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Merriguy
6th February 2007, 08:55 AM
This, I guess, is a little off the forum mainstream; but I would like to hear the suggestions of members:

Shortly I am retiring and moving to a new home where I will have a whole (small) room for my gambling office. What I would like to know is how forumites would outfit this room.

Now, I am not made of money (and my gambling hasn't improved that situation!); but suggestions about monitors, desks, storage, etc., etc. would be appreciated. Have a P.C. and printer, of course; but haven't yet any Foxtel or whatever. Have a waste paper basket (one of the most important pieces of furniture!!); but would like to really set up a cosy "den", for want of a better word, to make my losing a little more comfortable http://www.propun.com.au/racing_forums/images/smilies/smile.gif .

Any suggestions? What can't you do without?

Thanks guys.

Shaun
6th February 2007, 09:23 AM
I am not sure on some of those things but i can say if i was doing this i would get two 19" LCD monitors three if you have the money they are less than $400 now these can be run as an extended desktop you may need a different video card, talk to your local computer store NOT Harvey Norman or any place like that but a real computer store where they know what they are talking about.

I could also say get a flat panel tv but you may not have the room or the cash but you could get a video card that supports tv in and watch your foxtel on there.

I am not sure what type of internet connection you have but make sure it is high speed DSL forget the dialup it will drive you insane.

AngryPixie
6th February 2007, 09:26 AM
There's some interesting set-ups here

http://www.realtimesoft.com/multimon/gallery.asp

I like this one

http://www.realtimesoft.com/multimon/gallery_browse.asp?ID=259&date=desc&nummon=true&mon=desc

dingoboy
6th February 2007, 11:38 AM
Congrts Merriguy,

Good luck and prosperous health.

from my side, my "bar" where the action takes place has the following.

a:high speed internet with back up "dial up" modem
b:FOXTEL
c:good quality souround sound amp so as to facilitate switching between foxtel audio and racing radio via remote
d:Telephone line seperate to the house line
e:stress ball
f:Good desk light for the night work
g:removable computer storage device for back ups
h:Lock on the door
i: A window with a view to remind you that there is a world outside that you MUST go out and enjoy every now and then.

One thing you might like to look into would be a CABLE internet connection to Optus, i think they are super fast on internet and you can then watch the races via fox or other providers with it. Run both through one computer with the two or three screens mentioned by Shaun with one mouse.

The seperate phone i find is handy as the misses is always on the house phone when you need to call someone or put a bet on via the phone.

Back up onto a hard drive is easy, 30 or 40 dollars and you can carry all your data in your pocket.

Just a few sujestions but good luck

Cheers D

darkydog2002
6th February 2007, 11:57 AM
A flagon of plonk and a carton of cigarettes for the "bad " days when nothing goes right.

Cheers.
darky

Chrome Prince
6th February 2007, 12:06 PM
1. A bar fridge to celebrate good fortune
2. A couch to lay down on when you've had a shocker.

:D

EDITED (darkydog beat me to it - ugh)

Seriously, all the best Merriguy.

You say that space is small and budget is not massive, so I'd keep it simple.

As suggested, I would get a dual monitor setup.
One for odds watching and one for the bet placement page.

I wouldn't get a tv card and run that simultaneously with your other connections, you'll eat into your pc resources too much, I'd get foxtel on a flat panel tv and wall mount it above the twin monitors.

Get yourself a good expensive comfortable chair, it makes all the difference.

Have the top of the monitors at eye level

Have two drives in your pc, and use a cloning program to do a daily clone of your existing hard drive, that way if a failure occurs you can just switch drives.

You don't need 17 monitors or anything silly like that, although it looks impressive, it is a waste of resources and expensive.
There are plenty of racing sites that have programs that will display all the odds everywhere for you to choose from or see fluctuations in one browser. (I use dynamicodds).

Enjoy your retirement.

To answer your question directly I can't do without the internet, Excel, and a Captain Kirk leather chair, the rest is just frills.

darkydog2002
6th February 2007, 12:46 PM
The thing that always annoyed me because I kept forgetting to have it close was a pocket calculator.

Would clock on a FIXED price of say $2.80 then have to PF around working out how much to put on to clear $100.

Got the prices all on a sheet now for easy access ( another good thing to have on hand)

Good luck with your retirement.
Cheers.
darky.

dingoboy
6th February 2007, 02:28 PM
Another thing now that Darky mentioned clock.

I have on my desktop a thing called "atomic clock".

This thing is awsome, it is exactly accurate and is usefull to know when a race is about to jump in the last few seconds, you can find it by typing it into your search engine and download it, alternatively, a good quality plug in the wall electric clock.

Maybe we should submit our own "punting den" photo link for merriguy and all to have a look at, could be a bit of fun,...ill make sure i move the ash tray though.

And im actually thinking of my next punting den purchase,...a dart board,.. at twenty paces i should be able to find a winner that way

Cheers Dingo

crash
6th February 2007, 02:59 PM
Don't forget the imitation foam brick [looks like the real thing] to toss at the TV monitor when your runner gets beaten by a tongue !

Shaun
6th February 2007, 03:04 PM
I love the setup that had the microwave in the corner, now thats a good ides

AngryPixie
6th February 2007, 03:17 PM
Merriguy

I'm just using a little Sony TX37 notebook, wireless access point and Optus Cable these days. I can then move around the house/garden at will. Was up in Coolangatta during Cup week and took the notebook, and used it with a smartphone for internet access and although access was slower it was pretty usable. And there's nothing like backing a winner from the bathroom. Did that come out right...?

