Woman Brings Desktop Computer into VTEC First Class

[HSTEd]

Surprised the coach inverters can support it.....

Maybe I should build that compact gaming rig (mini tower with carry handle) after all.

 

[rosschap]

Last year, on my last day in a job, I was carrying all of my belongings home in a cardboard box, including my desk fan. It was a also a very hot day.

I got on to a 395 at St Pancras, bound for Ashford, to find the Air conditioning was not working. I proceeded to plug the fan into the mains socket under the seat and voila, my very own at-seat air conditioning!

Looking back, I did get some odd looks, and probably should have taken notice of the sign that said "laptops and mobiles only".

 

[All Line Rover]

Don't see what's shocking about her use of a desktop computer. She's at a table for one, not bothering any other passengers. What's shocking is taking a photograph (or more?) of her and allowing it to be circulated over the internet, possibly for profit. If I were her I would bring an action for invasion of privacy.

 

[TUC]

Don't see what's shocking about her use of a desktop computer. She's at a table for one, not bothering any other passengers. What's shocking is taking a photograph (or more?) of her and allowing it to be circulated over the internet, possibly for profit. If I were her I would bring an action for invasion of privacy.

There's far too much sensitivity about privacy these days. You're in a public place. You might get your photo taken. Been a fact of life for over 150 years.

 

[Bertie the bus]

Never ceases to amaze me just how much insignificant minutiae of news actually makes its way on to the web....

Depressing isn't it? If Twitter ceased to exist 2/3 of journalists would be out of a job.

 

[thenorthern]

She broke the rule that says for Laptops and Mobile Phone Chargers only.

 

[broadgage]

Surprises me actually that the Mk 4 (?) had a stable enough power supply. Don't the sockets usually cut out in neutral sections? Unless she really did have a UPS!

No, the customer sockets do not cut out in neutral sections.

The AC current is not produced by a simple step down transformer from the overhead traction supply. It is derived from batteries by means of an inverter, the batteries charged indirectly from the traction supply.

 

[jon0844]

Depressing isn't it? If Twitter ceased to exist 2/3 of journalists would be out of a job.

I get your point but would actually like to point out that loads of journalists have gone because of Twitter and social media in general.

The ones that remain can't make money because nobody wants to pay, hence we end up where we are today. Click bait and non-news!

 

[jon0844]

She broke the rule that says for Laptops and Mobile Phone Chargers only.

An iMac always used to be built with laptop components, so it almost complies!

 

[All Line Rover]

There's far too much sensitivity about privacy these days. You're in a public place. You might get your photo taken. Been a fact of life for over 150 years.

Yes. You might get your photo taken. That's fine. But not sold to newspapers and plastered over the internet. An account of profits would at least be some redress.

 

[JB_B]

AIO-PCs have similar current demands to large-laptops. There's no reason not to use one on a train (other than the inconvenience of lugging them about.) Perhaps this was the only device available to her or maybe she needed the larger screen - either way there's nothing particularly surprising about it and I hope the twooter got her permission for the photo.

It's hard to see how anyone could actually be "shocked" by this.

 

[Dougal2345]

She broke the rule that says for Laptops and Mobile Phone Chargers only.

Does that mean you can't plug in a tablet?

 

[Busaholic]

Is that the tape variety or more modern CD variety? I still use a Sony CD Walkman. I like buying CDs and can't be bothered to transfer everything to my computer.

I also like vinyl. Perhaps I should take my portable record player onto a train and plug in my headphones. I'll use it I the quiet coach and claim you can't hear anything as I'm using headphones turned down low. Lol. Those who understand vinyl record players would get that lame joke.

There's a CD version? I must go down to my local Littlewood's and look for that. Incidentally, cassette tapes too are making a comeback: I read somewhere that a topseller at Amazon is a pack of C60 tapes.

 

[thenorthern]

Regarding privacy there are no laws about taking photos in public but there are laws about harassment and libel.

A train isn't classed as public however so the TOC could in theory complain.

There are quite a few pictures on the Internet of people using iMacs on trains so its not really news.

An iMac always used to be built with laptop components, so it almost complies!

Its still a desktop and not a laptop.

Does that mean you can't plug in a tablet?

I suppose yes your right, I was being slightly lighthearted though.

 

[ejstubbs]

Looking at my own computer now the power cable goes down to the right

Power cables on iMacs come out of the centre of the rear panel. Usually the power lead will also be white, not black, unless the owner has substituted it (I'm not 100% sure whether a normal three-way kettle lead will fit an iMac).

 

[ejstubbs]

This is more of a luggable

An iMacs isn't particularly luggable, partly because of the weight but also because of the metal stand which dangles from it when you pick it up.

 

[ejstubbs]

You can get shoulder bags for all-in-ones, even for 27in iMacs like that woman's.

I think that's a 21.5", not a 27" (says he looking at his 21.5" screen as he types).

