What I do

Thought I'd share a picture of my latest 'creation' :) I'm somewhat proud of this one because of the timeframe I completed it in (3 1/4 days) and how neat/clean it looks. This is what I was doing in Grand Rapids, MI last week. The first picture is how the room looked before I started on a Tuesday morning. The second picture is what it looks like Friday morning of that same week (last week). I installed absolutely everything associated with this. The network hardware, phone system, voice mail, programmed the phone/voice mail system, placed phones, installed wire and jacks, etc, etc. The whole shootin' match. I don't usually toot my own horn, but this job even impressed ME...lol It was a LOT of work, but I enjoyed it. It's kinda like gardening...you start out with nothing and then you watch it take shape and grow into something worthwhile.

Here's the after photo...

Rear of patch panel (for computer connections). Each CAT5e computer cable must be terminated here.

Cables neatly installed in ceiling...

Somewhat closer view of the phone system...

I love how neat and tidy everything looks!

Good job! There is something very satisfying about getting a complex problem "mastered" and organized, isnt' there? (Just ask anyone who's organized a very messy closet or refrigerator: after you're done, how many times do you open the door just to look and smile at your handiwork?)

Thanks. It's taken me 11 years to get here. That's how long I've been doing this. You learn something new just about every day in this line of work. Hard to be a 'know-it-all'.

Accepting that each new day is a learning experience is what makes you successful in your work, HC. Good job!

Jon, you do neat work. Gosh, you don't WANT to see what the underside and back of my computer desk looks like, and I only have two cat5 cables and a few peripherals. Kudos to you!

Terry will you come and clean out my refrigerator? LOL
Great job. It really looks nice.

Jon, this is the organizing we did Saturday: http://gardenwife.com/mt/archives/000578.html

Boy, that's a beautiful job. congratulations.

Jon, do you have any suggestions for organizing home computer systems? We only have one phone line to deal with, but I am driven to distraction by all the computer wires. Any products stand out in particular?

How many lines are on that system? I don't know how you keep that all straight! Do you do computer network installations too?

Nice shelves :)

I don't know of anything in particular to organize something like an individual PC. Maybe jut use some velcro tie wraps?

There are 44 (CAT5e) cables installed on that rack you see. Everything is marked, otherwise you'd have to trace it out with a tracer tool. Here's what the markings look like. V is for voice (phone) and D for data (computers). I do all the hardware installation sometimes, but not a lot of administration. I dabbled in it a little awhile ago at my old job...but now I mainly just do phone work. It all sort of blends together anymore. I still do installation work on the side for extra money, but my main job now has me sitting at a desk all day...working on phone systems and so on, remotely for the most part. Phone and LAN cabling is exactly the same, for the most part. Only difference is how you terminate it (patch panel, punch-down blocks, etc). CAT5e cable is the same as phone cable, it's just better (pairs are more twisted for better speed). CAT3 phone wire has very little twist to it and it's a joy to work with compared to CAT5e cable.

This message was edited Aug 24, 2004 5:45 AM

Wow nice job.. We are in the process of doing that here at work . Or I should say the IT team is I just watch in awe. I am going to email them your picture of all the wires neatly in the ceiling as they don't quite have that down yet lol... Reminds me of working a giant jigsaw puzzle...
Sandy

Thanks :) You just have to label everything (before pulling the wires) and it'll stay straight. It takes awhile to figure out how to make that spaghetti look neat. Keeping things neat in the ceiling is the most difficult part. It's time consuming.

Jon, great job, great photos, of course I know nothing about what you do, but I can see you are very well organized. Donna

HEY .. hc ...

That thar .. is NOT 'tootin' your own horn ...
It's out right HONKIN' it !!!
.. LOL .. LOL ..

And .. you have apparently earned the right to do so!!
Looks like some mitey fine handi-work to me.
Heck .. toot and 'honk' all you want! You deserve to !!!
- mags

well, I'm inpressed! you are very neat in your work.

You would absolutely go crazy here in turkey! wish we could clone you and ship you over here.

Thanks :) Why...what's up with Turkey? (I spent a couple weeks there in 1989, by the way...while in the Army).