The working from home thread: tips and advice

What’s the audio solution to hybrid home/office meetings when you are in the he office sat next to someone in the same meeting and everything is echoing and delayed. Noise cancelling headphones?

Headset with a better directional mic

Cheap way is just to move to somewhere else in the office when you’re on the same call.

If you have a headset with a rotating mic, then rotating it so the mic is on the other side of your face pointing away.

Otherwise getting people to mute when they're not talking helps. My Jabras have a little remote control puck(?) that's handy for doing this quickly...although you've got to remember not to accidentally hit end call instead by mistake just before you're about to present.

This might be of use, although a lot of it has been covered on here already

https://www.wired.com/story/work-from-home-home-office-gear-guide/

Not a bad list but there are two problems:

1. It's for the US market and a lot of the things listed aren't available in the UK, or if they are they're wildly higher in price and no warranty coverage.
   
2. It's such a huge brain dump of options it does nothing to help someone make choices... it's overwhelming.
   

I'm going to spend some money on upgrading my office set up:

1. laptop - last time I asked the recommendation was a ThinkPad X1, still the case?
   
2. screens - I think I might copy that wired article and get a 32" wide and a 27" portrait - any recommendations? No gaming for me if that matters
   
3. monitor arms
   
4. webcam - Preferably would work with a clients laptop without messing with software, recommendations?
   
   

Anything I'm missing? and advice appreciated!

I’m not sure about laptops but I got a Lenovo ThinkCentre M70s desktop in May last year and it’s been fantastic.

I’ve got two Lenovo screens too, three are no doubt better options out there but they do the job.

Has anyone got a reclined/reclinable home working setup? I've got chronic fatigue, probably due to COVID; varies in intensity, and am definitely mobile, but I cannot sit upright all day.

Not actually working at the moment (so it'd be my own money) but I'm trying to ramp up programming etc as a kind of ongoing test, and I'm doing my back in lying on the sofa, and my big monitor isn't getting used.

I've seen stuff like this:

But am really thinking of something more conventional that can be used with a desk, but is able to lean back and with head and optional leg support...maybe with monitor on an arm off the wall.

Edit: my existing office chair has a low back and no way to add headrest.

Sorry to hear about the long covid issues!

Slightly off topic but have you been to a physio to check your back? Just had mine checked and it was stiff as a plank. Just an hours deep massage did wonders.

Appreciate this might not be the answer you’re looking for but it made a surprisingly big difference to my tired back

Our company has gone process mad since Covid and WFH. Just had a dressing down for fixing a client production issue that had I gone through the new process wouldn't have been addressed until at least next week, costing us more to fix the issue then the 10 minutes it took me.

Can't do any independent thinking all has to be agreed in advance via our progammes team, still waiting for them to agree to tasks I request in August.

Sounds lovely. Accept or move on I guess?

Anyone on here interested in humanscale monitor arms? I somehow ended up with 2 extra after buying from reyooz - would be good to get a few quid back. No Vesa mounts though.

How do they mount then? Or do you mean you have to buy the VESA mounts separately? Could be interested, anyway

I bought a vesa mount separately for the one i’m using, but for some reason bought three for £72 plus postage…

Would be happy to get £20 for one (and have 2 available)?

Cheers.

TBH I know I should be doing a proper daily stretch/light yoga to start with, but keep neglecting it. Might get massage/physio of it gets worse though.

Anyone used a portable monitor like an Asus MB166C along with a laptop?

Looks pretty good for ~£200. Just for coding/slack/email/web, not design or potatochop work.

Tempted by getting one for working somewhere else one day a week for a bit of variation and not having to rely on getting a separate monitor at some co-working spaces.

Could also make it easier when I have to share my screen on a call, or record a video, as my single 4K monitor makes it tricky and setting up PiP as a second screen is a bit of a faff.

I've something similar for client visits.

They're ok. Not that adjustable and a bit clunky to get into a nice position if you're working on the laptop keyboard but definitely better than nothing.

Well, ordered one as I'd like to give it a try this week, should get to me before Thursday.

Did think about an iPad, I've lusted after one for a while, but they're way more spendy and a ~10" screen would be too small I think (despite it being far better resolution than 1920x1080).

Ideally I'll go to a local co-working space each Thursday before I head off to play 5-a-side, and that'll give Mrs GB a bit of space to herself.

Laptop keyboards are ok, I don't mind where it is positioned as I can touch type accurately. I'd love to be able to take my Filco Majestouch 2 keyboard with me too but that alone weighs more than the laptop and the portable monitor combined and is getting into deep kitchen sink territory.

should get to me before Thursday

Ordered this evening at 7.35pm and just got this email:

"
Your Scan Computers parcel will be ready for collection
 
TOMORROW
 
from your selected DPD Pickup Shop
"

Had only paid for normal DPD delivery at ~£4 and not the silly £10+ next day delivery...

(Expect it won't appear until Tuesday though...)

The keyboard issue is more that it limits where the screens are as it needs to be comfortable for typing.

I've got one of these stands which is pretty useful
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Folding-Universal-Compatible-smartphone-Readers-Black/dp/B08B822G57

I ordered a pair of monitors from OCUK at 9pm on a Friday last month. They were shipped Sat and DPD showed up with them first thing Sunday morning. Got free shipping on account of my OCUK forum activity, but didn't expect that to be anything other than basic service.

Even more impressive if they really are getting such late orders shipped the same evening tho'.

Scan do ship till 8pm so that's definitely possible but you do normally have to pay for next day.

A bit random but I have various cables on my desk that need plugging and unplugging and at times they drop behind my desk and I have to fish them out.

Any suggestions for a neat way to stop them dropping behind whilst still retaining a decent amount of play?

Ask someone nicely to 3D print something like this? https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1868445

velcro strap them to other cables?