Our Bulletproof Computer System

   We operate a computer system a bit differently than usual. We never leave
the computer online, only when we need it connected.  All unwanted email is
deleted unopened and the rest is opened offline.  We always go offline when
opening and running any new programs because some emails and shareware
programs try to connect while their programs are first running.
   We have a Windows XP hard drive image, not Vista or Windows 7, because WXP
runs everything we have and is much smaller than Vista or Windows 7.  We have
to use an old computer that has a parallel printer port because a vinyl sign
cutter requires it.  We have no anti-virus, -spam, -spyware or -keystroke-
snooper so that everything runs fastest.
   Most programs go in with the hard drive image every time, but ones not used
regularly go in only when needed so that the image goes in fastest.
   The only things that change repeatedly and have to be stored onto and
restored from a USB flash drive are our Favorites (web site links), recent,
unanswered emails and this web site.  The image has all the program settings,
preferences and unlock keys.  When new programs are to be added, the last
image is put in, the new program is installed and then a new image is made.
   Email addresses are on a floppy, safe from snoopers. We select by interest
group and then Copy and Paste those addresses to emails.  Cookies, offline
files,history, etc. are deleted before every shutdown.
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                         RECENT CHANGE
   Some web sites and some new software run poorly in Windows XP.  So because
of the size of Windows 7 and thus the added time to install the image, we set
up a system that uses two separate computers. The old desktop has all the
local programs while a new minibox has everything needed to go online.  There
is also a complete backup (full-size) desktop for everything local for quick
replacement should our old computer act up.
   There is a DB25 (printer) A - B switchbox to select either the primary
desktop or the Internet minibox (before powering up).  Cables were made up to
go from the DB25 I/O socket on the switchbox to the monitor (DB15 male),
keyboard (PS2 male) and mouse (USB A male) sockets on the computer.
Cable set to go from the switchbox to the computer.
   Two sets of the cables then go from the appropriate A and B DB25 sockets on
the switchbox to the peripherals.  The cable sets for the peripherals have
DB15 female (monitor), USB female (mouse) and PS2 (keyboard) female ends. Each
computer has its own printer because a new USB printer would not work going
through the switchbox.
   Only 11 wires of the monitor's DB15 standard are used.  With four wires for
the USB and four for the PS2, only 19 of the DB25 pins are used. It doesn't
matter which DB25 pins are used as long as all cable sets match pin for pin.
The wires in each cable were "surface mount" soldered to an experimenter PC
board strip because that was simpler than putting the wires through the holes.
The wires soldered onto the PC board strip.
Two types of DB25 A - B switchboxes.
   The flat switch worked better than the box on the right.  Each computer has
its own speakers.  Only the Internet computer has the DSL connection.