The D.E.S.C. The Disguised Environment Super Computer
Sponsor Proposal
Bill Trammel California Polytechnic State University SLO Mechanical Engineering
Hello! My name is Bill Trammel. I am currently attending California Polytechnic State University, SLO for mechanical engineering and am beginning work on my senior project, the D.E.S.C. In order to complete this project, I need help from your company. In the next few pages I’ll show you my plan, what I have already and what I need. I fully realize that this project depends on your company’s generosity, so I will also show what I want to do to return my appreciation in a small way. The idea for the D.E.S.C. was born over 5 years ago, during my senior year of high school. I had just purchased a Victorian-style executive desk and was sitting in front of it enjoying its aesthetic, when the question entered my head, “What would this desk look like if Q from James Bond had designed it?” I envisioned an entire computer system completely hidden under the surface of the desk that was instantly accessible whenever needed. The idea was so intriguing that I knew I had to build it for my senior project. So here I am, 5 years later, thoroughly excited that I will actually be able to build my dream. And to do that I need your help. The head of the senior project committee agreed to let me do this as my senior project provided I could get everything sponsored by industry. So I hope you enjoy checking out my plan and I look forward to working together with you to see this dream turn into reality. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me by e-mail or phone. E-mail: billtrammel@gmail.com Cell: (805) 712-2137
Thanks!
Bill Trammel
In
its closed configuration, the D.E.S.C. is nearly indistinguishable from a traditional writing desk. It’s elegant and clean, and shows none of the customary eyesores of today’s technology such as wires, screens, ATX boxes and plastic peripherals. Then, when the D.E.S.C. is powered on...
A
24-inch LCD panel rises quietly up, two KEF audiophile-quality speakers fold up, and a high-performance workstation system powers on. A customized wireless mouse and keyboard are stored in the top right drawer which has a built-in charging station. A user-customizable lighting system also powers on to provide ambient and task lighting. What was once a beautiful piece of furniture is now a high-performance work and entertainment command center.
Design Layout
1 2 3
Area 1: High-performance computer
Area 2: Interface/Sync area
Area 3: Peripheral area
Area 1 Overview
System monitoring bay: Monitors memory usage, temperature, and voltage. Backlit by blue LED.
Library: 3 1.5TB remotely accessible My WorldBook II’s. Provides secure access to a massive library of storage from any computer in the world
The Home: Inner view of the computer area. Foregoes standard ATX configuration in favor of more open operating space. Provides greater cooling and more space for larger high-end components
Area 2
The User-Sync Area: Organizes all your data inputs and outputs into one area. Under lip of desk are multiple USB 2.0, one Firewire and one 1/8� headphone jack
The Transformation: Progression of the LCD screen from closed to open configuration.
Auton LCD Display Lift: Fixed to the underside of the desk top, this sleek mechanism lifts the LCD screen via a rack-and-pinion setup.
Area 3
Peripheral/Storage Drawer
The Mystery Space
• Logitech Revolution MX • Logitech diNovo Edge
The Mystery Space: Current ideas are... 1. All-in-one printer slide-out 2. Integrated home automation system 3. Modular storage trays 4. Music production slide-out module including headphone rack and hi-fi audio inputs To be decided...
What I Have Now
The inspiration of it all. Here’s the desk in its rare clean state
And here’s the tools I’ve gathered so far.
What I Need Main Computer System • • • • • • • • • •
Motherboard: CPU: Video Card: Memory: Physics Card: Sound Card: Power Supply: Hard Drive: Optical Drive: Cooling:
nForce 680i SLI Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad-core QX6700 2 x nVidia 8800 GTX SLI 768 MB PCIe 8 GB Crucial Dual-channel DDR2 5300 BFG Tech PhysX 128 MB PCI Creative Fatal1ty X-Fi Platinum Champion Coolermaster RealPower 1000 PRO 2 x Western Digital Raptor X Sony NEC Optiarc CD-RW/DVD-RW Thermaltake V1 CPU Cooler
Subtotal:
$249.99 $968.00 $559.99 x 2 $1429.99 $135.99 $179.99 $349.99 $269.99 x 2 $32.99 $109.99 $5116.91
Peripherals • • • • • • • • •
Keyboard: Mouse: LCD Display: Speakers: External Storage: Headphones: iPod Dock: iPhone Dock: Fan/Temp Monitor:
Logitech diNovo Edge Logitech Revolution Dell 24 in. 2407 WFP 2 x KEF Ci 3-80QT Custom Install 3 x Western Digital MyBook World Edition II AKG 701 Professional Apple MA045G/A Universal Dock Apple iPhone Dock Coolermaster Musketeer 2
Subtotal 2:
$199.99 $99.99 $699.99 $599.99 x 2 $699.99 x 3 $450.00 $42.50 $50.00 $29.99 $4872.41
Desk Body Alterations • Auton LCD Display Lift • Exotic Wood Veneer • Structural Wood • Faux Painting for Speakers • LEDs and wiring • Surface treatments (paint, clear-coat, black felt, leather etc.) • Tools (Items in italics are items I am paying for fully out-of-pocket)
$1500 $80.00 ~$150 ~$200 per speaker $45 ~$100 ~$600
(Items in green are checked-off items)
Subtotal 3:
$2875
Total:
$12,534.34
A
s you can see, what I am attempting to create here is a showcase for today’s latest technology. From the 4.5 terabytes of storage to the audiophile quality sound system, this system should be a jaw-dropper. If somebody can walk up to it and not instantly lust after it, I will consider that I have failed in my goal. Because I am seeking help from your company, I would like to return the favor in some small way. I have come up with three ways to do this. If you think of any more please feel free to let me know. 1. From the moment I start construction I will keep a worklog on all of the major computer modding forums (i.e. HardOCP, bitTech, etc). I will also set up a personal webpage which will chronicle the progress of the project which will contain a section thanking the project’s sponsors and displaying linked logos to each sponsor’s website. In this way web traffic generated by the project could potentially transfer to your company’s website. 2. On the left door in Area 1, I will inlay a maple sponsor plaque which will have all of the project’s sponsors’ logos or names laser etched in it. After the project is completed, I will send a write-up on it into all of the major computer magazines to be written up as a Mod-of-the-Month type article. Two of the main pictures will be the picture of the computer hardware and the picture of the overall open view. Both will have your company’s logo visible to readers. There are of course other news venues which I will likely tap into as well simply to generate web traffic, but computer magazines target the most specific market for your product. 3. Finally, if the finished project meeets your expectations, I would be more than happy to let your company use the D.E.S.C. as a demo piece at trade shows or other similar venues. I feel it could definitely have a high “wow” factor to draw visitors to a company’s booth. If you would like any part of the system to be upgraded to support your latest product, I would be happy to do that as well. Again if you have any other ideas of ways in which the D.E.S.C. could be used, please let me know. Thanks for taking the time to look over my plan. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about anything.
Regards,
Bill Trammel
E-mail: billtrammel@gmail.com Cell: (805)712-2137