What is it with blue LEDs?

Silur · Post by **Silur** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 4:47 pm

I'm just curious as to the reason for all computer geeks fascination with blue LEDs. When reading computer related articles it is assumed as a given. I like them too, but I still wonder what it is with them that make the liking practically universal. It can't just be that they used to be very expensive.

Mr Flibble · Post by **Mr Flibble** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 6:50 pm

It's the whole not-a-beige-box thing.

All my case fans glow blue, I have 2 neon blue cold cathodes, blue EL SATA cables and will soon be replacing the power and HDD access LEDs, all nicely packed into a silver aluminium mid-tower case. Why? Because I dislike plain looking computers.

VonDondu · Post by **VonDondu** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 8:59 pm

I prefer silent, inconspicuous computers. I don't like the blue LED look, but obviously, a lot of people do. I tried to sell an old beige computer recently without much luck. But after I spiffed it up with some parts I got for next to nothing at a flea market, it sold quickly for more than I originally asked for it. (I replaced the case, mouse, keyboard, and speakers and put a couple of LED case fans in front and back.) It reminded me of a spiffed-up Honda Civic (after all is said and done, it's still a Honda Civic), but what the heck.

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 9:41 pm

I'm not a geek. I like my computers to have the sleek, classical look of the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 12:20 am

I really dislike case modding, it looks so tacky to me.
Sure people might be tired of the plain/ordinary thingy under their computer desk, but to go from that and start putting various LEDs into the computer, glowing fans, glowing IDE cables and god know what else .... well

Waste of time, space and money in my oppinion - and it isn't even pretty, just tacky .... kitsh possible

.

Silur · Post by **Silur** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 4:15 am

Thing is, even in sleek, classic designs such as all brushed aluminium cases, the one with the blue LED wins out over, for instance, a red one. It doesn't have to be extreme mods to the case, but since you mentioned it, the blue-shining items seem to be sold out more often than others.

Tom2 · Post by **Tom2** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 5:22 am

I agree case modding with see-through panels and all that is pretty bad.

I am however modding my computer a bit at the moment.

I am putting in super quiet fans to replace all the old ones. I am sick and tired of that computer sounding like a jet engine.

Blue leds... I think that they are quite new, no? At least 5 years ago I don't hink there where many around so perhaps they are seen as more high tech. (which in a sense they are).

Silur · Post by **Silur** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 8:29 am

@Tom: White LEDs are even more high-tech, but they haven't taken off in computer cases. I think it has to be something about the colour as well, but I can't figure out what. Perhaps white is too boring, so the technical difficulty in producing white LEDs is insufficient incentive?

Tom2 · Post by **Tom2** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 8:35 am

tks tks silur.

you are not a real geek are you. you just pretend.

White light is just boring - you might as well pug in a small light bulb.

go watch some startrek.

arno_v · Post by **arno_v** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 8:38 am

I just have a normal beige computer, it's boring but I don't really feel like being some new things for it. Maybe when I have new computer I will choose a better looking case.

Silur · Post by **Silur** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 8:40 am

Originally posted by Tom2
go watch some startrek.

Star trek is boring. No blue LEDs

Edit: I do like Farscape though. Can I still be a geek?

arno_v · Post by **arno_v** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 8:42 am

What about red LEDs?

Silur · Post by **Silur** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 8:45 am

@arno_v: Those were the fist ones available - even IBM machines from the 70's had those!

arno_v · Post by **arno_v** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 8:46 am

Well retro is the word my friend

Tom2 · Post by **Tom2** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 8:57 am

Originally posted by Silur
Star trek is boring. No blue LEDs

Edit: I do like Farscape though. Can I still be a geek?

Its true, Startrek is very boring.

Im not sure whether you are a geek - watching Farscape is not enough. what more can you say in defence of you geekieness?

Silur · Post by **Silur** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 9:16 am

Originally posted by Tom2
Its true, Startrek is very boring.

Im not sure whether you are a geek - watching Farscape is not enough. what more can you say in defence of you geekieness?

I have three Palm pilots from various epocs? I have 5 blue LEDs in a ziplock bag on my desk? My wife's stationary computer has liquid cooling and a blue LED. I still have some old ISA bus cards somewhere. My laptop is a G4 Powerbook (Aw chucks! That blew it!!!)

Tom2 · Post by **Tom2** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 9:30 am

yes - the power book gave it away.

I bet you were one of the first to get an ipod.

but if you write me a tic-tac-toe game only in Intel assembler memonics to be run in 16 bit real mode i might change my mind.

Silur · Post by **Silur** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 9:38 am

The Ipod is a beautiful little thing. Goes very well with the Harman Cardon sound sticks

.

Too bad about the assembler program. All I've got to show is a floppy disk driver written in 68HC09 assembler. That and some stupid blinking LED programs on the same platform (no blue ones unfortunately). Will that do?

Tom2 · Post by **Tom2** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 9:50 am

I am impressed.

I don't actually think I am a good judge on these things since I am not all geek myself.

I am half intellectual, half geek and half rock god. Making me a 3/2 person.

I wish I had an Ipod.

Silur · Post by **Silur** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 10:03 am

Originally posted by Tom2
I don't actually think I am a good judge on these things since I am not all geek myself.

I think in general geeks are defined as geeks by those not geeks, so I'd say it's reasonable to say your opinions count higher than those of pure geeks. On the other hand, I really don't want to be a geek, even though both my profession and education tends to give that foregone conclusion.

As for the floppy driver, I do actually have it. It was an assignment for a computer hardware class, and I remember hating every minute of writing it.

I don't actually have an Ipod either, but I think they are very nice. Being half-deaf as I am

, I can settle for something with lesser audio quality, but you being interested in music would probably have use for one.