The working from home thread: tips and advice

we've glued corks onto the pointy corners. not exactly aesthetic, but effective.

bit of a dredge, but you could get a stock of a few of these?

small but better speakers.

Late reply, but I have these saved in my amazon wishlist which I'm sure were recommended from here or a reddit thread

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XGC7NTX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_kfpPFbY6GR0DH?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

As they're front ported they should be OK to go close to the wall.

Probably already seen here but:

https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/working-at-home

It is Friday after all...

Check out Edifier, I have the 1700BT and they are great speakers for the money

I’ve been recommended these before, and though they look good, not much space left for them on my desk! Need something shallow/lower profile.

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These are a fair bit smaller and well reviewed if you don't mind the hassle of how to order them
https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/bose-companion-2-series-iii-multimedia-speaker-system-black-ps6624-ps62-with-fee-free-card-delivered-at-amazon-germany-3569106?

Right, project WFH office is creeping along. It's not huge, ~2m x 2.5m, but I can't grumble given the spaces some people have to work in. It was my daughter's bedroom until it got too small for her and we moved her into the spare bedroom.

I've WFH 2 days a week for more than 6 years now but it's been full time since March and I can't see myself going back. I'll also probably look to change jobs next year when MiniGB finishes primary school as she'll have a lot more freedom and I'll have less involvement than I do with her current school.

Have got 3 x Ikea Flysta along the wall behind me for storage, plus a 2x2 Ikea Kallax with shredder and printer on top. Trusty Ikea Bekant 160x80cm desk of 10+ years and some random huge bookcase in the corner.

Cyber Monday I'll look for a 43" 4K monitor so I can move from the existing dual 23" 1920x1080 monitors. Twice the screen real estate, roughly same pixel pitch, and I should get ~£100 back on the current monitors.

I'll also swap the current desk for a Flexispot EC1 sit/stand desk with 140x70 worktop. Don't need 160x80 and I'd like to try sit/stand. Mrs GB also needs to use the room when she's working a full day.

Will also sort out the cabling under the desk and screw some 4-way extension blocks to the underside (white = normal power, black = UPS). UPS was found for free and is useful for keeping my NAS and the ESXi server going if there's a blip in the power (also need to put the monitor and network switch on it so I can connect in to shutdown the NAS/server if the power is out for a prolonged period).

Also need a cheapish laptop for me so I can get all of my personal stuff off my work laptop. Spent too many years just using my work laptop for everything.

A nice anglepoise would be good too. Can't decide between a stand or a clamp version.

Mrs GB got a Dynamic Sitall sit/stand stool and I'll give that a try rather than the tired old Ikea office chair I've had for years. If it's good I'll get one for myself. Should work well with the Flexispot sit/stand desk and hopefully I'll learn not to slouch.

Oh, and if I got rid of the ugly huge bookshelves and moved things around a bit then I'd have space for a Wattbike Atom in the corner.

Little chance of getting that past Mrs GB, but if I'm going to WFH permanently it may become a necessity.

Great price, though now stock available late December without the code.
Was maybe thinking of the Creative Pebble 3, though might be disappointed with the sound.

Might have a look around for the Bose Companions, didn't want to spend too much. The Audioengine A2s seem to be the Youtuber choice, but a bit more than I'm willing to pay.

Behind my office chair sits a Wattbike Atom in front of a full wall of Billy bookcases. My room was conveniently exactly the right width for 4 double bookcases with doors.

Also discovered that Computer Exchange delivery for cheap, and have some second hand bluetooth headsets for really good prices. And come with a 24 month warranty.

For example, Plantronics headsets - https://uk.webuy.com/search?stext=plantronics

Jabra headsets - https://uk.webuy.com/search?stext=jabra

"Also, if you live with a partner/family, try to set clear boundaries."

The ;ack of boundaries almost drove me to a breakdown at times if I'm being honest. Bit of self reflection and lockdown was nice in terms of family time and randomly taking the bike out on a weekday lunchtime, but in terms of trying to do my job I realise now as it went on I was cracking up. Not good.

Round 2 imminent!

I have a hp laptop and a separate monitor. I have to have the laptop open to have the screen on the monitor. Is there anyway to close the laptop and still be able to view on the monitor

Is it because the laptop tries to sleep/hibernate/shut down when the lid is closed?

If so (and Windows) then look at the "Power Options" section of the control panel.

I have "When I close the lid" set to "Do nothing" for both "On battery" and "Plugged in".

(I have my Windows 10 Lenovo laptop attached to two monitors and the lid is closed all the time.)

Flexispot EC1 being ordered tonight hopefully.

I went for the EQ4 because of it going lower than the standard 71cm and also the memory presets.
15% off on the EC1 and worktop is a good deal though!

Did you buy direct?

Yes I did, in their Halloween discount sale. I got a 140x70 desktop as well. Got delivered within 3/4 days.

Thanks, Deutsche.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/nov/11/staff-who-work-from-home-after-pandemic-should-pay-more-tax

.

The money could be used to fund subsidies for lower-paid workers who are not able to carry out their jobs from home.

Yeah. Or they could just pay them a living wage from the outset.

It boggles my mind that companies are about to inflict the largest cock-punch into the commercial real estate market by drastically shrinking their office space (my company already closed 40 satellite offices worldwide) to save huge money.

But it's WFH employees have to take a salary hit? Instead of raising salaries with the savings?

It's classic 'none for you, two for me' fuckery.

Or we could just put the additional rate tax back to 50%