# Quick Poll--What's on Your Computer Desk? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 5, 2003, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829 "2003-09-05T22:20:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![minlokwat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minlokwat/32/2844_2.png) [@minlokwat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minlokwat)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/21 "2003-09-06T00:32:57Z")
Holy frijoles. How big are these freaking desks? DVD players? KISS action figures? CHINESE MEDICINE BALLS??? I want to go on record and say I started this thread because I honestly thought my desk was amassing too much clutter. I’m glad you all can provide some matter of perspective. Truly, I am amazed. ---
**Author:** ![Magickly\_Delicious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magickly\_Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magickly_Delicious)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/22 "2003-09-06T00:34:48Z")
I have:[ul] [li]Lexmark printer[/li][li]‘Catch Your Dream Girl Scout Cookies 1997’ cup full of pens[/li][li]bag of peanut M&Ms[/li][li]two piles of important mail I’m keeping around[/li][li]_Escape From Monkey Island_ game CDs[/li][li]glass of lemonade[/li][li]two checks I need to deposit[/li][li]stereo remote control[/li][li]nail file[/li][li]Linksys cable modem[/li][li]notepads[/ul][/li] Heh, kind of an odd assortment. I’m still not moved in totally and when I don’t know where to put something, it ends up here. ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/23 "2003-09-06T00:52:09Z")
Ahhh the spider’s back again! I swear it’s the same one I saw about eight years ago in here. ---
**Author:** ![Sinshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Sinshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinshine)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/24 "2003-09-06T01:56:54Z")
To the left: ahem Brand _new_ PC tower, with _new_ external cable modem on top (nope, not overly proud of this! 😃 ) mid-range printer plastic bag for new keyboard (intended to protect it from cat hair until I can get a proper keyboard cover) wire letter/pen holder inherited from my grandmother containing my bookmark collection and no pen speakers To the right: my cat (staring right at me, like if she sits close enough I’ll stop using the 'puter). :eek: a can of Barq’s rootbeer on a wooden coaster three-hole punch stapler pen-can stack of install cd’s to put to use (or to procrastinate on) basket of ignorable mail pile of bills, notices and other actionable mail I am ignoring pile of textbooks and assignment sheets I am also ignoring, but which (like the cat) are watching me intently Directly in front: old shaky monitor with a forest of “notes to self”, “notes to study groups” and a very large “note to 'puter guru” Liberally scattered everywhere: aforementioned cat hair. ---
**Author:** ![Tanaqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Tanaqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanaqui)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/25 "2003-09-06T02:00:49Z")
Besides my monitor, CPU, and speakers? two cups cd case for the RPG Nox and manual for same CGW demo cd disc my watch the Clash’s “Combat Rock” a piece of pink paper with my class schedule scribbled on it 2 silver necklaces. I also have a desk right behind my computer desk in easy reach,which is the only reason that list isn’t much, much longer. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/26 "2003-09-06T02:18:53Z")
Well, first off, there’s lots of junk. Random bits of paper and such. But, actual computer-related stuff: **Front:** 17" Flat-panel monitor. Two sets of speakers—one for Mac, one for PC. Wireless keyboard, Extra mice, Extra micepads, Special gloves to help prevent carpal tunnel. Wacom Digital Table & wireless mouse **Right:** Apple G4 PowerMac computer. Love it. 1 GB of RAM. Some papers, CDs, parts of my Epson Scanner (negative holders, etc.) Vitamins. (Must have vitamins) On top of G4: USB Floppy Drive, USB Zip Drive, misc other weird stuff. Dust. To the far right, stacked up on top of each other: Sony Firewire CD-RW drive for G4, Fantom 80 GB Hard Drive for G4, Ethernet switcher (for G4 and PC) and Cable modem. **Left:** Container of Kraft Shredded Three Cheese Ceramic pencil holder (I made it) with pencils, pens and scissors. Espon 3200 PHOTO USB/Firewire scanner (for slides, transparencies and prints). Love that thing. “Star Wars” and “Betrayed” (Deborah Winger/Tom Berenger movie) DVDs Some CDs relating to a class I am currently enrolled i. Prints on the wall of my Yosemite photos, printed on my ink jet printer. **Underneath:** Purple PC. Custom built PC, bought this year. I had it put in a purple case, hence the title “Purple PC.” Very nice. 1 GB of RAM. KVM switch. (This allows me to share the monitor, Wacom tablet, printer and keyboard between Mac and PC. Love this thing.) 40 GB external Firewire HDD for PC. Everywhere: Lots of paper towels and a few gum wrappers. ---
