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how many monitors do you use and why?
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:36 am
by konstandinos
i'm thinking of getting a 2nd monitor. the idea is to have a nice 19' for source code editing and the like, and my current 17' next to it for things like surfing the net and chatting to clients on IM, checking email, and that sorta thing.
no actually the idea is to feel cool; and i'm looking for a good excuse.
in fact i'm even considering selling my soul and getting a cool projector for my wall.
what is your setup (read: shrine) like? and what software would you recommend to manage 2 monitors? (Win XP)
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:41 am
by CoderGoblin
At the office I use 2 monitors. 1 for the web site I am changing, one for source code. If find this setup useful as both the browser and the editor I use (Eclipse) are generally maximised.
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:40 am
by matthijs
I have a dual setup with a 19" monitor and below that my notebook screen. Works great. I could not work with one monitor (anymore). Even now I sometimes would like more screen estate. Wtf, just give me 2x 30" or at least 2x21"!
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 6:05 am
by m3mn0n
I got dual LCD monitors. 17' Acer and 15' ViewSonic.
It's great for a lot of things. Pretty much any task that involves flipping between 2 active windows (a lot for me) is a breeze when both are always open and available to view.
It increases speed/productivity and whenever I'm using a PC without 2 monitors, it drives me crazy not having that second one.
It was an absolute pain to get it setup properly to allow me to seemlessly switch between Linux and Windows. Fedora always read my Secondary monitor as the main one, so I switched the plugs to solve that after a while of trying to figure out the configuration. Then coming back to Windows I had to reverse the configuration and it finally worked. heh
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 6:39 am
by aaronhall
I'm on 2 17-inch monitors -- I don't know how I got anything done without the second. I'd probably get a third if I had the money.
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 6:54 am
by matthijs
What's even worse then a single monitor is a small single one without Firefox installed (when working at a clients or something). Then try to work in the mess of all those windows opened ... aargh.
I'm still looking for a foot-pedal as an extra switch to be able to switch windows or do some other operation. Does that exist?
@konstandinos: indeed, a projector seems like a good idea as well. I'm not too sure about the quality of the projected screen you get though.
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 7:07 am
by seodevhead
I used to fly the AH-64A/D Apache Attack Helicopter and actually use my old helmet rigged with the TADS virtual monocular eyepiece as a third screen to my existing dual 19" setup. I've learned to examine the errors in my application and debug simultaneously which saves me a lot of time. The army made a USB hub adapter of sorts for the helmet, so it actually works on a PC, but the resolution is less than optimal for web design, but does the job for reading mysql and php errors while I 'search and destroy' in my code editor... no pun intended.
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 7:40 am
by Jenk
I'd LOVE one of those monocles. But I don't love the price associated with them.
I've got 1 19" LCD, but I would like a second. A lot of the stuff I do requires I alt-tab frequently, so would be nice to just be able to glance over.

Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:02 am
by onion2k
I've got 1 17" monitor. It does the job.
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:33 am
by feyd
Digging through my posts would result: 2 24" displays.
They function similarly to CoderGoblin's work set up.
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:13 am
by konstandinos
feyd wrote:Digging through my posts would result: 2 24" displays.
does your neck get sore?
no but seriously, i'd love to see a photo of your setup. you sound like you take your work _very_ seriously.
2x24'... jeesh... maybe i'll extend my mortgage on the house... hmm
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:20 am
by John Cartwright
I prefer a single 28" monitor, thanks.
Edit | I just took a quick shot with my crappy webcam
My arsenal consists of
Logitech 5.1 Surround sound,
Logitech Wireless mouse/keyword
Sony Wireless headphones
Samsung 28" LCD TV/monitor
13mhz, 2mb ram desktop (custom built) - hey -- I spent all my money on the rest of stuff

Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:20 am
by Chris Corbyn
2 x 19" Monitors at work. They are constantly both in use. I usually have code on one screen and a MySQL console in the other, or code in one and a SimpleTest testrunner page in the other.
At home I just have the one screen and it doesn't bother me much, even though it's less convenient to constantly switch window focus.
Kate (text editor) has a nice split-window feature so you can work with two files side-by-side. I'll sometimes use both screens so I can compare code in both files really quickly as I work.
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:23 am
by feyd
Here's a picture I took at the beginning of last year when I built the machine.

Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:29 am
by matthijs
but but ... how can you concentrate on your work on the left screen if you have that picture on the right screen?