Hey, it's not quite that bad.bluedad wrote:
You can switch to an LCD monitor, which should have less of a problem with smoke.
You can build a custom, ruggedized case for your PC, which includes filtered air inlets and outlets.
You can even embed your new LCD monitor into the side of the PC case, and protect it inside the filtered air environment. (Place a thick sheet of plexiglass over the LCD area, for impact protection.)
You should also consider getting a backup power system, in addittion to normal surge suppression gear. That way, if someone trips over the cord to your PC in the middle of your Whiter Shade of Pale organ solo, there is no harm done. (Just make sure to properly restore the power at the end of the song, or gracefully shut down your PC before the backup batteries are depleted.)
There are transparent covers available for keyboards (and possibly for optical mice as well) which would protect from smoke and spills.
If you build the rugged case yourself, you can also build some security features into it. You might possibly provide a way to chain it down to something sturdy. You might build it to look as inconspicuous (and possibly even undesirable) as possible. Give it a shape that doesn't tip off everyone that you have your state-of-the-art PC sitting inside the box.
All of this can be had for a fairly reasonable price--especially if you do some of the design and construction work yourself.
take care,
McLilith