I agree that a decent calc is a must. I've never come to grips with the on screen ones. Big key's and numbers too. A decent multifunction printer is a good investment. I like the Brother MFC-8860DN.

A shredder and a fire-rated safe.

On the software side a tabbed browser is a must. Avant is my browser of choice and I make alot of use of its auto refresh function. Something like ScanSoft Paperport can be really handy to keep all your digital files in order. Don't forget to back things up. Acronis True Image Home can be a real life saver. eWallet or similar to keep your password and account details safe. Maybe a decent USB/Firewire external drive to keep the backups on. You can then lock this away in the safe. RoboForm can be quite useful too.

Pixie

michaelg
6th February 2007, 03:19 PM
I'd like a hot blonde to comfort me when I lose, or even when I win.

All the best in your retirement.

Michael.

Merriguy
6th February 2007, 05:08 PM
Wow! Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Will take them all on board --- and I feel quite a number of other forumites will benefit from your thoughts too.

Those setups at the addresses you pointed out have had me drooling all day. Pixie!!

What a lot of great ideas. Will take all the thoughts on board --- and I'm sure they will bear fruit. Some of the suggestions (not many) I have; for others I'll have to spend some time visiting stores, and picking the brains of some friends who are more au fait with electronic gizmos than I am.

Now the stress ball is a good idea, and I will have to do something about a bar fridge. On second thoughts, I may leave that at a distance. Out of temptation's way.

Again, thanks.

P.S. Do you supply those imitation bricks, Crash? Know what you mean.

xptdriver
6th February 2007, 05:36 PM
Gday All

My setup was only completed last weekend.. I have

1/ a Desk top computer (duh).. 19" Flat screen.. I back up to DVDs
2/ Broadband net connection... a router with 4 usb ports so others can enjoy the connection by using long cables.. pick your speed then enjoy
3/ Surround sound system (gotta rock out at times) Good when watching the cricket can turn the nine team off and listen to the abc..
4/ Austar connection..

Back to last weekend... I have a daughter who is heading to Uni at Armidale.. I had promised her a laptop (still don't have one myself).. So off I set b4 the races last saturday to grab one for her... I lobbed into the local electrical shop, had a look and found an acer for her marked at 1400$.. But something caught my eye in the TV area.. an 81 cm SHARP LCD TV. Not a no name thing... They had a price of 999$ on it... I thought.. hello this thing must be cactus..asked a couple of questions... and said to the sales guy.. do me a deal on the laptop and the tv.. this we did.. 1898$ all up.. So I was absolutely wrapped.. must be hard times in electrical retailing in this country town...

Bought the TV home (it was a new one in the box not the display) hooked it up.. and the races look great.. best grand I have ever spent.. I would reccommend that type of TV to anyone, you need to be able to see the horses as they are going around after all... provided you have the room...

Cheers

dingoboy
7th February 2007, 08:43 AM
Good score,

You may find that one of the big named electrical stores (R) may be giving STUPPID deals now and for the next few weeks as this "franchise" is going bust and the independant stores cant buy through this head office anymore and will be looking to clear stock. They will probabally change the name of the store soon to another big name horse owner/retailer as what has happened down here with one of the stores, so keep your eyes out everyone for big savings, just do as XPT has done and ask for a deal, you will be surprissed.
I have to do something simmilar due to a lightning strike on some gear of mine, and they are much much cheaper than others.
So Merriguy, lift that matress up and take the wad out of the sock its a good time to look for a bargain.

D

xptdriver
7th February 2007, 09:40 AM
Good score,

You may find that one of the big named electrical stores (R) may be giving STUPPID deals now and for the next few weeks as this "franchise" is going bust

(Snipped)

D


If the "R" stands for what I think it does... you know, the only decison.... you are spot on, that is exactly where I got the gear from...

Cheers

dingoboy
7th February 2007, 10:56 AM
only not wanting to get "moderated" but RET is the one,

Go buy up big.

Cheers Ding

Bhagwan
8th February 2007, 12:06 AM
If a bar fridge is too bulky for the room , have a fold up Esky with handle & wheels in there for those neccesary fluids .
The Esky can be put back into the garage when not in use.

Plug in duel speaker radio that works when near a computer set up. (many radios get affected by computers) $10 at garage sales

ADSL connection.

Phone + Mobile

Australian made comfort chair (these are usually much better made & dont rattle to pieces like many imports).
Can be bought from 2nd hand office furniture dealers for less than half of new price.

Small TV with good sound, preferably duel speakers for sound quality, otherwise one will find themselves having to put the volumn up too high just to get some sort of sound definition. Cost New $120

A box with lid for the stray paper work.

A good size monitor to save unnessary eye strain.

UBS power surge protector to save your gear from being blown up & your files & programs from being wiped especially if one lives in QLD.
Make sure one plugs their Modem into it as well.
Quality units cost approx $150
Smaller systems are good for one or two electrical strikes & should be replaced after that.

Have a computer that has a backup hard drive for storing those important programs & files , approx 30MB is more than enough.

Cheers.

Merriguy
8th February 2007, 11:57 AM
Thanks guys for all those replies. Did not expect to get such a response. All the thoughts will help me set up something worthwhile, I'm sure.

Must get off today to the nearest RET store (late night shopping) and see what is on offer :) . Again my thanks.

AngryPixie
22nd February 2007, 11:39 AM
Merriguy

How have you gone so far? Make us drool :)

Pixie