"Computer Desk", Parts 1 & 2. What a horrid thing!
DJM occasionally does pieces that aren't to my taste, but this isn't a
matter of taste. Even my wife (who appreciates wood, but doesn't know
much about it) took one glance and wanted to know why he was going to
all that work to make something that looks like a $49 desk from Wal
Mart.
It's not even functional, with that teensy keyboard drawer, and that
silly-looking monitor riser (which is way too high).
All in all, it's a waste of some beautiful claro walnut veneer. I guess
I've just come to expect more from DJM in the way of design.
Kevin
I agree that that computer desk was not his best work. Maybe it would
look different in person. Some of the closeup shots did look a lot
better than the shots showing the wood figure from about 9 or 10 ft
away. Generally, David's work and teaching is the best I have seen
from anyone on a television show. I always learn something from his
show. If Norm is college freshman and sophomore work, David is
definitely graduate school level work.
I agree. I was also amused by the full size mdf mock-up. If I were to
make something like that, my wife would ask to put the mdf desk in the
kids room or something. I think this episode suffers from the same
problem that norm's computer desk had. Neither of them probably know
anything about computers. As a progammer, I have a lot of strong
opinions about comptuer furniture. Most of it sucks. If I were to
make my own office/computer desk, and money were no object, I'm sure it
would involve a reclining chair with integrated platforms for mice and
keboards (note plural) with multiple huge lcd displays or projectors.
My ultimate computer desk is more like a room containing those
dentist's chairs from the matrix than a piece of furniture.
I also have a design floating around in my head for a large circular
desk, maybe 12' in diameter with several platforms and a place to enter
the circle. Sort of a large letter C. Complete with curtains around
the outside of the circle and large casters so I can wheel it to
anywhere I want. It would be cool in a loft type house with one large
open space.
brian
In article <[email protected]>, Patrick Conroy
<[email protected]> wrote:
> Kevin Craig <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:1118166127.1d2d55fc98df756279352dff5b96077a@teranews:
>
> >
> >
> > "Computer Desk", Parts 1 & 2. What a horrid thing!
> >
>
> And right after the Egyptian Inspired Chest which I thought was quite
> inspiring.
Absolutely! And the Egyptian chest isn't something I'd chose to have in
my home (different tastes), but it was a gorgeous piece, with excellent
proportions.
I agree that neither DJM nor Nahm probably spend much time at a
computer desk, thus the Big Box Store look-alike desks.
Speaking of Big Box, it's heartening that the first computer desk I've
ever seen that combines true function with the look of nice furniture
is currently on display at my local Sam's Club. It's Arts & Crafts
style, but has a *wiiiiiide* keyboard drawer, vertical CPU storage, and
file/storage drawers.
Unlike most computer desks, it allows the keyboard to be functionally
centered, rather than actually centered. By that, I mean you can have
the "G" and "H" centered in front of the monitor, and still have the
18" or so to the right needed to accomodate the keypad and mouse.
Lefties have plenty of room to center the keyboard and have room to the
left for a mouse.
Here's the URL:
http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_shopping.jsp?coe=0&oidPath=0%3a-23541
%3a-42533%3a-43441%3a922023&mt=a&n=0&BV_SessionID=_SC_1964476516.1118373
091_CS_&BV_EngineID=ccdfaddekjdfffjcfkfcfkjdgoodfkf.0
Or, http://tinyurl.com/djhh2
I'd prefer it without the hutch (it looks like it might limit monitor
placement). The local display doesn't have the hutch, but it's
included.
Kevin
Kevin Craig wrote:
> "Computer Desk", Parts 1 & 2. What a horrid thing!
>
> DJM occasionally does pieces that aren't to my taste, but this isn't a
> matter of taste. Even my wife (who appreciates wood, but doesn't know
> much about it) took one glance and wanted to know why he was going to
> all that work to make something that looks like a $49 desk from Wal
> Mart.
>
> It's not even functional, with that teensy keyboard drawer, and that
> silly-looking monitor riser (which is way too high).
>
> All in all, it's a waste of some beautiful claro walnut veneer. I guess
> I've just come to expect more from DJM in the way of design.
>
> Kevin
Kevin, then again, David might be a computer novice who has only seen
"computer desks" at specialty stores and "Wal-Mart." That would account
for the good woodwork and lousy functionality.
Deb
On Tue, 07 Jun 2005 12:31:16 -0700, charlie b <[email protected]>
wrote:
> Well if that disturbed you then avoid most of Gary
> Knocks (intentional misspelling) Bennett's stuff,
> especially his version of a walnut "desk".
I'd never heard of the guy, until a few minutes' Googling ago.
Ye gods ! What hideous nastiness he wastes good trees for.
And just what is a "keyboard drawer" for ? I've never seen anyone who
used a computer (rather than someone who went shopping for one, with a
matching desk and An Internet) who had any use for such a thing.
