Date   : Fri, 19 Nov 2010 02:14:55 +0000
From   : jgh@... (J.G.Harston)
Subject: [OT] Who'da thought...

Rick Murray wrote:
> J.G.Harston wrote:
>> I had to sellotape the server plug into the wall socket at AFE and hide
>> it behind a label saying "DO NOT UNPLUG!!!" in English and Cantonese.
>
> Begs the question - why aren't these things hardwired to the wall. You
> know, like electric cookers [*] and such?

'cos it's a "portable appliance" - like a fridge, washing machine,
router, gateway, bridge, stock exchange transaction server....

It's so that it can be removed and replaced by "unskilled" persons
without it requiring a "skilled" person with tools to physically
disconnect it from the supply.

If I'd had my way, I would have ensured there was a set of socket
outlets /inside/ the cupbaord the server, bridge and router lived
in, and then locked the cupboard.

> You know, you hear about cleaners and such unplugging critical bits of
> kit.

and people "usefully" throwing the mains power switch on the way out
of the building of an evening.

>> to use the RISC high-speed duplicating printer (one of these:
>> http://www.riso.co.uk/230-fast-laser-printer-riso-product.htm )
>> as a photocopier.
> Yikes!

Yes. ?5 per duplication master, 0.12p per copy therafter.

-- 
J.G.Harston - jgh@...