Comments on: Open Thread: Making the Home Office Homier http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/ Rebooting the workforce Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:27:15 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Workspace observation http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-209486 Workspace observation Wed, 31 Oct 2007 09:48:50 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-209486 [...] Web Worker Daily post reminded of an observation that I made about my workspace.  There is one thing that shows if I [...] [...] Web Worker Daily post reminded of an observation that I made about my workspace.  There is one thing that shows if I [...]

]]> By: Mike http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-204604 Mike Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:49:13 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-204604 Inspiration is very important element of my home office (located in the guest bedroom). It comes in many forms that have already been touched upon by other readers such as music, a great view, and working without shoes. I also use inspirational quotes. My wife and I have been taping fortune cookie "inspirations" to our multi-function copier for a long time now. But my favorite is actually a little plaque that simply states: when nothing is certain, everything is possible. Inspiration is very important element of my home office (located in the guest bedroom). It comes in many forms that have already been touched upon by other readers such as music, a great view, and working without shoes. I also use inspirational quotes. My wife and I have been taping fortune cookie “inspirations” to our multi-function copier for a long time now. But my favorite is actually a little plaque that simply states: when nothing is certain, everything is possible.

]]> By: Judi Sohn http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-204131 Judi Sohn Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:09:45 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-204131 @Pedro, me too! I often joke that shoes constrict my brain. I am far more productive without them. @Pedro, me too! I often joke that shoes constrict my brain. I am far more productive without them.

]]> By: Bob Iliff http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-204129 Bob Iliff Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:04:23 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-204129 I listen to Pandora.com on my 1957 Telefunken Princess (stereo console) fed from my personal PC thru an FM transmitter. The dogs are in stereo also. I need a plant. I listen to Pandora.com on my 1957 Telefunken Princess (stereo console) fed from my personal PC thru an FM transmitter. The dogs are in stereo also. I need a plant.

]]> By: Pedro Villalobos http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203957 Pedro Villalobos Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:23:35 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203957 I really enjoy having a nice sound system. But whath really brings me on is to work without shoes. For some reason, i just hate them! I really enjoy having a nice sound system. But whath really brings me on is to work without shoes. For some reason, i just hate them!

]]> By: Darren Meyer http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203855 Darren Meyer Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:41:23 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203855 Oh! The comforts of working from home. I'm actually a dual-site worker, working from a cube some of the time, and from home the rest. My home office has the following advantages: ߧ Club chair. Sometimes it's nice to just sit and think in comfort. ߧ Game systems. During all-nighters, it gives me something therapeutic to do while I wait for compiles, or when I need to get "unstuck". ߧ Mini-fridge. Stocked with ready-to-hand caffeine, juice, and beer (for celebrating!). ߧ Three-monitor display. <em>So</em> much more productive than the dual-head setup in my cube: documentation on the left, code in the center, output/debugging on the right. ߧ Music system. My whole music library available and handy, nice set of speakers, nice set of headphones (for when my partner is home). ߧ Proper lighting. I have a lamp behind my displays, which the cube-nazis won't let me do, but which I find vastly easier on my eyes. I also have a full-spectrum (Ott-light) task lamp, which makes me feel better on gloomy days, and gives me excellent contrast on paper media. ߧ Cat. There's absolutely nothing like coding while a malevolent ball of fur purrs on your lap. ߧ Easy access to the outdoors. In good weather, I can take the notebook onto the deck and enjoy working in the shade of an 80-year-old ash. The cube farm will <em>never</em> top that. Oh! The comforts of working from home. I’m actually a dual-site worker, working from a cube some of the time, and from home the rest. My home office has the following advantages:

ߧ Club chair. Sometimes it’s nice to just sit and think in comfort.

ߧ Game systems. During all-nighters, it gives me something therapeutic to do while I wait for compiles, or when I need to get “unstuck”.

ߧ Mini-fridge. Stocked with ready-to-hand caffeine, juice, and beer (for celebrating!).

ߧ Three-monitor display. So much more productive than the dual-head setup in my cube: documentation on the left, code in the center, output/debugging on the right.

ߧ Music system. My whole music library available and handy, nice set of speakers, nice set of headphones (for when my partner is home).

ߧ Proper lighting. I have a lamp behind my displays, which the cube-nazis won’t let me do, but which I find vastly easier on my eyes. I also have a full-spectrum (Ott-light) task lamp, which makes me feel better on gloomy days, and gives me excellent contrast on paper media.

ߧ Cat. There’s absolutely nothing like coding while a malevolent ball of fur purrs on your lap.

ߧ Easy access to the outdoors. In good weather, I can take the notebook onto the deck and enjoy working in the shade of an 80-year-old ash. The cube farm will never top that.

]]> By: Jon Peltier http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203522 Jon Peltier Wed, 24 Oct 2007 03:47:18 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203522 My home office has these improvements over the cubical at my last "real job": a DOOR a radio a television so if I'm working late I can still root for the home team (go Red Sox!) southern-facing windows a couch a kitchen one floor down no boss My home office has these improvements over the cubical at my last “real job”:

a DOOR
a radio
a television so if I’m working late I can still root for the home team (go Red Sox!)
southern-facing windows
a couch
a kitchen one floor down
no boss

]]> By: Mike http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203471 Mike Wed, 24 Oct 2007 02:05:02 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203471 I just moved into a new apartment. I am about to set up one room as an office, and get to start with a blank slate. So far I just have a desk, a chair, some speakers, and some plants planned. I am sure it will get more complicated... I just moved into a new apartment. I am about to set up one room as an office, and get to start with a blank slate. So far I just have a desk, a chair, some speakers, and some plants planned. I am sure it will get more complicated…

]]> By: Amanda http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203431 Amanda Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:48:31 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203431 I love our little fridge. It is within arms reach when ever I want a yogurt, pudding cup, Diet Hansen's soda. My husband and I got two bright red visitor chairs from Ikea. We always end up in the office when our friends come over. It's nice having chairs for them. I love our little fridge. It is within arms reach when ever I want a yogurt, pudding cup, Diet Hansen’s soda.

