October 16, 2018 at 9:32 pm
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Using Tools That Fit
October 17, 2018 at 12:49 am
I do agree with you Andy. Find the tools that make your life easier and make sense to you. I love SQL Prompt, for example, while others on my team are happy enough with Intellisense.
I like being able to experiment with my work-environment. I have two monitors at the moment, one set to portrait and the other to landscape. While the former is not at all recommended by ergonomics specialists on the grounds that the top of the monitor is higher than my line of sight, I find it very useful for document layout (I like to see the whole page on one screen), long lists in Excel and some long scripts in SSMS. It is usually where I keep my Outlook and task list. In other words, when long is the norm, portrait is better.
Tools are only a part of the equation though. The work environment has to be conducive to work too. If your desk is always cluttered, this hinders the task at hand and greatly increases the possibility of distraction. If it is too noisy, then a good pair of ear-muffs may help. Do you get enough movement during the day? I walk to people and ask them a question rather than call them by phone. Can you really work as well listening to music? Is your environment comfortable but not too comfortable? For example, sofas are very comfortable but I want to relax on a sofa, not work.
Finally, you need to review what you have and be open to new ideas. I am coming around to the realisation that glasses are something that will make my life a lot easier. I don't need them but the world out there is sharper when I went for an eye-test.
p.s. Mechanical keyboards are nice to type on but they are noisy. I have a 28-year Apple Extended II keyboard at home and it is nice to use.
October 17, 2018 at 1:36 am
I also spend some time thinking about my dream work station. I bought a curved 34" for productivity and am satisfied with the purchase. I compared the price with two "normal" monitors and a docking station, and it costs about the same.
I like the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard, looks a bit odd and you have to get used to it, now I can't do without.
I just purchased a vertical mouse, I look forward to trying that out.
Next purchase would be a treadmill desk, consisting of a height-adjustable desk (with memory option so you can switch between sitting & standing) and a treadmill.
The alternative would have been the hamster wheel desk 🙂
On the move, I prefer https://www.therooststand.com/ because it's light, compact and height-adjustable, and the Sculpt Mobile Keyboard.
October 17, 2018 at 1:44 am
I agree - Tools are important. Both from a productivity point of view, but also from to insure working is a good experience in general.
At work I currently use triple 24" 1920x1200 monitors (all in landscape), but the setup is not ideal.
At home I exchanged my triple 24" setup for a 34" 21:9 + single 24" setup. The 24" is mounted above the 34". While this is a rather unorthodox configuration, it works well for me - however I still miss a 24" in portrait mode ...
October 17, 2018 at 2:55 am
At work it's a Macbook pro with that odd little bluetooth keyboard and Apple mouse and dual 22" monitors.
I'm not keen on the keyboard and the mouse brings back repetitive strain pains. I find the Mac a triumph of style over substance. There are a lot of frustrations with software on the Mac, particularly the inconsistent key chords that just stress me out when combined with that awful keyboard.
At home I have an ancient Dell tower with original keyboard, dual 24" monitors and a trackball (limited desk space). I used to have a repetitive strain mouse which was great but got frustrated with the lack of desk space. I think I will upgrade one of the monitors so that I have one in portrait mode and I will probably have to upgrade the ancient Dell first. Whatever my next computer it will have to be capable of linking to my digital piano.
October 17, 2018 at 2:58 am
The keyboard is the most important bit of kit. When you need to type fast it's your best friend! Keyboards on laptops are invariably awful. I use a Dell KB1421 keyboard (connects via USB). I have one at home and one at work. Big full sized mechanical keys. Full set of function keys. good distinction between the arrow keys and number pad. Great if you have big hands like me.
I have a writing slope on an electric elevating desk at work. At home I just use a nest of coffee tables on top of a cheap pine desk. It works a treat. I move around a lot when i work from home. It's not so easy in the office.
I like the hamster wheel, but staring at a wooden wall 2 feet away doesn't seem ideal to me. Maybe you could use some perspex windows in it so you get a glimpse of the world passing by.
I'd love a treadmill desk but at nearly 2 thousand dollars that's too much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpNe0TyZfzc
October 17, 2018 at 3:43 am
Since switching to dual 27 inch screens, I don't get migraines anymore. My keyboard is a Microsoft SideWinder. The most important part of it is the programmable keys. Single keystrokes for copy and paste. 🙂 After testing numerous mice, I reverted back to my X7. It fits my hand the best, can do resolution changes and with the extra buttons fits my gaming experience. A proper mouse pad completes the experience.
5ilverFox
Consulting DBA / Developer
South Africa
October 17, 2018 at 6:22 am
To some degree it depends on the kind of work you do. The only work I do away from work is the occasional putting out of a fire. As such portability is primary to me.
My boss got me into that line of thought, he carries a small notebook with virtually nothing installed. He remotes into a well equipped machine to do any offsite work.
...
