room and put a bunch of Amigas on it. (inside the top drawer, it has the Commodore logo and "Made in Canada")

Nerd!!!

JK! That's pretty cool actually. Do you still have that desk?

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The desk is stained and sealed! Now I have to wait 72+ hours for this "fast dry" sealer to dry :-/

http://www.redsretro.com/workshop/shop3.JPG

That desk is almost 12 feet long, can't get the whole thing in a good picture. if I get a chance in the next day or so I will update with some more pics of everything else that has been done. This has been a HUGE project, as you could imagine.

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Hey Jim,

I find myself really envious of the computer room you're building.  I'm still using the 9' x 10' third bedroom myself, having not even decided on moving into the larger guest bedroom.

As you can quite imagine, my outside garage is still covered to a depth of about 4 feet with the ex-wife's crap, with me still too emotionally involved to go out there and do the right thing (chuck it all).   I guess I'll have to hire you and Angel to come up here one long weekend and help me get over being stuck then insulate / board it all up for an office..

I did however -- for the record -- hollow out an 8' x 12' space for the bike, which is all I really need right now.

Wayne

In your place I'd think the 2nd bedroom would be a better starting point than the garage, would take much less work. The garage would work, but adding A/C and the bump in electrical usage would be significant.

As for taking a trip up there, it'd be nice for a social visit and to get away for a while. I probably won't be able to make a trip for a while though :-/

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Nice work Red, it's always interesting to see someone else's computer[room] setup.

Maybe others can also upload their pics to their album to be able to link to them in their new blog.

It would make interesting reading.

Then we can maybe vote on the best setup in another thread or poll. What dya think?

I haven't finished my garage conversion and forgot to take before and during pics but I will try to upload some when it is finished. I know Mine Will Rock.

Who said comparing willy sizes was old fashioned? :lol:

It's nice to be able to get to a point to be able to build out a custom computer room and/or man cave. My bragging was in jest, but a bit of light hearted boasting among friends could give ideas or motivation to improve the space. I'd like to see pics if you take them.

[redrumloa]

Cool project. Looking forward to the updates.

Hey, you could blog it!

Thanks!
That's a thought, I may do that. When I originally started this thread was before the new goodies. Maybe I'll move it there.

[redrumloa]

Taking advantage of the gallery, here is the right side of the desk.

http://www.amiga.org/gallery/index.php?n=3015