A device 15, 2 to 6 and 10 to 14 for controlling appliance functions and for communicating with a user need not stay switched on during the entire operating time. In one embodiment, the system may include a volume server, a first and a second host computer system, and a plurality of physical block devices. When the storage media supporting device is attached to the information processing apparatus, the storage media housed in the storage media supporting device is electrically connected to the information processing apparatus. The volume of the components is subtracted from the overall system volume to calculate the optimal accumulator volume. There is a carbon first load bearing member positioned between the second and third members such that, in use, the load bearing member provides a load bearing surface in engagement with the surface of the second member.