**Author:** ![green\_bladder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@green\_bladder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_bladder)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/27 "2003-09-06T03:24:23Z")
[ul] **TOP** [li]Canon BJC-255SP Printer[/li][li]A small paper calendar[/li][li]A notepad[/li][li]A mug (with a picture of me when I was 8) holding a bunch of pens, pencils and a pair of scissors.[/li][li]Speakers[/li] **MIDDLE** [li]15" Acer monitor[/li][li]Logitech optical mouse w/mousepad[/li][li]A pen[/li][li]A few notes-to-self taped against the side[/li][li]Keyboard[/li] **BOTTOM** [li]CPU[/li][li]Cable modem[/li][li]Iomega zipdrive[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Akaadji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@Akaadji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaadji)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/28 "2003-09-06T03:31:54Z")
Well…a bag of Doritos, the computer(speakers/printer/etc), several shredded or partially shredded popsicle sticks, a lone Reeses Cup…thing…you know, the black thingy…a water bottle, a telephone, an answering machine, a book of German Internet adresses, and a lamp with a bunch of stuff in it’s little holders. And my white tiger plushie is sitting on the computer, if that counts…_Really needs to clean up the desk_ ---
**Author:** ![JessEnigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cdc98d/32.png) [@JessEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JessEnigma)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/29 "2003-09-06T03:48:14Z")
I live at my desk. It makes me happy. I have: computer, printer, power strip, alarm clock, fan, desk lamp, white board, pencil holder, post-it notes (both stuck all over the desk and still attached to the pad of notes), crayons, random papers, books, napkins, camera, a container of cashews, and an empty Pepsi bottle. I don’t even want to think about what’s in the shelf underneath my desk. I could be here for hours. ---
**Author:** ![biqu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@biqu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biqu)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/30 "2003-09-06T03:50:29Z")
On the left: a mid-tower ATX case with ASUS A7V-E motherboard, 800 MHz AMD Athlon processor, 256 MB SDRAM, 7200 rpm 40 GB Seagate hard drive, 16/10/40x Plextor CD-writer, standard 90 mm floppy drive, 32 MB NVIDIA GeForce 2 MX AGP video card, 10/100 Linksys ethernet adapter, and SoundBlaster SB Live Value sound card. In the middle: 17" AOC Spectrum 7Elr monitor, set at 1024x768 resolution, and a Model M keyboard set to use the Dvorak keyboard layout. On the right: three identical mousepads, and a Logitech optical wheel mouse connected to one of the two USB ports on the motherboard. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/31 "2003-09-06T03:58:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by minlokwat \* > **Holy frijoles. How big are these freaking desks?** Mine’s about 2’×2½’ and is a heavy steel thing. I’m gonna get rid of it if we ever move again. ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/32 "2003-09-06T04:10:41Z")
Left - phone, digital camera, notepad and pen, scriptures and a card with some memory stuff I am working on. Left and right - stacks of music cd’s and cd roms. Right right - scanner. Right up -software manuals and 5 little gateway cd rom binders. Right up up - Some awards and keepsakes from a former place of employment. Directly up from the monitor - some religious study guides. Left - pictures in frames of all the boys. Left up - dictionary, thesayrys, a secretarial handbook, and some letter writing and style guides and a scrabble dictionary. Left up up - TeenSthrnAccents Eagle medal, merit badge sash, proclamation from the mayor and state senate and scrapbook. Right hip level - the tree part of the computer. At knees - a pull out shelf with the printer. Behind right hip level door - reams of different kinds of paper, a basket with different kinds of scissors and glue sticks, and a folio with some scout record keeping and mementos. Behind left hip level door - pens, pencils, paperclips, erasers, small notebooks, rulers, staplers, printer cartridges, batteries, a hole punch and other stuff along the same vein and a couple of stacks of “to be filed” type documents. ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/33 "2003-09-06T04:12:29Z")
