The work environment
It's a bit funny (to me anyway) just how specific my work environment needs are. This topic, of course, came up in a conversation today.. and made me think about just how particular I am.
When I code, I like a big monitor.. so I rarely actually do any coding on my powerbook (unless it's something small and scripty) and will use my desktop with the big monitor for that purpose when working at home. I had a sun box as my desktop machine in my first programming job and having that big, sun monitor forever warped my expectations of a programming desktop. Big monitor, tiny font, lots and lots of xterms. That's one of the reasons I really did not enjoy windows programming during my short Delphi experience.. there is just no easy or logical way to arrange this on a windows box.. not with having to click to focus!
Amusingly enough.. when I do sys-admin type work (which I tend to in the evenings) I can work just fine using my powerbook on my lap.. on the couch.. but yet I cannot seem to program comfortably that way.
Not surprisingly.. we're all creatures of habit. Some of them more odd than others.
Comments
How big is the monitor at home? Must be a lot larger than the 15" PowerBook..
Posted by: david | July 8, 2004 10:35 PM
21".. but it's a crt, so really more like 19.
Posted by: kasia | July 8, 2004 11:01 PM
I'm the same way, for similar reasons. Was your GUI-based teeth-cutting environment on a Sun3/50 too?
5x7 font is your friend. I should try to find an OSX version of that classic and set XCode to use it.
Posted by: fluffy | July 9, 2004 01:27 AM
It's worse if you ever get "used to" using multiple monitors on a single machine. I had 2 19" flats (1600x1200) on a machine 2-3 years ago, and nearly cried when my latest job wouldn't provide the same. I would devote one screen (always the right one) to the always on applications (task manager, outlook, IM x 3, xterm for top, and now RSS reader) while the other one (left) would be for getting things done (visual studio...)
Posted by: Pete | July 9, 2004 10:23 AM
I agree . . . I have a hard time bringing myself to do any coding when not at my desk where I do dual display between the PB 12" and a 19" flat. Doing administrative work or quick hacks on the 12" at home is fine, but if I have to code something I feel like I'm working at 50% productivity. Not sure if that is psychological or because it actually is harder to navigate around the code.
Posted by: Mike Kruckenberg | July 9, 2004 10:35 AM
You could always buy a big magnifying lens for your monitor (like the ones in Brazil)...
Posted by: Matt | July 9, 2004 02:43 PM
I used to love having a large screen. When I was in school all the workstations had nice big screens and I'd fill them up with xterms. Now I just wish the mac had focus follows mouse (without autoraise) because I still find that to be the best way to switch windows.
Now I've mostly adjusted to my 15" powerbook. But I still wish I had a nice big cinema display to use when at my desk.
Posted by: Gregory Blake | July 11, 2004 09:03 AM