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slohrer
New Pal
Canada
12 Posts |
 Posted - 10/21/2003 : 10:23:28 AM
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DH is a computer tech, and he had the most interesting dialogue with some secretaries. Every fall, there was a rash of computers locking up. After some brainstorming they came up with this theory: The static electricity that sweaters make causes computer problems, and is especially bad when there's a polyester bra involved. It's a good idea to ground yourself once in a while by touching the filing cabinet or another large metal object. Also, a plastic mat under the chair is good for moving the chair, and bad for static.
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BLN3320
Permanent Resident
USA
3808 Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2003 : 10:36:57 AM
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Hi, Slohrer: Thank you for the information. Makes sense. Take care. Beverley
Bev |
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thevalkyry
Sustaining Member
USA
736 Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2003 : 11:14:08 AM
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what a wild theory - yet it makes a certain amount of sense :)
Food, Gas, Rent.. and Yarn |
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loulouknits
Chatty Knitter
USA
123 Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2003 : 11:31:04 AM
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I don't mean to pry, but what do you think about your hubby talking bras with those secretaries?  Just Kidding...
This is wild. Before you know it management will be restricting the wearing of wool and polyester around computers.
IN STITCHES
LouLouKnits
http://www.friend.ly.net/~acm/page2.html |
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myshelle10
Permanent Resident
USA
2749 Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2003 : 12:11:35 PM
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I know it makes sense...
but in my imagination I tried to see a staff meeting-- everyone around a conference table-- discussing the fiber content of his or her undergarments...
Gotta be careful about laughing out loud at work! LOL :)
myshelle
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lemons
Permanent Resident
1692 Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2003 : 12:38:52 PM
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Thanks for bringing this up. Our computer is in a cold room with a wool carpet, and my winter sweats and/or longies (as in -johns) have a polyester component. I finally learned to put my hand on the (cold) radiator first and then reach out for my first touch on the CPU/keyboard/screen. Otherwise, it'd spark out.
lemons of missouri
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SerMom
Permanent Resident
Canada
6412 Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2003 : 4:47:07 PM
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Static electricity is bad for computers (and any other electronic media such as tapes, diskettes, etc), as are power surges and magnets. We've become complacent because computers have become so everyday.
My sister lost her very first home computer (and Apple IIe) when somebody touched the user, giving him a shock. Plooooeeee. Gone.
They're a little more robust now, but you still need to be careful.
The solution, of course, is to stop wearing bras. Isn't that obvious??
Barbara
"I know we've got one SOMEWHERE" |
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Heather
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
456 Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2003 : 5:06:36 PM
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I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!
--Heather
We are shaped and fashioned by what we love. --Goethe |
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CatherineM
Permanent Resident
USA
3363 Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2003 : 5:18:25 PM
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This used to be a problem with pantyhose. I hadn't thought of this in years, but my husband used to run into this occasionally with phantom computer problems - if the user's thighs rub together in pantyhose and then she touches the keyboard, it could create a weird static charge. I haven't thought of that one in 15 years! Computers aren't as dainty as they were "back in the day" but I guess it can still happen.
On a similar note, my daughter still cannot wear a watch because she stops them - something in her body actually makes them quit working. We tried many types of watches over the years, finally gave up. Her cellphone doesn't seem to be affected by the problem. But she definitely carried a high static charge, even as a skinny child in cotton clothing - her father used to make her take off her socks and make sure her little feet could touch the floor when she used the computer as a child, because she could shut down our old 386 just by using it if she wasn't grounded. (She could also hear the faint change in the sound of a hard drive that signaled an impending head crash and warn her daddy before it happened. She was a spooky little kid.) Thanks for bringing back a wacky family memory!
Catherine
http://www.yorkiedog.blogspot.com |
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schoolmama
Permanent Resident
USA
2309 Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2003 : 6:33:10 PM
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LOL, I will mention this to my dh, who comes across some wacky computer problems at work. My ds, who also works with computers used to have this plastic mat that was wired to the ground in an outlet, and you had to touch the mat before touching the computer. Not sure if it really worked, but we still have a couple of them out in the shed.... Barb
"OF ALL THE THINGS I HAVE LOST, I MISS MY MIND THE MOST!" |
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SerMom
Permanent Resident
Canada
6412 Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2003 : 7:36:41 PM
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quote:
(She could also hear the faint change in the sound of a hard drive that signaled an impending head crash and warn her daddy before it happened. She was a spooky little kid.) Thanks for bringing back a wacky family memory!
Catherine
http://www.yorkiedog.blogspot.com
Now that sounds like a useful skill!!
quote:
My ds, who also works with computers used to have this plastic mat that was wired to the ground in an outlet, and you had to touch the mat before touching the computer. Not sure if it really worked, but we still have a couple of them out in the shed.
They're called anti-static mats (I used to sell office furniture), and as far as I know, they did work. You could also get a much smaller thing to go on your desk.
Barbara
"I know we've got one SOMEWHERE" |
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schoolmama
Permanent Resident
USA
2309 Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2003 : 9:29:25 PM
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The ones we have do go on a desk- They are bigger than the space that a monitor takes up. Barb
"OF ALL THE THINGS I HAVE LOST, I MISS MY MIND THE MOST!" |
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