My computer desk is a mess... I'm always loosing USB memory sticks because I don't really have a way to storing them. They tend to migrate everywhere.. multiply... get lost... fall to the floor - get kicked under the desk... repeat... rinse. You get the idea.
I want to make a perm home for these little buggers so:
1) I can easily find them.
2) organize them
3) store them
But I don't want to just throw them in a drawer - because drawers tend to collect other things.
YEARs ago; I designed my own
computer case and
stand out of square tubing:

I've decided I want to mount the USB stick in vertical USB-A connectors to a PCB made at OSHPark. IE have them mount just like they would be in a usb port. It would be attached used a 3DPrinted bracket at a 45degree angle to the front of the computer stand.
Now obviously; I can just mount the connector as is with no electrical connections... but where's the fun in that?
I'm thinking I want to at least connect the grounds of the USB ports to a ground point on the nickel plated stand. I obviously don't want to run power to the +5V line of the connector; but should I consider ESD protection diodes? What about on the D+/D- lines?
I'm specifically looking at TI's app note:
http://www.ti.com/lit/sg/sszb130c/sszb130c.pdfon page 13 as a reference.
Obviously - anything I do is way over kill at this point; but was wondering what you guys thought about ESD protection? Do it? if so; why? if not; other than costs - why not?
Should I put a large-ish resistor from +V to ground to bleed off any charged caps in the devices?