Kevin Craig wrote:
>
> "Computer Desk", Parts 1 & 2. What a horrid thing!
snip
> All in all, it's a waste of some beautiful claro walnut veneer. I guess
> I've just come to expect more from DJM in the way of design.
>
> Kevin
Well if that disturbed you then avoid most of Gary
Knocks (intentional misspelling) Bennett's stuff,
especially his version of a walnut "desk". Three
inch thick slabs of walnut cut up into god awful shapes
and stuck together with tusked through tenons.
THAT'S A WASTE OF NICE WOOD! At least Mr. Marks
used veneer rather than wasting a large amount
of walnut.
charlie b
Prometheus wrote:
> Hmm... I suppose being a programmer is the difference. Personally,
> I've been knocking around the idea of making a desk that looks like
> there is no computer at all by building everything into the underside
> of the top, and using a flat screen monitor that can slide down into
> the back when not in use. It would just be a whole lot more useful
> for me, and it'd look better.
You have seen the desks with a window where a desk top
blotter would go? Though I don't have a flat screen I do
have a 19" monitor below it, sitting at an angle.
At a "normal desk" you usually read with the material on
the desk top in front of you so looking down at the desk
top is familiar.
Just an idea that's a bit simpler than a pop up flat screen.
charlie b
"Prometheus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> Hmm... I suppose being a programmer is the difference. Personally,
> I've been knocking around the idea of making a desk that looks like
> there is no computer at all by building everything into the underside
> of the top, and using a flat screen monitor that can slide down into
> the back when not in use. It would just be a whole lot more useful
> for me, and it'd look better.
You might be a programmer, but you're certainly not a computer geek with
that idea. I consider myself to be one of those computer keeps I'm talking
about and I've also given a lot of consideration to building my own computer
centre. While it might be hidden from sight, it will be stored at desk
level, on wheels with *easy* access to pulling the whole works out for
modification, upgrading or trouble-shooting. It will also have easy to
access 3" abs piping for the running of network cables, video, USB or
whatever for the ongoing changes that we computer geeks thrive on when
dealing with our toys.
On Wed, 08 Jun 2005 20:23:33 GMT, Patrick Conroy
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Also -- was it just me -- or was he taking a friendly "jab" at Norm when
>remarking how he'd like to have a wide belt sander?
I liked it when he built his torsion box assembly table. A couple of
times he mentioned using the pneumatically shot brads as clamps until
the glue dried. But he wasn't taking a shot at Norm, he was taking a
shot at the guys that get worked up over that phrase.
--
LRod
Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite
Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999
http://www.woodbutcher.net
Proud participant of rec.woodworking since February, 1997
On 7 Jun 2005 21:22:17 -0700, "brianlanning" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I agree. I was also amused by the full size mdf mock-up. If I were to
>make something like that, my wife would ask to put the mdf desk in the
>kids room or something. I think this episode suffers from the same
>problem that norm's computer desk had. Neither of them probably know
>anything about computers. As a progammer, I have a lot of strong
>opinions about comptuer furniture. Most of it sucks. If I were to
>make my own office/computer desk, and money were no object, I'm sure it
>would involve a reclining chair with integrated platforms for mice and
>keboards (note plural) with multiple huge lcd displays or projectors.
>My ultimate computer desk is more like a room containing those
>dentist's chairs from the matrix than a piece of furniture.
Hmm... I suppose being a programmer is the difference. Personally,
I've been knocking around the idea of making a desk that looks like
there is no computer at all by building everything into the underside
of the top, and using a flat screen monitor that can slide down into
the back when not in use. It would just be a whole lot more useful
for me, and it'd look better.
Kevin Craig <[email protected]> wrote in
news:1118166127.1d2d55fc98df756279352dff5b96077a@teranews:
>
>
> "Computer Desk", Parts 1 & 2. What a horrid thing!
>
And right after the Egyptian Inspired Chest which I thought was quite
inspiring.
Agreed it's quite unattractive.
But I did enjoy seeing his approach to making the drawer carcase and
frames.
Also -- was it just me -- or was he taking a friendly "jab" at Norm when
remarking how he'd like to have a wide belt sander?
I had to laugh when I read this my home office consists of a Desk Book
Case Combo, on one wall, a printer stand in the corner, and two file
cabinets and a door over them on the other wall. My remodel concept
is to end up with an integrated top sweeping around the two walls.
Mike M
On 7 Jun 2005 21:25:28 -0700, "brianlanning" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>>And just what is a "keyboard drawer" for ?
>
>Keyboard trays are for people who think that the keyboard goes in the
>keyboard tray.
>
>After 20 years of using computers, I still have not found a better desk
>than two short file cabinets and a solid core door.
>
>brian
"brianlanning" <[email protected]> wrote:
> My ultimate computer desk is more like a room containing those
> dentist's chairs from the matrix than a piece of furniture.
>
See:
<http://oxygen.lcs.mit.edu/E21.html>
Friend of mine was working at MIT on the early version of this stuff in
1978-79.