- Garbage bag ties -- Matt P. likes 'em, and I don't disagree that
they'll work fine. Personally I wanted something that would be
integrated with the baseboard, but you sure can't beat the price:
free.
- Velcro straps -- Roger V. suggests you pick up some half-inch
wide colored velcro straps available in varying lengths, 6 or so
to a pack, try looking in WalMart or Home Depot. I understand that
some models have screw loops on one end. John D. provided some
additional specs, "My solution was to order several six foot rolls
of 3/4"-wide double-sided velcro (hooks on one side, fleece on the
other), which I spotted in a Campmor catalog (!) at $2.99 each.
Campmor calls it "velcro one wrap" and assigns it catalog number
21857. Cut into 4" lengths, each roll yields 18 cable ties at
about 17 cents each. They come apart easily on demand, but
otherwise not at all."
http://www.campmor.com - PVC pipe insulation -- Joe C. (aka Dr. Midi) had a cool solution
that I'll quote verbatim, "As an owner of a small recording
studio, you can't begin to imagine how many cables I have to deal
with. I have spent over $800 in cables alone, and that doesn't
include the ones I had to make! Not only must I have them
organized and easily accessible, but I must guard against noise.
The way I do it, is go to the hardware store and buy lengths of
PVC pipe insulation. This is foam rubber tubing with a slot along
the length and sticky stuff to keep it together. I categorize and
separate the groups of cables, cut the length of insulation I need
and stuff them in there neatly. I can label the tubes with colored
tape so I know which cables are in there. This helps with any
unwanted noise as well as keeps things organized, accessible and
protected. Not bad in the price department, and looks kinda cool."
And be sure to check out Dr. Midi's Web site:
http://easyst.com/drmidi/ - Tag both ends and use double link cable ties -- Harold wrote in,
"I tag both ends and buy double link cable ties. These ties allow
for two or more separate groups of cables to be run together so
you can access your proper group (power, data, and controls) with
minimal fuss, especially concerning additions. Double tagging
allows you to make a flexible, accessible, and neat array of the
myriad of connections that are always the same. Plus you can
unplug and carry it to a whole new location. Instead of multiple
peering trips over the new desk, you just plug in."
- Run everything through data switches -- Keith B. is really
organized. "I run everything into data switches, one for each
interface (Parallel Port, USB, SCSI). Trying a new device is easy.
I just connect it to an open port on the data switch. I even
supplied an extra bundle for a guest computer to share mouse,
keyboard, monitor, printer, audio, power, and phone cables. I am
always looking at an accessory computer from friends or something
that passes my way."
- Flexible corrugated tubing -- Brian B. has this tubing tip,
"Another way to really organize your cables is to use a flexible,
corrugated tubing such as one inch or less sump pump hose or
speaker wire tubing. The real good stuff to use is the tubing they
run car speaker wire through, but for us on a beer budget the sump
pump hose works just as well. Measure the length of tubing you
need, make a cut from end to end, and then start pressing the
wires through the cut. This eliminates ties and makes your
organize job look hi tech. The Gateway Country store here where I
live employs this technique in their store. It works and looks
great!"
- Twisted-pair network cable warning -- Charles S. reminded me of a special case for folks on a network using twisted-pair cabling (this caveat doesn't apply to coax cable). You don't want to tie the twisted-pair (telephone-style) network cable next to the video or power cables; if you do you'll lose your network connection.
Thanks to your fellow TNPC subscribers, now you've got a real buffet of cable organizational schemas for you to choose from. Enjoy.