:smack: thesaurus ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/34 "2003-09-06T04:57:34Z")
OK, here we go, this could take a while. **Right** Three books detailing The Simpsons episodes and one dealing with The Tick animated series. Two Futurama DVD’s Cube DVD Fellowship of the Ring DVD A USB to PS/2 converter, which in turn is plugged into a PS/2 to serial converter A keychain full of nothing but keychains A vulture beany baby A harmonica A few buttons (one says crows, the other says RPI class of 2004) An AC adapter for mu USB hub A boc of thumbtacks A can of air A camera A plush Cthulu My USB hub to which the aforementioned AC adapter goes to A box full of stickers from The Tick A can of American Star peas, with all the stuff written on the label duplicated in Russian A bottle of LCD screen cleaner A CD spindle of a hundred CD-R’s I burnt a lot of stuff onto when I had to backup my PC before reformatting Three bags of hardware for putting together a PC 10 Canadian dollars A tube of thermal grease A bottle opener My Palm Pilot and it’s cradle My digital camera Another spibdle of CD’s A plastic basket full of pens and pencils Two memo pads A shot glass My PC tower Headphones My GBA SP **Left** A phillips head screwdriver A pad of post-its Many pieces of paper for various things, such as receipts, bank statements, recipes, etc…all in a big pile Pens and pencils scattered about A bottle of ibuprofen A bag of Lifesavers strawberry creamsavers Two cups A bean-bag ball thingy My set of keys My spare car key A coaster A bag of yogurt chips for my hamster A box of floppies A portable CD player Boxes for my GBA games Software CD’s for important things (like OS, anti-virus, etc…) Electrical tape Bag of dice Graphing calculator A foam beetle keychain (the car, not the insect) Labyrinth DVD Monty Python and the Holy Grail DVD A pair of pliers A monkey wrench A tube of chapstick A Gamecube memory card The floppy drive to my laptop Staples A three hold punch Hardware driver CD’s A bottle of Dish Detergent All my roomates stuff (the desk is one long piece of wood, so technically, all of the stuff on “his” desk is merely on the right side of my desk, but I won’t go into those things, suffice to say there is aa computer and stereo and some books, not much else.) I think that’s about it…I rally need to clean it, seeing as I have to dig through all the papers and used post-it notes on the right side to find anythnig useful. ---
**Author:** ![Orange\_Skinner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3be4f8/32.png) [@Orange\_Skinner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orange_Skinner)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/35 "2003-09-06T05:22:24Z")
- A stack of about fifteen floppy disks - Two black pens - One pink pen - Two hair ties -My holy communion pin, for some reason…my mother found it tacked to my communion dress the other day and said it being around might make me repent or something - A crumpled up lottery ticket - A snap shot of my mother doing dishes on vacation - Another crumpled up lottery ticket - A rusty washer - A copy of _The Perks of Being a Wallflower_ - A booklet of CD ROMs -Copies of The Beatles “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” Yes,’ “Going for the One,” Warren Zevon’s “Exitable Boy,” Al Stewart’s “Time Passages,” Pink Floyd’s “Relics,” Heart’s “The Road Home,” George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass,” Todd Rundgren’s “The Hermit of Mink Hallow,” disk two of Jefferson Airplane’s “2400 Fulton Street,” and a copy of “The Grand Illusion” by Styx - A copy of my Pink Floyd power point presentation burned from last year’s horrible computer applications class - Mouse, keyboard, monitor, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/36 "2003-09-06T05:54:41Z")
