The working from home thread: tips and advice

This advert came on the TV while watching the baseball last night, made me laugh - and think of the discussions on here.

https://youtu.be/xKTKhx74NM4?feature=shared

Infinite recline.

I don't think they know what that word means.

Also, love that the recommended video after that is titled 'X-Chair Review - Don't buy it'

Is a Satechi USB C Hub worth the extra £40 vs a £17 Anker one?

I see you problem - you have your chair on the wrong side of the table.

Try setting up your work area with your chair in front of the laptop (facing it) and you should find you suffer less neck and back pain.

I've been using an Anker one for years - what's special about the Satechi thing?

I don't know hence why I'm asking, I just need a usb c hub that can handle power, hdmi and 3x USB through it so nothing fancy

Well, my Anker is just a USB-A repeater thing, so if this other hub does other things - there's your cost differential answer.

I've never had an issue with an Anker one.

Main thing to check is what the HDMI will support, some cheaper ones limit it to 4k@30Hz which may or may not be an issue for you.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/oct/16/standing-desks-may-be-bad-for-your-health-study-suggests

I wonder how much selection bias is in there with standing desks.

e.g. how many people with serious health issues just get a standing desk as it's the easiest choice (especially if the employer is paying for it) rather than making some proper life changes (diet, exercise, etc). Much like you see people thinking that switching to Diet Coke, Slimline Tonic or wearing Fit-Flops is all they need to do to shed 25kg(*).

* I'm one to talk. I'm 30kg heavier than when my daughter was born.

Don't be too hard on yourself. Baby weight is hard to shift.

I thought the expectation was more that it's better for posture, your back, etc rather than any cv benefits.

Started full time WFH last week in new role so had to get the study up to at least functioning stage. Will redecorate at a later date although that might be expedited by the fact we have all of two single plugs in this room, plus I need to route ethernet so the desks will be coming back out at some point and carpet ripped up, might as well put down new flooring at that point, and want to paint before that happens... Sounds like I have a project for the Christmas break.

Massive Desk™ is a semi-success, might trim it down 10mm as it feels a touch high and it does sag about 10mm despite me doing Sagulator, so will try and get a steel angle for the underside. Really don't want to resort to another leg in the middle if possible. It's already significantly nicer to work at than my old office desks ever were, plus I don't have to listen to Red Hot Chilli Peppers for the 15th time in a day.

Sorting through all the IT and bike shit is a work in progress.

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If you were going to buy a decent bang for buck, staring at words all day, work monitor what would you be considering?

I have a couple of Dell Ultrasharp monitors and they seem fine but having nothing to compare with I've no real idea.

My partner wants another monitor hence the super vague question. I guess something around 24" since if it works for me I don't see why she would go smaller or bigger. Same desk.

I was told when I had DVT not to stand but I don't use my sit/stand desk to stand all day, I use it now and then when I'm sick of sitting all day or to encourage movement for when I'm on a longer call or similar. It's the opposite of what this study seems to be suggesting, which is people just standing all day because they now can.

That study sounds like absolute rubbish. Who stands all day if they don't have to?

The study is discussing people who spend at least 2hrs standing still. I'd bet the people standing that long are mostly security guards, cooks or shop staff. It's not at all obvious that this applies to sit/stand desks.

I notice if I spend too long standing at my desk - except on a video call - I just end up leaning against it. And then I sit down again for a bit.

People with bikes on trains... :)

2nd hand LG 5k, or 4k if 24” is enough. Once you use a high res monitor there’s no going back

https://www.lg.com/uk/monitors/uhd-4k-5k/27md5kl-b/

Once you use a high res monitor there’s no going back

Don't get a high res then. I don't have one and don't miss it. Wouldn't want to tie myself into needing something.

Ultrasharps seem decent, buy another one? I got 2x27" refurbished on eBay for £200, old models so none of your USB Cs but wide gamut if you're into that sort of thing. For text I think there's something to do with pixel order that makes a difference. Just get on RTings and use the table to find some models that fit the bill and then buy the UK equivalent. Or get a Benq.

What a nonsense argument.

Still using a phone with a 72dpi screen?

Will I be able to actually see anything on that? Each icon the size of a single pixel?

How would this compare with my Dell Ultrasharps? I am more interested in my eyes being comfortable than "ooh I can see the lines on her face" when watching pornhub.

Will I be able to actually see anything on that? Each icon the size of a single pixel?

You use the display scaling settings to make things appear 'normal' size. Icons, text and everything else on the screen end up being made of more pixels than previously, therefore higher res.

Unfortunately pornhub will still be limited by the resolution of the source.

Ah, yes, I'm thinking back to the funny old days when you'd get a new monitor and everything would keep getting smaller :D

I've still not got any glasses so all my shit is set to Old Man Zoom

2560x1440, 125% scale on this one.

i have a 34 inch monitor and it's great if you are a person who often needs to refer to multiple documents all at once - 3440 x 1440