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Ask HN: What are some tech companies that do not use an open floor plan?

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Re: Ask HN: What are some tech companies that do not use an open floor plan?

#111

Post by rdl »

blitzo wrote: post #70
rdl wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's the office concept I've always wanted to build. It would be cool if someone from the company could document it/blog post/etc. -- might be good for recruiting too. (Especially since Viasat does pretty cool stuff -- excited about the new Exede sat expanding coverage...) I was thinking it would make sense to have roller doors or some other way to open the entire side of the office (on both sides -- "neighborhood"…

I find this https://imgur.com/CvtAHgZ IKEA Mandal divider turn-into cubicle reach a compromising middle ground between open and closed space.

I'd like more auditory isolation, though. (Ideally I want to be able to have a private conversation whenever I want within my office, without disturbing anyone else, and then have others able to do the same.)

Re: Ask HN: What are some tech companies that do not use an open floor plan?

#112

Post by pdkl95 »

noway421 wrote: post #106
eeZah7Ux wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> noise cancelling headphones They are very ineffective against voices! Passive insulating headphones are much better.

afaik qc35 does both

Assuming "qc35" == "Bose QuietComfort 35", it also eavesdrops on the metadata of everything you listen to and sends it to Bose (and segment.io).

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Bose-headphones-have-bee...

Re: Ask HN: What are some tech companies that do not use an open floor plan?

#113

Post by baud147258 »

I'm currently working in a small open plan with 6 other people, but the company is moving in June and I'll be in the big open space with 40 people. At least it should only be developpers, so we won't have sales people shouting on the phone.

Re: Ask HN: What are some tech companies that do not use an open floor plan?

#115

Post by pdkl95 »

kamaal wrote: post #24

Never understood the rationale behind open floor offices. I currently work in a cubicle set up, and people set up war rooms anytime they want close collaboration. Open offices seem to take this exceptional case and make it the norm. At the same time open floor offices cause a lot of trouble to people in non-exception situations.

Either intentionally or as "unintended consequences", having to work in open offices is operant conditioning against working in private. This might explain why so many tech workers believe "privacy is dead/futile" and accept working on spyware.

Re: Ask HN: What are some tech companies that do not use an open floor plan?

#116

Post by jrootabega »

KozmoNau7 wrote: post #68
lowlevel wrote: post #48

They're all going this way. I've had to started adding 'well, I can' t do the work here' in front of every 'when can you have this done' response.

It has gotten to the point where I'm seriously considering just working from home every day, even though that's strictly not allowed. Open-plan offices are absolutely maddening, I get pulled out of my thoughts constantly, and there's no effective way to shut it out. Earplugs aren't enough, and with headphones I would have to play music so loudly it would be annoying my colleagues, just in order to cut out the constan…

You shouldn't have to strap something to your face just to get work done. That's for animals. What about your seatmate who eats hot lunch next to you? That's your problem; put in your noseplugs. People walking around constantly? Put on your horse blinders.

Re: Ask HN: What are some tech companies that do not use an open floor plan?

#117

Post by gvurrdon »

skriticos2 wrote: post #84
KozmoNau7 wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It has gotten to the point where I'm seriously considering just working from home every day, even though that's strictly not allowed. Open-plan offices are absolutely maddening, I get pulled out of my thoughts constantly, and there's no effective way to shut it out. Earplugs aren't enough, and with headphones I would have to play music so loudly it would be annoying my colleagues, just in order to cut out the constan…

Use noise cancelling headphones. They shut out the world with a bit of quiet music. I love my qc35. Doesn't fix the primary issue, but makes it more bearable.

They're not bad, but are relatively poor against sounds similar to human speech, which includes coughing, sniffing, throat clearing etc. My colleagues who have a large extractor fan just outside their window have reported that noise-cancelling headphones offer an improvement, though.

Re: Ask HN: What are some tech companies that do not use an open floor plan?

#118

Post by jrootabega »

maxxxxx wrote: post #88
amriksohata wrote: post #14

I work in a very open office plan where meeting rooms have no walls and even directors sit amongst the staff. It's noisy and distracting, I can never concentrate

"even directors sit amongst the staff" At least they are eating their own dogfood. I have had several occasions where I was belittled when I complained about noise and lack of daylight by our managers who have private offices with windows.

They have no idea (or have forgotten) what doing Dev work is like. Their jobs are basically distraction, so to them there's no problem.

Re: Ask HN: What are some tech companies that do not use an open floor plan?

#119

Post by gvurrdon »

pdkl95 wrote: post #112
noway421 wrote: post #106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

afaik qc35 does both

Assuming "qc35" == "Bose QuietComfort 35", it also eavesdrops on the metadata of everything you listen to and sends it to Bose (and segment.io). https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Bose-headphones-have-bee...

Thanks for the link. This sort of thing is becoming a total pain; it seems that there's almost no gadget I might use that's not reporting my habits to someone.
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