Anthro cart, 24" wide, 4 shelves. Top shelf: Canon scanner Ikea swivel lamp Gumball machine Broken Lego car ☹ Mini plastic punch-out dinosaur Cute fluffy bunny stuffed animal Two mini inflatable beach balls Shallow woven basket with my keys, wallet, watch, etc. Silvery-metal cell phone holder (shaped like a hand) Several Post-It® note reminders/amusing notes Main shelf: 2003 calendar An empty skinny 8.4oz can of Coke Various remote controls Spindle of CD-Rs 4-port USB hub A plaster jewelry bust with a necklace on it My iMac (with a D2 play disc sticking out of the CD slot) Two SD cards, one 128MB and one 256MB A cut-out UPC code from one of the SD cards Hanging on desk’s shelf supports: Digital camera (in carrying bag) Atlanta Braves cap Keyboard shelf: Keyboard Wireless optical mouse on pad-wrist rest A black-gray-white color chart torn from a book My CD writer and external hard drive cases, stacked Stack of MtG cards (all lands) Lowest shelf: Catalogs Wire mesh CD holders Photo albums Can of air Below desk: Three 256 CD binders Box with random cables, cable labels (rhymes!), and an old SuperDisk drive ---
**Author:** ![Katisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bcef8e/32.png) [@Katisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katisha)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/37 "2003-09-06T06:13:07Z")
I’m bored, so here’s the Random Crap on My Desk: laptop printer, now running out of ink lamp cable modem cordless phone (the phone bit, I mean, not the cradle or whatever it’s called) DVD player scanner flashlight stapler (in a nifty shade of purple) mug of pencils and pens (it says “Mercy Field Hockey Inaugural Team, 1993” on it) three different remote controls assorted papers including a printout of “A Modest Proposal,” the script for the radio Shakespeare production I’m working on, excerpts from the eclogues of Alexander Barclay, some poetry by John Skelton, some journal articles on Sidney’s “Lady of May,” a note from some friends who sent me a book a while back, my schedule, and strategies for writing instructors who wish to use the computer lab in class the Poor Yorick catalogue (best video store ever) box containing necklace with gold cross pendant and class ring several dollar bills and assorted change fork (not sure why that’s there) two empty Squirt cans ticket stub from 2003 St. Louis Shakespeare Festival a few napkins a ketchup packet (apparently from Jack in the Box) a Tupperware thingie containing semi-edible peanut butter cookies a stack of floppy disks another Tupperware thingie with assorted receipts and ticket stubs in it random scraps of things including notes written to myself and a reminder to fill out FAFSA forms one of those plug thingies that you can use to plug a three-pronged plug into a two-pronged outlet Thrilling, huh? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Nvme77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Nvme77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nvme77)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/38 "2003-09-06T06:13:52Z")
Wow, guys, I dont even know what these things are called. Monitor keyboard tower under desk… At work I have a voodoo doll on top of my monitor for anyone who strolls by and wants to know just by peering at my desk what kind of person I might be. The doll has two safety pins in it. One for my manager and one for Ford Motor Credit (that one is a favor for a buddy in Kansas). Left Candle warmer sugar cookie candle, liquid empty dr pepper can doritos guitar pick cap to Snapple bottle cordless phone alarm clock/radio speaker Right mouse mouse pad speaker Welcome Home candle, solid carpenters glue pacific digital drive (only know the name 'cause the label is still on it) Elmers glue spindle of blank cd’s printer, epson printer, lexmark scanner, never used router ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/39 "2003-09-06T06:29:33Z")
Two imitation-jade “Foo Dogs;” a Zip disk; a “Piccolo” drive; two pairs of headphones (one working); a “Freedom Force” jewel case; an “X-Plane” jewel case; the “String Quartet Tribute to Black Sabbath” CD; a “cyborg” joystick; my computer, my CRT monitor, my keyboard, and my Mac’s original “hockey puck” mouse. ---
**Author:** ![fizgig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f04885/32.png) [@fizgig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizgig)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/40 "2003-09-06T06:31:35Z")
Red checked kitchen towel Laser pointer Dragonfly banker’s lamp Big Van Gogh mug full of pens Nalgene bottle Check book Can of Diet Cherry 7-Up A mini… Mini Cooper “see no evil” monkeys, except they’re peeking Cable Modem CD wallets Karate Elvis Blue Hawaii Elvis A pyramid puzzle game A bird made out of a cow horn A sequined Uncle Sam hat from Vegas Talking Heads pictur record Sgt. Pepper tin sign Digital camera Webster’s Dictionary (I have a three-story desk) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829.md?page=3)