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Comfy Programming Setups

Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:37 am
by Benjamin
Fellow programmers...

As many of us spend hours and hours sitting in front of a monitor with our hands on a keyboard, we try to become as comfortable as we can. I am just wondering what others have found to be the most comfortable. For example, what type of chair/desk/keyboard and even mouse do you find the most comfortable. Do you prefer CRT or Plasma? Do you sit indian style or with both feet on the ground?

Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 3:10 am
by Maugrim_The_Reaper
I know MS may be evil but I use their wireless Natural keyboard and mouse. It rocks compared to a non-curved keyboard where I need to keep elbows and arms locked in a parallel position I find uncomfortable and tiring more often than not.

I currently use a CRT monitor with refresh rate set as high as possible. Haven't tried a plasma or other alternative since they're expensive in my part of the world and I sometimes use my large monitor for entertainment. Current LCD's etc. are not HD ready in any case so it wouldn't be a good move for future proofing my system.

Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 4:57 am
by mickd
Right now i'm using two monitors simultaneously (dual monitoring) ones a 19" CRT flatron and ones a 19" LCD. Using a wired Microsoft keyboard and mouse and some office style fake leather chair that i brought on special. Basically i keep moving around every 30 minutes or so, which probably demonstrates disconfort.

Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 5:56 am
by shiznatix
I slouch in my chair as much as possible. At home I get as close to laying down as possible without having trouble reaching my keyboard. I also bought those awesome gel pads for your wrists, 1 for the keyboard and 1 for the mouse. They really rock.

I do notice though that once I start to get 'in the zone' my face can be inches from the monitor and my wrists not even touching the desk.

Really though, a nice chair and these gel pads really make the difference.

Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 6:06 am
by Benjamin
Wouldn't it be nice to have a programming center free of distractions which allowed you to lay down and be comfortable + be able to focus on what your doing and write lots of code? Recently I have questioned whether sitting in a chair is even the best approach to writing code. I might be off the wall here. It's just an Idea.

Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 6:08 am
by Weirdan
Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster 17" TFT
Keyboard: EZ-7000 (best multimedia keyboard I ever seen)
Mouse: Samsung

Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 6:42 am
by Chris Corbyn
I like to make sure I have a chair that can swivel and rock a bit if I'm sitting for a long time.

Desk needs to be big enough that the monitor is approx 18 inches from my eyes too. Apart from that, providing my arms are at the right position and my knees can be bent at 90 degrees whilst touching the floor I'm happy :)

Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 7:47 am
by feyd
Let's see..

Chair: Auron-like (1/8th the price) executive style, swivel and tilt.
Desk: 11ft × 4ft (~3.3m &#215 ~1.3m) wood top, metal legs and support
Keyboard: Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 v1.0
Mouse: Logictech MX1000 Laser mouse (and gel pad)
Monitor: 2 × 24" LCD displays (recommended by Burrito, thank you)


One of these days I'll actually finish my build diary..

Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 8:31 pm
by Bill H
So, how many people use the mouse with your left hand?

Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:57 am
by matthijs
A big second-hand CRT (30$) which will definately make me blind if I use it a few more years, a worn out carpet and an old desk chair with holes in them. Because of the (sun)light in the room I often must have the curtains closed. But, my office is not yet in a basement, so I won't complain :wink: Saving for an Apple so no money for trivial things like furniture.

Bill: me. But I use the mouse with both hands, shifting every few minutes.

Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 7:12 am
by Chris Corbyn
shiznatix wrote:I slouch in my chair as much as possible. At home I get as close to laying down as possible without having trouble reaching my keyboard. I also bought those awesome gel pads for your wrists, 1 for the keyboard and 1 for the mouse. They really rock.

I do notice though that once I start to get 'in the zone' my face can be inches from the monitor and my wrists not even touching the desk.

Really though, a nice chair and these gel pads really make the difference.
Dude you must be crazy! 8O

I'd have a knackered back, and inch-thick glasses by now if I worked like that :lol:

Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 7:31 am
by shiznatix
Who says thats not already true for me :P ?

I usually use my laptop for everything but the problem is that I can't seam to find a good way to lay down on my couch and have comfy access to my keyboard. I can use it but I can't type very fast. Anyone figure out the secret to the proper position should really let me know.