{{{2016}}}
In this space, there was going to be a snarky essay to introduce a required - but soggy - topic: computer safety in the era of 2013. But I lost that introduction. And that is for the good. How did it happen? Ask me tomorrow. I'm still figuring it out.
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{{{2013}}}
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SeniorLinux .002

Before getting to tonight's topic: "Computer safety for seniors (and others)" a couple of thoughts.

First, thanks to everybody that participated in Sunday's Senior Linux v .001 diary. I'm very impressed by the quality and thoughtfulness of your comments.

Next, it has been said that a project needs a specific goal. How about the goal of handing out a copy of Senior Linux (whatever it turns out to be) to each netroots nation 2014 attendee that wants a copy? Does that sound realistic? Guess what default color scheme I'm voting for.

As for joining the group "Senior Linux" your patience is appreciated. Please do apply. You'll be on the list. Turns out that it's easier to start a group than it is to administer one. I think sharing my end (only) of the process will reveal some interface issues that I hope will inform Senior Linux as it develops.

But that particular discussion will be a better fit for the next diary or the one after that. For now, please perambulate beneath the orange antimacassar for some thoughts on thermal and electrical computer safety. As your reward for reading the whole thing, near the bottom you'll find the reason why this diary is being posted so soon after the previous one. And there's a sort of road-map for the near future as well.

Senior Linux v .002

Computer safety for seniors (and others)--two kinds of notes:

I've only had one computer that exploded on me (there was a spate of motherboard manufacturers that used counterfeit capacitors -- it was one of those caps that exploded -- and none of the pieces actually hit me -- there was just a loud bang -- after which the motherboard never worked again). Linux was not involved.

Still, there are some hardware risks to be aware of. The bad caps are hopefully a thing of the past; though one should never be surprised at what some companies will do to save a penny or two per unit. The rule of thumb I used to use: if a piece of hardware is going to fail prematurely, it will be within the first 30 days. Now that manufacturing is globalized, maybe that's changed. For defending yourself from greedy manufacturers, a decent standard warranty may help. (I've never had good luck with extended warranty plans, but, as they say in the car ads, your mileage may vary.)

There are, though, two universal enemies of modern electronics: heat and static electricity.

Heat is relative of course. If the design of the product depends on a fan, or several fans, then keeping that fan from stopping is pretty important--as in fry-your-computer-PDQ important. If your computer seems quieter than usual or suddenly seems to attract the cat, it could be your good luck or the inscrutable ways of cats. But it may be a stopped fan (more on that later).

More commonly though, the world of wonder that is inside your computer's case may be undergoing its own version of global warming. Dust and animal hair find the inside of a computer to be very attractive. Especially the edges of fan blades.

Do Not Use a Household or Shop Vacuum Cleaner Inside Your Computer.

Just don't. (More on that later, too.)

Sometimes, if the blade edges have a lot of build-up, you will hear it. So if you suspect something is wrong, you may be tempted to open the computer case. If you are comfortable doing this, fine. If not, ask around the neighborhood for recommendations for a local, independently owned, computer shop, or computer repair shop. Or a regional, small, chain of computer shops. I'd be hesitant, though, to trust my computer to the tender mercies of a place that reports to a corporate headquarters or that's listed on NASDAQ or the New York stock exchange. (And yes, YMMV--Your Mileage May Vary--and more on that later also.)

If you do decide to open your computer's case yourself, don't open up any smaller cases inside--Unless You Really Know What You're Doing - Really Know. The largest case within the outer case is usually the power supply. And that can carry nasty--perhaps even lethal--voltage and current. If you don't know a lot about such things as why you should keep one hand behind your back when diddling with a power supply, discharging large caps, and the like, then just don't diddle with it. Opening drive cases may not carry as much personal risk as opening a power supply entails, but the end result is very possibly (very likely) a destroyed drive. Not to mention voiding the warranty. The good news is that these internal cases are there for a reason. It makes the encased device moveable.

Back to the fans.

If you notice dust buildup on the edges of the blades, and you aren't allowed to use a vacuum cleaner (and we do mean that) what to do? Blowing the dust out with a can of compressed air is often recommended. You can usually buy it at that national chain of phone and gadget stores that used to sell lots of electronics parts. But beware of any 'bonus' ingredients such as lubricants. And that shop-type air compressor at your friendly local garage will sometimes dispense moisture or worse along with the air. So I use Q-Tips to wipe the edges. I don't try to save money by re-using them either. That's just me, though. I don't say you should try cleaning fan blade edges with Q-Tips. But if you do try it, look at the the finned heat sinks, and if there's dust build-up, get rid of that dust too.

And then, after powering on and looking to make sure the fan is turning to your satisfaction, power off and close the case. The first of two reasons is that the case is part of the airflow design. Your computer may not run cooler with an open case. In fact, with many designs an open case computer may run significantly hotter. And open case is not just the top cover. Those little filler strips that you have to take out in order to put a new card in serve several purposes. And airflow is one of those purposes. Empty drive bays that come with filler panels should have them there as well.

The reason I'm couching my language here with so many qualifiers and caveats has a lot to do with the second reason for keeping your computer case closed: it's to keep out the cat. More broadly it's to protect against sources of static electricity: the other universal enemy of electronics. (I suppose I should mention water and other liquids too, but this is dailykos and people here are expected to have some degree of sense. So, for any lurkers from certain other sites:

Electricity and water don't mix. Capisce?)

Static electricity is probably worth covering in another diary, or perhaps one of you may want to address it in the comments. So I'll leave the topic by saying: carpet bad; grounding strap good. To oversimplify, if you gotta work on your computer and you're standing on carpeting, and you don't feel comfortable wearing a conductive strap around your wrist that's then attached to a good ground, here's a Do and two Don'ts before touching anything inside your computer.

Do touch a safe ground, such as a cold water pipe, or - in some places - the unpainted screw that's holding the plate to the power outlet.
Don't shuffle your feet on the rug. And
Don't Pet the Kitty!

Back to cooling for a moment. There is a lot of information on the internet about cooling your computer. And most of it comes from gamers. Be aware that gamers have their own goals. Overclocking for one. Super-fast display refresh rates for another. Unless you know that you need one or both, think of hardware advice from gamers the same way you'd think of tire recommendations from a Le Mans driver, interesting, often very informed and ultimately not very applicable to your situation.

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Discussion and debate is welcome below. I make no claims as to the total accuracy of this, or any other, diary. I am not a licensed electrician nor a licensed electrical engineer. The only license I have at present is for driving, and I make no claims about that.

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Senior Linux v.003 will start to cover computer safety of the non-physical kind: virtual safety and online safety. Pretty much all the v.00# diaries will be covering stuff you may already know. So if you're an expert, you may not learn much if anything, but you may help Senior Linux to avoid propagating errors, or to help correct them before they spread.