As we have reviewed previously, God created golf courses because that makes it easier for him to hit golfers with lightning. Nobody likes golf. Not here, not anywhere.
That's also why he put trees on golf courses as he thinks it's funny that golfers got the idea trees afford protection from lightning as that's the Fifty-Thousand-Volt Wrong Answer. Your best bet is to lie flat on the ground, ideally in a gully of some kind, and I know you don't want to get your adorable Izod golfer shirt dirty but the other choice is getting dead so (cough) make your move, Arnold Palmer.
There's a problem with lightning beyond the little problem it delivers golfers as that lightning can also play hell with your computer and this requires protection.
APS has been my preferred choice for battery back-up for my computers but reviews of late aren't so good and the prices are higher than competition such as CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD Intelligent LCD UPS 1500VA 900W AVR Mini-Tower which is rated highly, reviewed well, and costs less at roughly $140 US (link is to Amazon).
Fort Worth power is not too reliable as random power drops are not terribly uncommon (e.g. power drops for a millisecond or so and then returns). That sort of thing is like CAT (Clear Air Turbulence) as there's no way you can see it coming.
The bigger problem is in lightning strikes as I shutdown before there's the faintest risk of a strike due to the threat of Immediate Computer Death if there is a lightning strike anywhere even somewhat close to the house.
The above problems can be corrected or at least addressed by a battery back-up.
The first problem of a random power drop will be solved immediately as a power buffer will prevent that from causing any downtime with the important benefit being your devices will not suffer the momentary power loss that throws their little computer minds into a tizzy. That simple problem can easily destroy them. That won't happen every time but it easily can.
The second situation of lightning is addressed two ways. If there is a lightning strike that drops power for the area then the battery backup will keep your system running for 'x' number of minutes which gives you time to shut it down gracefully. Although it isn't terribly harmful to cut power to a computer, it doesn't need the aggravation and follow along clean-up needed on restart. The first problem of total power loss is solved by the backup.
Note: this does NOT permit you to keep working after the power has gone because there's a finite limit to backup and then it will shutdown because its battery is out of power. Use the backup only to ensure your data is saved and your system is shutdown gracefully.
The other aspect of protection from lightning is in general power conditioning and the overall efficacy of the device in this regard is not something you ever want to test. Battery backups can address this problem but there is no perfect solution. If the lightning strikes close enough, your kit will get fried. However, you will have had plenty of warning of a lightning storm prior to it ever getting that bad. If you have not disconnected wall power by that time then ... well ... shame on you. Welcome to the world of paperback books.
Evaluation Flow Chart
Is it worth as much as half a bag of high-quality reefer?
Yes.
Fortunately I already have some and half a bag ought to be good for the month. I mention that as it may amuse people who know how much I have smoked in my life. When I say high-quality, I mean exceptionally high-quality.
This is still the Reefer Underground which is largely untouched by corporate hands. Some of you may not understand that long-time stoners give it up for legalization as a sacrifice. We really don't want your heathen hands on it and corporate piggery will undoubtedly jack the prices but it keeps the hands of heathen cops off us and that's value.
Is it worth waiting another month or two before getting the last video camera (e.g. Canon for about $200 US)?
Yes.
This one is more difficult but the priority is immediate. I would dearly love to make the move and complete the CAS (Camera Acquisition Saga) but the risk of ICD (Immediate Computer Death) is too high from the lightning.
Never ever underestimate the risk from lightning.
The regulars will understand from those two questions that this device is an extremely high priority. The reason for the write-up is that many of you don't do it because you not be aware of the need but here's another perspective: you're buying $150 worth of real protection (i.e. as opposed to paper insurance) for maybe $3000 in hardware and data that's likely irreplaceable.
That's also why he put trees on golf courses as he thinks it's funny that golfers got the idea trees afford protection from lightning as that's the Fifty-Thousand-Volt Wrong Answer. Your best bet is to lie flat on the ground, ideally in a gully of some kind, and I know you don't want to get your adorable Izod golfer shirt dirty but the other choice is getting dead so (cough) make your move, Arnold Palmer.
There's a problem with lightning beyond the little problem it delivers golfers as that lightning can also play hell with your computer and this requires protection.
APS has been my preferred choice for battery back-up for my computers but reviews of late aren't so good and the prices are higher than competition such as CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD Intelligent LCD UPS 1500VA 900W AVR Mini-Tower which is rated highly, reviewed well, and costs less at roughly $140 US (link is to Amazon).
Fort Worth power is not too reliable as random power drops are not terribly uncommon (e.g. power drops for a millisecond or so and then returns). That sort of thing is like CAT (Clear Air Turbulence) as there's no way you can see it coming.
The bigger problem is in lightning strikes as I shutdown before there's the faintest risk of a strike due to the threat of Immediate Computer Death if there is a lightning strike anywhere even somewhat close to the house.
The above problems can be corrected or at least addressed by a battery back-up.
The first problem of a random power drop will be solved immediately as a power buffer will prevent that from causing any downtime with the important benefit being your devices will not suffer the momentary power loss that throws their little computer minds into a tizzy. That simple problem can easily destroy them. That won't happen every time but it easily can.
The second situation of lightning is addressed two ways. If there is a lightning strike that drops power for the area then the battery backup will keep your system running for 'x' number of minutes which gives you time to shut it down gracefully. Although it isn't terribly harmful to cut power to a computer, it doesn't need the aggravation and follow along clean-up needed on restart. The first problem of total power loss is solved by the backup.
Note: this does NOT permit you to keep working after the power has gone because there's a finite limit to backup and then it will shutdown because its battery is out of power. Use the backup only to ensure your data is saved and your system is shutdown gracefully.
The other aspect of protection from lightning is in general power conditioning and the overall efficacy of the device in this regard is not something you ever want to test. Battery backups can address this problem but there is no perfect solution. If the lightning strikes close enough, your kit will get fried. However, you will have had plenty of warning of a lightning storm prior to it ever getting that bad. If you have not disconnected wall power by that time then ... well ... shame on you. Welcome to the world of paperback books.
Evaluation Flow Chart
Is it worth as much as half a bag of high-quality reefer?
Yes.
Fortunately I already have some and half a bag ought to be good for the month. I mention that as it may amuse people who know how much I have smoked in my life. When I say high-quality, I mean exceptionally high-quality.
This is still the Reefer Underground which is largely untouched by corporate hands. Some of you may not understand that long-time stoners give it up for legalization as a sacrifice. We really don't want your heathen hands on it and corporate piggery will undoubtedly jack the prices but it keeps the hands of heathen cops off us and that's value.
Is it worth waiting another month or two before getting the last video camera (e.g. Canon for about $200 US)?
Yes.
This one is more difficult but the priority is immediate. I would dearly love to make the move and complete the CAS (Camera Acquisition Saga) but the risk of ICD (Immediate Computer Death) is too high from the lightning.
Never ever underestimate the risk from lightning.
The regulars will understand from those two questions that this device is an extremely high priority. The reason for the write-up is that many of you don't do it because you not be aware of the need but here's another perspective: you're buying $150 worth of real protection (i.e. as opposed to paper insurance) for maybe $3000 in hardware and data that's likely irreplaceable.
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