 

[Wombat]

I just had a look at the list on the National Rail website of things that you can't take on a train. It appears that I'll have to leave my goats and my hang glider at home, which is probably fair enough.

Is there anything in the regulations to stop me bringing a camping stove on board and cooking myself a fried breakfast? I imagine the guard would have something to say but I don't know whether it's actually prohibited.

 

[thenorthern]

I just had a look at the list on the National Rail website of things that you can't take on a train. It appears that I'll have to leave my goats and my hang glider at home, which is probably fair enough.

Is there anything in the regulations to stop me bringing a camping stove on board and cooking myself a fried breakfast? I imagine the guard would have something to say but I don't know whether it's actually prohibited.

The bylaws state that if the railway staff think that your item is likely to be dangerous or likely to damage property then they can refuse you access to trains. I think gas on its own is classed as dangerous but a naked flame is classed as a danger with a potential to damage the train.

 

[edwin_m]

No, the customer sockets do not cut out in neutral sections.

The AC current is not produced by a simple step down transformer from the overhead traction supply. It is derived from batteries by means of an inverter, the batteries charged indirectly from the traction supply.

They certainly cut out on some stock, 350s for example.

 

[cjmillsnun]

Surprised the coach inverters can support it.....

Maybe I should build that compact gaming rig (mini tower with carry handle) after all.

iMacs have surprisingly low power consumption That looks like a 21.5" that would draw less than 1 amp (they have a full power load of 74W)

 

[cjmillsnun]

Power cables on iMacs come out of the centre of the rear panel. Usually the power lead will also be white, not black, unless the owner has substituted it (I'm not 100% sure whether a normal three-way kettle lead will fit an iMac).

It will

 

[jon0844]

Yes. You might get your photo taken. That's fine. But not sold to newspapers and plastered over the internet. An account of profits would at least be some redress.

Papers rarely pay for anything these days. They ask nicely if they can use a photo or video in return for a credit, and when a person gets their 15 minutes of fame they jump at the chance.

Another reason why proper journalism is dying!

 

[jon0844]

It will

Yes, but if you do then surely you'll be ridiculed by your peers and Apple will invalidate your warranty for daring not to buy another official Apple cable with the rounded plug that fits properly.

I have two iMacs BTW; lovely machines - especially my 5K screen one - but I have thus far resisted packing either in my backpack.

 

[Muzer]

No, the customer sockets do not cut out in neutral sections.

The AC current is not produced by a simple step down transformer from the overhead traction supply. It is derived from batteries by means of an inverter, the batteries charged indirectly from the traction supply.

OK, clearly whenever I've travelled on the ECML the batteries must have been pretty shot to pieces. Though I guess I probably only notice in the cases where it doesn't work properly!

 

[northwichcat]

Power cables on iMacs come out of the centre of the rear panel. Usually the power lead will also be white, not black, unless the owner has substituted it (I'm not 100% sure whether a normal three-way kettle lead will fit an iMac).

It was where the connecting cable between the keyboard and iMac in the photo was going that what being debated. I simply pointed out where that the direction a cable leaves my own computer in doesn't correspond with where the other end of the cable is. She is clearly using a non-Apple black keyboard.

 

[lejog]

An iMacs isn't particularly luggable, partly because of the weight but also because of the metal stand which dangles from it when you pick it up.

I think that's a 21.5", not a 27" (says he looking at his 21.5" screen as he types).

There are of course shoulder bags for 21in imacs too. http://www.theflightcasecompany.com/apple-flight-cases/imac-bags/21-5-imac-bags/

And at just under 6kg. they aren't that heavy compared with some top of range laptops nearing 5kg.

 

[jon0844]

There are of course shoulder bags for 21in imacs too. http://www.theflightcasecompany.com/apple-flight-cases/imac-bags/21-5-imac-bags/

And at just under 6kg. they aren't that heavy compared with some top of range laptops nearing 5kg.

Crikey. If they do one for the larger model, I'll have to take one on my next trip to Shoreditch.

Mind you, I'll probably need the Pro version to stand out!

 

[al78]

Don't see what's shocking about her use of a desktop computer. She's at a table for one, not bothering any other passengers. What's shocking is taking a photograph (or more?) of her and allowing it to be circulated over the internet, possibly for profit. If I were her I would bring an action for invasion of privacy.

Because it is a highly unusual item to bring on a train, due to its bulk and weight. Unusual activities do attract attention, it is a fundamental characteristic of human nature.

I highly doubt any action would come to anything. There is no law against taking a photo of someone in a public place. Go and look at YouTube, there are loads of videos containing people who would be unaware they were being filmed. Somehow I don't think the courts are bursting at the seams with invasion of privacy lawsuits. I am unaware any cyclist has been sued for using a helmet cam, for example. There is no need to be melodramatic.

 

[jon0844]

Somehow I don't think the courts are bursting at the seams with invasion of privacy lawsuits.

No, but the court of social media (which seems to have far more power these days) is bursting at the seams!