My husband and I got two bright red visitor chairs from Ikea. We always end up in the office when our friends come over. It’s nice having chairs for them.

]]> By: Rob http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203390 Rob Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:37:17 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203390 Speakers is a must - I have some older ones that sound pretty good. Also have a couple pictures on my walls and my cockatiel (bird) that I brought into my office in his cage. I also have a dog bed for when one of my dogs comes to visit me. Speakers is a must – I have some older ones that sound pretty good.

Also have a couple pictures on my walls and my cockatiel (bird) that I brought into my office in his cage. I also have a dog bed for when one of my dogs comes to visit me.

]]> By: Jeri Dansky http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203358 Jeri Dansky Tue, 23 Oct 2007 22:48:43 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203358 Colorful walls. Lots of art. Kitty perches to give the cats good places to hang out with me. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24224159@N00/sets/72157601184461493/" rel="nofollow">Pictures here</a>, although I now have a new Mac. Colorful walls. Lots of art. Kitty perches to give the cats good places to hang out with me. Pictures here, although I now have a new Mac.

]]> By: Amie Gillingham http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203323 Amie Gillingham Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:23:19 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203323 While I'm currently working from the dining room (on toddler patrol), our upstairs office has good light, iTunes, an extremely gorgeous easel my husband had custom built for me about 5 years ago, and an obscene amount of art (not surprising given that we run an online artists community). And I recently splurged on a magnetic whiteboard calendar from Pottery Barn that just arrived today. Sweet! While I’m currently working from the dining room (on toddler patrol), our upstairs office has good light, iTunes, an extremely gorgeous easel my husband had custom built for me about 5 years ago, and an obscene amount of art (not surprising given that we run an online artists community). And I recently splurged on a magnetic whiteboard calendar from Pottery Barn that just arrived today. Sweet!

]]> By: Suzanne http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203304 Suzanne Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:47:05 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203304 I had new windows installed in the last year and the one in my office was extended so that it starts at the top of my desk. Then I hung a couple of bird feeders outside and now enjoy the soothing activities of my feathered friends outside while one or two of my chocolate Labs lounge on the cushy carpet or on the recliner. Add the Coffeehouse on Sirius Satellite Radio, some halogen lights, speakerphone, walls covered in books, earthy red wall paint, photos of outdoor adventures smattered around, and three lucky bamboo plants and I'm in home-office heaven! I had new windows installed in the last year and the one in my office was extended so that it starts at the top of my desk. Then I hung a couple of bird feeders outside and now enjoy the soothing activities of my feathered friends outside while one or two of my chocolate Labs lounge on the cushy carpet or on the recliner. Add the Coffeehouse on Sirius Satellite Radio, some halogen lights, speakerphone, walls covered in books, earthy red wall paint, photos of outdoor adventures smattered around, and three lucky bamboo plants and I’m in home-office heaven!

]]> By: Britne http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203287 Britne Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:00:27 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203287 Comfy armchair. Super-bright halogen light. Window. Everything within reach (file cabinet, printer, notepads, reference books, project folders). Fan. As many bright pink office supplies as I could find (I love you Container Store!). Cats. Mug-sized hotplate for keeping the coffee/tea warm. More cats. I think I've got everything I need comfortably squeezed into half the space of an average cubicle. Comfy armchair. Super-bright halogen light. Window. Everything within reach (file cabinet, printer, notepads, reference books, project folders). Fan. As many bright pink office supplies as I could find (I love you Container Store!). Cats. Mug-sized hotplate for keeping the coffee/tea warm. More cats.
I think I’ve got everything I need comfortably squeezed into half the space of an average cubicle.

]]> By: Eliza Amos http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203285 Eliza Amos Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:53:44 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203285 Yes, windows are important, although I once read that Jonathan Franzen plasters paper over his to keep out the distractions. (Me, I don't find birds and flowers that terribly distracting.) I added an armchair because sometimes, the desk is just too darned formal. And I love to have a batch of muffins in the oven while I work; it smells great and I get to fuel up on the results. Yes, windows are important, although I once read that Jonathan Franzen plasters paper over his to keep out the distractions. (Me, I don’t find birds and flowers that terribly distracting.) I added an armchair because sometimes, the desk is just too darned formal. And I love to have a batch of muffins in the oven while I work; it smells great and I get to fuel up on the results.

]]> By: Cathy Moore http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203282 Cathy Moore Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:47:21 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/10/23/open-thread-making-the-home-office-homier/#comment-203282 Definitely good speakers. Also a bright southern exposure with big windows, a cheery yellow painted floor, a 9-foot potted palm, a treadmill, a snoring Great Dane, and a mini-trampoline for working off excess energy while Bollywood blasts from the speakers. Plus very little clutter. Definitely good speakers. Also a bright southern exposure with big windows, a cheery yellow painted floor, a 9-foot potted palm, a treadmill, a snoring Great Dane, and a mini-trampoline for working off excess energy while Bollywood blasts from the speakers. Plus very little clutter.

]]>