The working from home thread: tips and advice

Got one of the stands mentioned upthread. They are really good value for money I'd say.
Look exactly like in the picture and are nice and stable even for a big laptop.

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I like the built-in ball gag.

Steal one from all the empty offices.

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Since using Camo from Monday the members of my team have all upped their webcam game; now I can actually see their faces rather than amorphous blobs!

Does camo only work with iPhones? I'm on Android and changing my set up when the new standing desk arrives at the end of the month

Apparently it's available for other platforms as well - https://reincubate.com/camo/#downloads

I've been using droidcam and have been happy enough to pay for the premium version. I enabled developer mode to allow direct connection via USB to minimise any lag.

assuming all these solutions are off limits if your work computer's fairly locked down? I've not tried but I assume I won't be able to install camo on my machine

My work computer is ridiculously locked down. Can't even run the inbuilt monitor calibration tool.

Probably but you might be able to do your meetings on a personal computer? Which does suck and employers should supply proper equipment but if you were desperate...

https://github.com/showmewebcam/showmewebcam in theory allows a RaspberryPi and camera to be used without installing drivers. I ordered a Raspberry Pi High Quality Camera (https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-high-quality-camera/) to have a go with yesterday.

Show-me webcam allegedly doesn't require any Linux skills. Just connect it all up, write the image to a flash card and plug it in. I haven't tried it yet though.

Morning all WFH worker bees

I've been giving the opportunity to sort out a new work rig at home. I am looking to get dual monitors and my current laptop.

Are there any neat solutions out there? What's everyone else's battle station look like?

Spend properly on your main monitor, it’s an investment for years. Good reading on resolutions here: https://bjango.com/articles/macexternaldisplays/

Your second monitor can be less good as I guess it’s mainly to offload stuff?

Also spend on ergonomics, it’s worth it.

Got a couple of 4k thunderbolt 3 27" monitors and the improved resolution has been a godsend; far less eyestrain

What LED light are people recommending? Not too expensive as for the most part my conf calls are adequately lit from outside but i had to get 2 bedside lamps for an early morning call today but I still looked like Mystic Meg about to do a reading.

Obviously this depends a lot on whether your space allows for it but I'd try to use natural light as much as possible (move your face closer to a window) and / or use "soft" light sources.
If there's a light coming down from the ceiling (like when you're working from your dinner table) you might consider getting a bright / ideally dimmable bulb and put it inside one of these paper lantern spheres. Great light for not much money.

The problem with most of these LED things is that it usually looks like there's a light right in front of you; while it's bright it might not look flattering, definitely not "natural". Weird reflections in the eyes / glasses, etc.
I saw a kickstarter thing that is kind-of a clip-on softbox, that's nice for a portable solution I thought..

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/zumy-pro-studio-quality-light-for-video-meetings#/

My work goals for this year are to have a shower and wash my hair before starting work

Not achieved yet

Desk is against a wall so any brighter light behind me would cast shadows and backlight me in a sort of evil genius way. I'm okay with that sometimes but not always.

I'll try to source some sort of softbox I think

I havent turned camera in for a meeting in over 6 months.

So you're one of them

You could maybe bodge a little "softbox" yourself with some strong card & tracing paper in front of the lamp(s), or look for the little softboxes photographers use for their flashes etc.

Lights in general should be level with your head if possible - and if you have two point them so they're coming 45° from both sides.

Or have one strong light shine at the wall in front of you, reflecting back at you.

ikea FLOALT panel is great for me - brightness and temperature adjustable, really soft light.

i'd ditch dual monitors and get a single ultrawide. I've got a 34" AOC screen and it's great, especially now that i'm learning the snap-to keyboard shortcuts. If my work laptop wasn't so locked down, it'd be even better as you can get quite creative with how you set up your 'zones' for multiple windows.