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Ask HN: What work/office purchase transformed your life?

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Re: Ask HN: What work/office purchase transformed your life?

#71
post #68

An ergonomic split keyboard. Suddenly I can type without rotating my shoulders inward. Which in turn means more room in my chest for my lungs to expand. The difference was not subtle. Learning to touch-type on this thing took a while but was totally worth it.

A popular and reasonably affordable option that I used for years is the Kinesis brand (I used a Freestyle 2).

I don't really have ergo problems like other people though, and a regular 10 key Filco Majestouch 2 is my daily driver now. But I did like the Freestyle when I used it. It's worthwhile to get the angular stand kit that is an addon when you buy it (I believe it cost an extra $30 USD or so when I got it, but that was years ago)

Re: Ask HN: What work/office purchase transformed your life?

#73
Standing desk with same USB C dock + jabra headset + ergonomic microsoft sculpt keyboard + similar dual monitors in my home and work office. It's been very convenient as I can grab and go to plug in my personal laptop, work laptop, or usb c the peripherals to to the gaming desktop pretty easily.

Dragon medical dictation and now dragon one dictation. I don't agree with their frankly predatory end of life discontinuation to not activate any more licenses for the former, but man is it convenient. Just gives my hands and mind a break.

If you have suggestions for another ergonomic keyboard I'm all ears! My work one stopped working with my corporate laptop this week and I can't figure it out. Most of what I've seen doesn't have F-keys which are essential for me.

Re: Ask HN: What work/office purchase transformed your life?

#75

I don't drive, so getting to and from work is often more work than the actual work, plus, a lot of what I do isn't desk work. I spend a lot more on on-the-go gear than office stuff. * Tile Trackers * Vacuum insulated water bottles, food jars, and a coffee mug * A decent phone * A MOLLE backpack(SOG Ninja) and accessories. * A headlamp (Sofirn HS10, it's tiny and USB-C rechargeable) * Zero drop barefoot shoes * An ult…

Are you Anatomy Wasserman? https://c8.alamy.com/comp/ebfcff/moscow-russia-29th-nov-2014...

Sorry but his dressing is a bit funny.

Re: Ask HN: What work/office purchase transformed your life?

#76
post #46
post #11

Teeny teeny computers like the old MacBook Air. Mind you, I’m a workaholic and enjoy work. Buying computers that are usable but are so small you don’t mind carrying them around all day is a giant productivity hack. You can work on the bus, when your doctor runs late, etc.

Is the old Air still the best option in this space, or have other manufacturers stepped up in recent years? Last time I looked (a few years ago) the Air was far and away the best performer.

The late 2020 M1 Air is my favorite of the many laptops I've owned over the years.

Re: Ask HN: What work/office purchase transformed your life?

#77

I use two mice. I have a trackball mouse for my left hand and also use a conventional mouse for my right hand. I switch back and forth throughout the day. I suffered CTS early in my career when getting a full time job. I could not work full time without this setup.

I have been trying out a trackball as a mouse replacement only. I will try this setup, nice idea

Re: Ask HN: What work/office purchase transformed your life?

#78
Employees. They're pretty passive aggressive, but for the most part they just shut up and do their work. Makes my job easy. These days I mostly just take people to lunch, golf, smile & shake hands, occasionally do an inspirational TED-like talk, and just collect the cash.

Re: Ask HN: What work/office purchase transformed your life?

#79

AirPods Pro without a doubt. It's the only item in my life that if it broke, I would immediately buy a replacement. I used them in the office to isolate myself from other people and when I'm walking outside to isolate myself from cars.

I really wanted to like them. They kept falling out of my ear with all tips, and at almost $300, I didn’t want to have to buy aftermarket foam tips or ear hooks.

The sound is great and the Bluetooth pairing is excellent though.

Re: Ask HN: What work/office purchase transformed your life?

#80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know who Anatomy Wasserman is, but I'm pretty certain that will be my "final form"

He's a guy from Odessa whose famous in Russian speaking spaces (and sometimes on Reddit) for having lots of pockets filled with things.

On the assumption that 'Anatomy' was a spellchecker distortion of Anatoly: everything in your reply was already obvious except 'Odessa'.
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