# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![TelcontarStorm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@TelcontarStorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TelcontarStorm)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/41 "2003-09-06T22:34:04Z")
Key board on pull out Office junk in drawer Notebook, ashtray (Smokes and lighter inside)Monitor, mouse,mousepad, pencil holder (a bunch of stuff and no pencils), flashlight, comb, surge protector, mail, and printer on desk top. Cassete, pink paper,and printer paper on first shelf Folders, and phone books on second shelf. Across the top is speakers, scanner, bookholder,and an article dut out of paper. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/42 "2003-09-07T00:09:51Z")
Monitor Keyboard Mouse Slide scanner Lamp Set of Pantone color swatches Box of 35mm slides Can of escargots from Paris Pocket watch from the Greenwich Observatory 2 jars of peanut butter (one is empty) Vitamins Little black sheep from Stonehenge Q-tips Eiffel Tower paperweight Paperweight from Venice Can opener Container of writing implements PDA 2 orchids Box of Magnetic Poetry (cat-lovers’ edition) Catnip mouse Iced tea Cleveland Clinic photo ID 2 calculators ZIP disks Tissues ---
**Author:** ![look\_ninjas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@look\_ninjas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/look_ninjas)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/43 "2003-09-07T01:47:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bouv \* > A plush Cthulu Wherever did you find that? I want one! ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/44 "2003-09-07T02:04:48Z")
I’m at home, so it would be . . . (From left to right) Half-empty water bottle Bracelet I took off half an hour ago (bangs the keyboard when I type and bugs me) _Montana: A History of Two Centuries_, from when I was discussing Custer’s Last Stand with SPAVINED GELDING Laptop Cordless phone stand (phone is apparently somewhere else) Annswering machine Vanilla scented candle Box of matches Glass of chardonnay Picture of my grandfather Picture of my family ---
**Author:** ![Bottle\_of\_Smoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Bottle\_of\_Smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bottle_of_Smoke)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/45 "2003-09-07T02:54:54Z")
Handspring Visor cradle HP printer/scanner/copier Family pictures Three spider plants my kids grew in school An unopened 20 pack of CD-Rs ($9.99 at Shopko – such a deal!) A stack of HTML for beginners-type books from the library A Chuck Woolery bobblehead A frosty cold New Glarus Uff-Da Bock. That one won’t be there for long though. ---
**Author:** ![rolandgunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cdc98d/32.png) [@rolandgunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rolandgunslinger)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/46 "2003-09-07T06:38:54Z")
Just bought these today to go with my 12 inch “KISS ALIVE” Gene Simmons figure. All four KISS mini busts. Gene and Paul on my monitor Ace and Peter on my speakers. YEAH!!! Mrs. Slinger not to happy. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![fizzygoodmakefeelnice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@fizzygoodmakefeelnice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizzygoodmakefeelnice)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/47 "2003-09-07T12:48:24Z")
[ul][_]Lamp[_]Speakers[_]Printer[_]An REM cd[_]A fat dictionary[_]My glasses[_]Some wine[_]A cheeseburger[_]A balloon saying “Congratulations!”[_]A couple of books (_To Kill a Mockingbird_ and _The Drawing of the Three_)[_]A plastic mask in the shape of a creepy green skull[_]A budgie called Ford trying to pick up my glasses[_]Laptop[_]Hair wax[/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Sylkyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@Sylkyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylkyn)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/48 "2003-09-07T12:53:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rolandgunslinger \* > \*\*A 12 inch “KISS ALIVE” Gene Simmons figure! > > My wife hates it.😃 \*\* You’re kidding! I have a 24" stuffed Gene Simmons doll (not an action figure) sitting on top of my tower as we speak! I love him. I want to collect Ace, Peter and Paul too, but there won’t be room for them on my desk. I also have a phone on my desk, my school books and a lamp sans lampshade. Oh and my digital cam sits on top of one of my speakers. There is also a bottle of moisturizing lotion, but I didn’t put it there, and I’m going to pretend my son wasn’t the last person at this desk, too. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Delly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Delly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delly)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/49 "2003-09-08T01:06:03Z")
Am I the only one sitting at one of those space saver desks? Its literally got the monitor, mouse and mousepad on the first shelf. Second shelf has the scanner. Third Shelf has the tower and the printer. There are a few little things beside the monitor tho, my cell phone, a hair tie, a pen, a ring (I just read Jjimms ring post), a receipt from a registered letter I sent to some Ebay guy and a copy of Arwens Evenstar chain from the Lord of the Rings. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody\_s\_Fool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ba8739/32.png) [@Nobody\_s\_Fool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody_s_Fool)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/50 "2003-09-08T01:28:41Z")
I too have a space saver desk and you would still be surprised what I can pile on it, around the computer. I have notebooks, papers, bills, disks, camera, roll of tape, and oh yes, my sleep mask. ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/51 "2003-09-08T02:19:59Z")
Top shelf: speakers, CD rack with about 100 CDs on it Monitor shelf: 15" monitor, stack of note cards, small desk lamp To the right of monitor: Scanner, three remote controls, bag of Doritos, bad CD-R that is used as a coaster for my drinks, cup full of Coke and ice on said coaster Beneath monitor: switchbox for switching between workstation and server, intercom for communicating with roommate upstairs, keyboard. On file cabinet to my left: computer tower, four CDs stacked on top of it, router. On table to my right: HP LaserJet 6L printer, HP DeskJet 940, telephone base, answering machine, more CDs, digital camera, video camera, several odds and ends. ---
