Anyone else 'downsizing' their systems?

[rainparade]

I'm currently in the process of cutting-down from two desktops and a laptop to just a single laptop.

If I'm honest, this has more to do with justifying buying the new laptop than facing up to the credit crunch, but I'm actually finding the process quite liberating. No more searching multiple hard-drives to find that elusive file that I downloaded ages ago but never got around to looking at; no more trying to work-out which version of Outlook I happened to be using when that important email came; no more nagging worry when reformatting that old drive, just in case I've left some un-backed-up tunes or family photos hidden somewhere deep within the folder structure...

I know I could solve most of these issues just by being more organised and getting my systems more automated, but realistically that's not going to happen any time soon.

The only problem so far has been the time it’s taking extracting everything I want to keep from the old systems – particularly as I’ve had a habit of copying the entire contents of a hard-drives (to sort through later, you understand) every time I’ve upgraded.

So, does anyone else have any experiences of de-cluttering their digital lives, good or bad?

[SamanthaCarter]

ha, i just have a desktop. The only time I downsize is accidental when I break something =P

Never had a laptop though...

[Bluecube]

I'm not downsizing at the moment, PC wise but I'm finding myself using my laptop more and more over my main PC. Next time I upgrade (which won't be for a few years yet) I can see myself getting a new laptop and that's it. There's little point in having a big PC these days unless you're a hard core gamer or video editor.

[kalniel]

I'm currently in the process of cutting-down from two desktops and a laptop to just a single laptop.

If I'm honest, this has more to do with justifying buying the new laptop than facing up to the credit crunch, but I'm actually finding the process quite liberating. No more searching multiple hard-drives to find that elusive file that I downloaded ages ago but never got around to looking at; no more trying to work-out which version of Outlook I happened to be using when that important email came; no more nagging worry when reformatting that old drive, just in case I've left some un-backed-up tunes or family photos hidden somewhere deep within the folder structure...

I know I could solve most of these issues just by being more organised and getting my systems more automated, but realistically that's not going to happen any time soon.

The only problem so far has been the time it’s taking extracting everything I want to keep from the old systems – particularly as I’ve had a habit of copying the entire contents of a hard-drives (to sort through later, you understand) every time I’ve upgraded.

So, does anyone else have any experiences of de-cluttering their digital lives, good or bad?

But will you *really* get rid of the old systems?? I keep saying I will, but they're still here..

[CaseyV9]

I have just one computer. I am thinking of getting a 60GB USB stick to back up stuff. Would one you could have all your main files on it. You could use it on all your computers without hastle.

[kalniel]

I have just one computer. I am thinking of getting a 60GB USB stick to back up stuff. Would one you could have all your main files on it. You could use it on all your computers without hastle.

And be up a certain creek without propulsion aids if you lost it..

[Saracen]

Yes, I'm downsizing. I'm planning on reducing the dozen or so (largely ancient) systems I have at home to a more sensible half dozen or so.

[directhex]

I've downsized my home server, at a saving of ~200W idle

[G4Z]

Heh, I rarely downsize anything when it comes to my systems. The most i have ever had in use at any one time was 3 when i was using one as a media centre, one laptop and main gaming/surfing PC. I didn't so much bin the media PC as much as it was totally out performed by my xbox + £60 (!!!! - worth it tho I suppose, never misses a beat) wireless card + Tversity + harmony remote combo. Just last week i added another terrabyte to my PC downstairs which is how I keep all my digital clutter in order by having all storage on my main rig and just having massive JBOD storage. (4Tb now) I keep all the important stuff on several disks anyway for backup purposes.

[ACiD303]

The only problem so far has been the time it’s taking extracting everything I want to keep from the old systems – particularly as I’ve had a habit of copying the entire contents of a hard-drives (to sort through later, you understand) every time I’ve upgraded.

I've still got folders named "backup of 500MB drive", "backup of 4GB drive", etc. which have data which I still haven't used, but can't bear to wipe off 'just in case'. A lot of stuff dates back more than 10 years. I have obviously backed them up to disk, but I hate CDs/DVDs - I have so many cases of them now and I gave up being neat and organised ages ago that finding one is like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack.

Needless to say, I've probably not got the most efficient use of space. In fact, I know there's duplicates lying all over the place too.

I think one day I will just buy a few hard drives, backup absolutely everything, then start completely from scratch.

[Lucio]

Thought about selling my new system to go back to the older one and an XBox 360 but realised I couldn't be arsed

[Taz]

I'm looking to replacing my system with a Macbook Pro at the end of this year. A quad-core system is a bit of an overkill for just using Internet Explorer and Outlook!

[MadduckUK]

a media centre pc has been retired, while a shuttle home server has appeared to do the task alongside my xb360.. so... slight downsizing

netbook to replace 14" laptop that is getting long in the tooth soon too.

[Splash]

Slowly downsizing stuff here too - 2 or 3 years ago I virtualised my fileserver, DC, mailserver and media server. Last year I decided that I really didn't need the domain infrastructure, so I took a final backup of all the virtualised boxes and decommissioned the box that they were running off, so now it's just 2 desktops (one mine, one the missus'), 3 laptops (1 for work, personal laptops for me and the missus) and a couple of USB hard disks for backups. As time goes on I've been replacing the many smaller (160-320Gb) hard disks with 1Tb disks, so I'm making power savings there too (as less disks are spinning). I also went from 2 widescreen monitors to one larger one.

[rainparade]

But will you *really* get rid of the old systems?? I keep saying I will, but they're still here..

I know, I know.

I'm already fighting the urge to keep the old laptop for a while in order to play with the Windows 7 Beta.

It doesn't help that computer gear is always worth a fraction of what it cost, making the 'I might as well hang onto it' temptation even more powerful.

Must be strong...

[HSK]

I currently need everything I use (laptop for word processing, some work and browsing) PC downstairs for more extensive work and gaming. No need for down sizing as of yet, It will probably down size itself within the next 6 months. lol.