OK, I’ve whined about my old stuff often enough here, and not without just cause. But today, my old surge protector saved EVERYTHING IN MY DESK after a thunderstorm hit frighteningly close to my house. That includes my computer, my new screen, my internet modem, my printer and my speakers. I freaked for a moment because nothing worked, but then I realized it was because the protector burnt in their place. So, yeah- thanks, Gods of Technology! (Geez, this is the second close call to my internet access I have this year, the first was the virus that forced me to do a reinstall.)
Oh, and this is the SECOND time lightning threatens my hardware. The first time a bolt ruined my computer’s dial-up access. But that in turn led me to switch to Cable, so I guess it was a good thing in the end.
Now excuse me while I clean the acrid smell of burnt plastic off my living room. >_<
My goodness Wil, you can’t catch a break can you? I’m glad your surge protector was the only thing damaged. When I got my desktop, it was the first thing I thought of getting with it. Hopefully, I’ll never need it, but now I know they really work.
Whoa… that protector sure sounds like a life saver! I myself got a new desktop last year, but didn’t by any surge protection. Every time there’s lightning or even thunder I hurry and switch everything off and unplug the desktop fro the wall… yeah, primitive… I know! xD
But that’s sure handy and thank heavens the rest of your stuff if okay… I know what it feels like to lose valuable hardware! 
Helios: Go buy a protector RIGHT NOW. By the time you hear the thunder it might be too late! Also: don’t smell the smoke from a burnt protector. IT’S TOXIC. I learned the hard way, felt ill for about two days afterwards… -_-
Yeah… I probably should, LOL!