-- FORTRAN manual for Xerox Computers --
October 17, 2018 at 6:47 am
I think the two most important things are a keyboard that suits YOU, and a big monitor. I use a Dell 34 inch curved monitor, and I like it so much more than dual monitors. I keep the most important thing centered in front of me (can't do that with dual monitors unless you have one centered and one off to the side) and use the side space for reference stuff. I do like a keyboard with 'travel' and a bit of click, but it's not noisy. I can not type as fast or as accurately on a laptop or chiclet style keyboard.
Student of SQL and Golf, Master of Neither
October 17, 2018 at 6:47 am
Andy Warren mentions hardware in his editorial. At work and home, I have a dual monitor setup; for home, I have the Microsoft ergonomic keyboard. For me, as a software developer, software is also a tool. Work provides Microsoft Visual Studio. Personally, I have a Visual Studio Enterprise subscription; it's expensive, but for what it provides, it's worth it. Also at home for my photography, I have the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan; I primarily use Lightroom, but Photoshop is available for advanced editing.
Hardware wise at home, I have the Datacolor Spyder5PRO Calibration System to calibrate my monitors.
I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which flared up pretty bad in 1994 debugging a mouse intensive program at work. I was using the IBM "Rat" mouse (IBM PS/2), a massive clunky mouse that would be lethal if it hit anyone in the head. That's when I switched to using the mouse with my left hand without switching the buttons for left-hand use; I use my right hand to mouse at home. I found that it was more efficient to mouse left handed at work since it freed my right hand to take notes. Plus it is fun to watch coworkers become confounded when trying to use the setup at work; a lefty at that employer that used IBM PS/2 computers was totally flummoxed since she mouses right-handed.
October 17, 2018 at 6:52 am
I used to have an old IBM Selectric keyboard...I loved typing on that thing, my hands must have bounced 6 inches off the keyboard with every touch. I can't say it made me more productive but it sure made me *sound* productive. 😀
October 17, 2018 at 6:53 am
BobAtDBS - Wednesday, October 17, 2018 6:47 AM... I can not type as fast or as accurately on a laptop or chiclet style keyboard.
How many people here are old enough to remember the dustup over the chiclet stype keyboard on the IBM PC Jr? So many people complained that IBM replaced them for free.
Now they're becoming the 'standard' in many offices. How standards change.
...
-- FORTRAN manual for Xerox Computers --
October 17, 2018 at 7:29 am
Anyone else having problems with the "key switch sampler" link in the article? For me, it first takes me to a redirect notice page, which doesn't redirect, then when I click the link, I get a 404 Page Not Found error. I'm not familiar with those keyboards.
I can't decide if the most useful part of my setup is the standing desk and high chair that I have at my work office, or the fact that about 20 years ago I retrained myself to touch type to the Dvorak keyboard layout, which I feel has greatly increased my typing efficiency and comfort. I did that because I was concerned about repetitive stress, and at the time thought I might be starting to feel it, but since then I haven't had any problems so far. You can purchase Dvorak keyboards, and I used to use one, but these days I just remap the keys in the OS (Windows) and touch type. It's also good security against people using my computer! 😉
October 17, 2018 at 7:41 am
I've got pretty much no control over my office setup, although I can't complain about what I've got. A couple 22" 16x9 monitors plus I keep my laptop open in the docking station so I can use it as a 3rd display. If I felt the need for a standing desk (never tried it) I could get set up for it.
I was able to get a better mouse than the cheap one that was initially provided, they had an older Microsoft optical mouse they gave me. The keyboard, well, I'd love to get a nice mechanical keyboard, but they don't come with one of the features that's required at my work (a card reader.)
My home office I've got a 24" monitor that I connect to my laptop, a Microsoft mouse again (this one has the side back / forward buttons,) and my old IBM Model M (if you like mechanical keyboards, you need to try one of these brutes) connected to a PS/2 to USB adapter. Again, I keep the laptop screen open and it gives me dual displays on my work from home days.
I don't do a lot of coding, I'm more a "production" DBA than a "development" DBA, so while something like SQL Prompt or a Visual Studio subscription would be nice, they're not need to haves. I do agree, though, with the other posters. For IT professionals, software *IS* a tool.
October 17, 2018 at 7:44 am
jay-h - Wednesday, October 17, 2018 6:53 AMBobAtDBS - Wednesday, October 17, 2018 6:47 AM... I can not type as fast or as accurately on a laptop or chiclet style keyboard.How many people here are old enough to remember the dustup over the chiclet stype keyboard on the IBM PC Jr? So many people complained that IBM replaced them for free.
Now they're becoming the 'standard' in many offices. How standards change.
Me, I remember. Although I don't recall the free replacements.
I will say, if I were handed a "chiclet" style keyboard, my response would be "give me a real keyboard or permission to bring in my own keyboard." My work laptop has the "chiclet" style keys and I really, really don't like using it.
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