Might want to try the landscape design forum on this site. I think some of the folks over there are using some of these programs.

Two steps backwards, one step forward. While dealing with the impending death of my own pc's hard drive, I had plenty of time to work on her computer. I opened the case. Cleaned out the dust bunnies much more thoroughly than I had in October. I found the fan - and actually took it out and cleaned it thoroughly (mostly compressed air, and a little damp cloth). I did remove the label and add a drop of WD 40. (While I was at it, I searched for replacement fans in case this didn't work - and bookmarked some - it would be so simple to replace if needed.) Put the pieces back together and started it up. Still noisy. I started organizing her files, deleting duplicates and ridiculous things she didn't even know she had on there. I put everything in logical folders - then copied her 16GB of video (Ipod videos and flip share) onto a 32mb flash drive. Deleted 8gb of that video bc. it's also on her ipod. Then I ran auslogics defrag. Defrag was 100% successful - and she now has about 15GB free on a 40GB drive. Now the noise is less. I hear the fan a little - but you have to stop to listen. Not sure if it just took running a little for the oil to do it's thing. From what folks said earlier, it's unlikely that freeing up space and defragging reduced the noise. So far, so good. (I even think I could have turned it on with the case open - but i didn't have to.) Thanks. Lynn.

There is definitely an advantage to CAD as one can create objects, as opposed to just drawing pictures comprised of lines. Sketchup is the free or low cost CAD program, but it has a high enough learning curve to be discouraging to many. Though there are tutorials online. It might be one of those things that if you grasp some of the basics, it will begin to "flow." I don't know; I've never made it that far. Though it is just drawing, I like using MS Paint for plan and visualization, as it is simple ... good for anyone who understands perspective drawing. A simple base plan, since it is mainly lines, can be drawn on it with any computer, using the line and shape tools. The app has a built-in grid and measuring guide that can be toggled on and off. (The default scale is 1"=10', but it doesn't tell you that.) Compared to pencil and paper, it saves a lot of time if needing to erase, or when copying elements. And it is much cleaner. Since it's just drawing, it is not as precise as cad. For visualization, you can open any landscape photograph in Paint and draw over it, and copy and paste elements within it. However, since that process is not just drawing straight lines, it requires a touchscreen and stylus in order to use the program well.

My scratchpad - bolded measurements are the size of shelf/cubbyhole/drawer starting off at the bottom super rough outline of a cabinet on wheels still sketching. top of cabinet router 18 or 16 Wx22D 10" high - one shelf cubby - with doors External portable @7 or 5 = 6.5HX 5DX3W - these can be turned into a stacked block - using reusable double-sided sticky tape that I used for the external DVDs. External Drive 5 Terrabytes - 1.75Hx7D X 5W -can be on a separate mini shelf below or above External Drives 10 Terrabytes - 7HX6D X 2W - can be next to - placed next to the above mini External Dvd Drive - 3.25H X 5.5Dx 5.75W - this can be placed next to the 10 terabytes drive this would give it an appx 15-17 width depth this can be two small doors. One 12 port USB hub 1" HX9"Dx2.25" W (hub count for this shelf - 2 drives are plugged into the router so not in the hub - 13 cords to 12 port hub - 1 power cord from hub to One 12 outlet Belkin surge protector and 1 cord from hub to the back of pc.) Earbuds can be sneaked into this space as well and included on cord count. 18 or 16 Wx22D X 18H - need to map out the cord count and ethernet cable modem - 2"Hx7.25"Dx7"W thin client - 7"Hx7.5"Dx2"W tower - 16.5"Hx16"DX7"W KVM switch to using one keyboard, mouse, monitor Belkin surge protector 1-inch space 18 or 16 Wx22D X 18H - monitor or just used as a writing desk or storage at a later date. mount swing arm for a monitor, swing-out for keyboard and mouse (this can be on a floating desk as well)or a heavy-duty drop-down door that can be used as a mini desk; then this section would need to be moved further down. 18 or 16 Wx22D X 7H - pen/pencil/junk drawer 1-inch space 18 or 16 Wx22D X 6H - Rollout Scanner Tray Epson v600 Photo Scanner - 5HX 19.5DX11W 1-inch space 18 or 16 Wx22D X 8H - Canon Printer Tray Canon Printer 6" Hx12"dx15"w - wireless 1 Power cord into Belkin surge protector 1-inch space 18 or 16 Wx22Dx12H hanging file drawer wheel casters