**Author:** ![Erika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/47e85d/32.png) [@Erika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erika)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/52 "2003-09-08T03:24:48Z")
a lamp speakers recently burned cds two empty soda cans and empty glass nail clippers mouse and mouse pad monitor stuffed zebra on top of the monitor radio phone candle post-it note pad watch hair tie sterlite box with all of my nailpolish in it [got stalled on its way to somewhere else.] ---
**Author:** ![Saguaro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Saguaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saguaro)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/53 "2003-09-08T04:19:52Z")
printer,speakers, scanner, calculator, Microscope, mineral specimens, CD holder, ruler, pens, tape, notebook, 3 computer books, camera pictures, ring holder box, cigar box, 2 etched sea shells, wood glue, and business cards. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/54 "2003-09-08T05:04:03Z")
I’ll confine this to the computer desk so the hamsters don’t run their feeties off. Left to right: Inkjet printer living atop Paper/envelope/floppy cozy organizer Blues ABC adventures and Reader Rabbit CD’s that my daughter uses Battery powered device for grinding/shaping cellulose material which surrounds cylindrical extrusions of graphite, AKA pencil sharpener Calculator Work lamp with flexible body Gumby figure sitting on spring A/B printer switch Top down: Monitor with daughter pictures clock radio, more CDs, wireless phone, post it pads, PC. Spindle of blank CDs, joystick, dot matrix printer, scanner. Sorry. I missed rodent and rodent rug. ---
**Author:** ![Tommyturtle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@Tommyturtle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tommyturtle)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/55 "2003-09-08T06:07:31Z")
Beside the normal computer stuff I have a hard plastic life-sized squirrel…a stuffed onion that says "ma ma…pa pa…cries…laughs(very cute)…a stuffed monkey with Velcro on his hands hanging from the side of my desk ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/56 "2003-09-08T06:35:21Z")
A couple monitors, a label maker, a small audio mixer… Umm… Here’s a picture. [http://www.tictokmen.com/stuff/IMAG0036.JPG](http://www.tictokmen.com/stuff/IMAG0036.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![spogga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ab097/32.png) [@spogga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spogga)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/57 "2003-09-08T08:23:41Z")
Speakers,mug full of pens, notepad, post it notes,calculator,clock,2 floppies, 3 CDs,hi liter pens,coffee mug and coaster,plastic Bart Simpson with trousers down, and the usual stuff. ---
**Author:** ![littlekid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@littlekid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/littlekid)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/58 "2003-09-08T09:56:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dwc1970 \* > \*\*… bad CD-R that is used as a coaster for my drinks… \*\* I used to do that too, but recently I upgraded to a DVD-R 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/59 "2003-09-08T14:19:34Z")
To my left are two telephones (one private) the other a batphone a color printer paper and junk To my right tons of binders and catalogs a spindle of cds a box of technical papers I am weeding through A cigar Aficiondado magazine personal bills to pay a prescription I should have started taking last week but keep forgetting. Putting it on my desk in hopes of remembering to take it a ton of (personal books) ranging from subjects of Rasing kids without pressure, spiritual books and quotes a cup of cold coffee ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829/60 "2003-09-08T16:19:09Z")
Someone asked how big these desks are. Well, mine’s a big “L” at 7 or 8 feet per side along the back. I tidied it up recently so here’s what’s left: A hard-side CD case that holds 10 Box of Earl Grey tea and a box of Plantion Mint tea - neither of which I drink. I really ought to put them in the break room for others to enjoy. Clear package of multicolored paper clips, thumbtacks and such that I never use as I don’t have any thumb-tackable surfaces. About 15 backup cartridges from servers that no longer exist. 25 still shrinkwrapped CDR blanks A new, still in the package Monster Cable audio cable Small sewing kit Bowl of dead batteries that need to go to the recycle bin Fortune cookie Stapler and tape Can of Vanilla Coke (been there for about three months) Some sort of shells and whatnot thingie that appeared on my desk while I was out last Friday - assuming it’s from a co-worker that went to Hawaii recently. Phone headset Paperclips in small wire mesh baskets Bottle of screen cleaner Several promo rainbow-colored plastic slinkys “stress” balls Glass jar of candy from another bank Battery charger for my… $15 portable radio that’s never left the desk Two Dogbert head slammers - One sort of works, the other’s dead Cup of “Mocha Java Rocket Fuel” coffee from the breakroom And that’s the hellish left side. Front and center is a 22" monitor, my radio speakers, several post-its with notes on them, business cards, pens and a tin of tangerine Altoids Underneath hangs the keyboard and mouse tray To the right: Copystand Coupons to a sandwich delivery service that doesn’t exist in this zip code Control box for the phone headset Phone Certification reports listing users of an ACH (Automated Clearing House) system Batteries “Zen” rock fountain that’s not had any water in it for about a year Very small, but intricately painted ceramic bird - a memento from another co-worker’s vacation Postcard related to the Oracle OpenWorld expo happening this week Cell phone charger Binder of Microsoft .Net Developer training materials Keyboard and monitor used when working on faield computers that need to be off the network Stack of HR and benefits manuals CT and MRI images of my neck and upper back and sinuses. (How badly was my neck damaged in an accident, and how badly deviated was my nasal septum before it was operated on? Anwer to both: very.) Under on the left: Two file cabinets p-touch label maker Under on the right: Paper recycle bin small fan Very old and slow 2x external CD writer Box of telephone, LAN, printer, etc. cables Box of bad mice Overall: Dust. (They take the trash and vacuum, but won’t dust.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-poll-whats-on-your-computer-desk/199829.md?page=4)