What kind of workspace do you have? (Tables, Chairs, Hardware, etc...)

[roosevelt]

Hi,

 

Despite going for a walk, spending my time at the gym or spending time on a special reading couch, I spend most of my time working on the computer. Whether I am learning something, watching something, programming or doing whatever, I spend a great deal of time on a daily basis at a desk. My workspace was not ergonomic per se... so I started to develop all kinds of discomfort and actually was pretty close to develop something like the carpel syndrome. But gladly that was not the case, some ice and therapy has been working wonders.

 

Chances are many of you also spend a great deal of your time at a desk and odds are you are probably spending a lot of time typing as well. So, I am just curious... how do you ensure that you remain productive at a desk for as long as you can without harming your own body. What kind of table do you use, do you take breaks, if so, how often... or is there any special type of workspace that are designed for us heavy desk users? :P

 

A photo or a video would be awesome!

[Marshall Veteran]

This thread could be of interest to you. Some are setup for comfort and some for looks.

[+Majesticmerc MVC]

At work

 

All desks in the office are corner style desks, very similar to this:

 

I find this to be quite nice for my arms, and also suits the way I use my multiple monitors quite well.

 

I have two 22" 16:10 monitors, both of which point at me (so not flat side by side, one is angled). The left monitor is straight in front of me, and usually has my code on it, and the other on the right is the one I have to turn my head to look at. I generally have documentation and my web browser and stuff on that one.

 

I have a Logitech Wave ergonomic keyboard, which does seem to fit my hand positions very nicely, although it's due for replacement soon on a count of it's age. My mouse is a generic Dell one, which isn't ergonomic or anything, but does the job.

 

My chair is a fairly basic, but quite comfortable swivel chair with armrests and adjustable lumbar support. Not the best chair that ever existed, but does the job. I also have a foot stand like this one that helps me to sit up straight and prevent me slouching.

 

Overall, I rarely come home compaining of RSI or bad joints or anything, so my setup is working :).

 

At home

 

At home, I have an Ikea Expedit, which I quite like because it's high and fairly basic. Lots of space underneath. My chair is a new Ikea Markus, which is a great little chair, if prone to "Ikea build quality". Really can't complain for the price though. Very comfortable over long periods and stable too.

 

I have two 1080p monitors (one 24", one 23"), basically with the same setup as my work setup.

 

I have a CM Storm tenkeyless mechanical keyboard for typing (review here), and a separate number pad which I keep on the left. Having the numpad on the left is supposed to be better for your shoulders, as it allows you to keep you mouse closer to your centre. Whether or not it has helped, I don't know, but it certainly didn't make anything worse. Mouse-wise, I have a Logitech G9x, which is primarily a gaming mouse, but also functions as my regular mouse. I also have a plain wrist rest.

[roosevelt]

Marshall, thanks for the link. Those workspaces are truly inspiring. +Majesticmerc I love the details of your post. That is exactly what I was after... I wanted to know exactly what people are using. I discovered that when I have my chair tilted backwards, it works wonders for my back and neck. I used to think that working on the computer with my head tilted backwards would make me fall asleep or lazy but it actually cranked up my productivity even more. I can work longer hours without any fatigue on my eyes or strain in finger/neck, etc..

[+Majesticmerc MVC]

Marshall, thanks for the link. Those workspaces are truly inspiring. +Majesticmerc I love the details of your post. That is exactly what I was after... I wanted to know exactly what people are using. I discovered that when I have my chair tilted backwards, it works wonders for my back and neck. I used to think that working on the computer with my head tilted backwards would make me fall asleep or lazy but it actually cranked up my productivity even more. I can work longer hours without any fatigue on my eyes or strain in finger/neck, etc..

Glad I could be of help :)

With regard to leaning back, be careful that you don't over-do it. I find that extended sessions leaning back can cause me pain in my upper back after a while. Make sure that you adjust yourself if you feel your back starting to ache.

I forgot to add in my previous post:

For staying productive, I tend to listen to music. Generally I'm an indie-rock kind of guy, but I find that kind of music to be quite distracting. It makes me less productive because I'm listening to the music, rather than paying maximum attention to the job at hand. So at work, I actually tend to listen to electronic chillout. The lack of lyrics and the slower beats tend to fade into the background, meaning that the office noise is drowned out, but I'm not distracted by the music either. I do occasionally listen to proper classical music as well.

I try to get up every now and then and go for a walk, even if it is just to the lounge area or the toilet. This for me is especially important if I'm trying to solve a particularly hard problem, as I find the change in scenery (e.g. sitting in the lounge area for a bit) can clear my mind and let me think more freely than staring at my code, or getting distracted on the internet.

I also try to keep a glass of water around at all times. Being dehydrated can significantly impair brain function, and soft drinks (especially sugary ones) don't re-hydrate very well. I have a pint glass of water and sugar-free orange cordial that I keep topped up most of the day. Sipping as often as I like. I do try to avoid drinking too much though, as too much water makes me need to pee a lot, and then my concentration is really gone :p.

I try to keep a bottle of cola (or something with caffeine in it) nearby for if I feel tired. I'm not a coffee/tea drinker, so I use Coke/Pepsi as a caffeine delivery system. Some people in my office have also been known to keep a cache of caffeine pills in their desk drawer as well, although personally I'm not a fan of them. I also keep some aspirin (or similar) in my desk drawer in case I feel a headache coming on. Thinking too hard can be painful :p.

I also keep a notepad and pencil on my desk at all times. Sometimes drawing stuff (diagrams mostly) can help my train of thought, so it's always in my best interest to keep one nearby. Most of my notepads (I go through about one every 4-6 months) are complete junk, as they're just scattered patterns of thoughts that while useful at the time, aren't useful to anyone else.

I don't know how much of that will be useful to you, this is mostly just a list of things that I do so some of the things listed might not work for you. :)

[Rohdekill]

Couch, laptop, cellphone.  That's my workstation.

[cork1958]

Don't spend nearly as much time as I used to at a computer, but I have 3 regular computer desks and a couple of fold out tables that I use.

 

All desktops/tables have a nice, soft wrist pad, that does wonders.

[cooky560 Veteran]

Large wooden desk with 2 screens and gaps either side for my floor standing speakers. Under the desk is a runner for keyboard and mouse, and a shelf underneath for my tower, and blank cds, printer paper etc

[tosh5]

An ancient computer, A coffee mug, mobile, trash bin, ancient desk, a vase with 3 days old flowers. :/ And angry boss here and there :angry:

[Gerowen]

The desk itself is L shaped and it's in a corner of my bedroom.  I re-arranged a little to open up floor space so me and my wife can get around easier.  There's a lot of things on it that I use every day.  A computer, CB radio, police scanner, spare monitor for working on computers, land-line telephone, overhead flexible lamp, UPS underneath that runs the CB radio and computer, (if power goes out, gives me time to shut down computer gracefully, and will run radio for 3 hours for emergency communication) flat area for working, and various tools such as soldering irons, voltmeters, etc.  I'm a computer guy, but I'm learning more and more about CB/HAM radios, and lately I've had more and more people getting me to work on or help them set up CB radios.  Got a guy coming by tomorrow to buy one that was given to me as junk.  I fixed it up, re-wired a hand mic for the newer 4 pin mic plug and he's giving me a few bucks for it, and I'm gonna show him how to install his antenna so that the coaxial cable doesn't get damaged.  That's why my work area on the right is mostly CB related items like a soldering gun and a drawer full of wire and wire cutters, voltmeter, etc.  I'm gonna go post updated photos to the "Show us your Battle station" thread if you're curious.