Is there a reasonably priced VESA-monoitor-arm attachable whiteboard out there? Something like this[1] that's cheaper, or should I just build my own?
[1] https://www.ergotron.com/en-us/products/product-details/98-4...
Becoming a high performing software developer working from your bedroom
81–90 of 308 posts
Re: Becoming a high performing software developer working from your bedroom
#82Earlier quoted context omitted.
I would never use those to write something important in a notebook. I did this and left it in my bag, the sun shone on the bag and because of the heat most of my notes got erased. Well because friction = heat, so it was the same thing.
Cold makes "erased" notes to appear, nothing disappears in reality.
You mean I can put my old, blanked out by sun, notes in the fridge and they will reappear ? If that works you made my day, sir !
Re: Becoming a high performing software developer working from your bedroom
#83I have switched from working in bedroom, to working in a dedicated office, to working in a co-working space, to working from home in a dedicated office. 1. Working from the bedroom is hell. It's fun for the first few months but then you are likely to have severe eye strain and become very sleepy. 2. Working from a real office sets boundaries and forces a schedule. You have to wake up at xx:xx time and drive to office…
It seems like you are just enjoying the change of the scenery and surroundings, which gives you the boost of energy and productivity. After a while you get used to a new location too much and the start finding some issues and inconveniences, explaining in hindsight to yourself why you dislike that particular place.
Perhaps you can just switch your working area every 4-6 months (does not really matter where) and be happy and productive all the time?
Re: Becoming a high performing software developer working from your bedroom
#84> Buy a whiteboard and write the goals for the day on it, for instance As a solo dev the biggest productivity booster for me, from a physical and mental aspect, was purchasing a whiteboard. It honestly feels like some sort of hack. Prior to having one I would use pen and paper but that didn't quite scratch my itch - if I made a mistake I would have to scribble it out and that space was now wasted. I can't quite expla…
I picked one up almost 3 years ago for my home office. Also happened to document the process of building one here: https://nickjanetakis.com/blog/build-your-own-8x4-foot-white...
I don't mind spending money but it's hard to pass up $15 worth of materials at home depot and 20 minutes of work instead of buying a pre-made whiteboard for $200.
If anyone is curious, even ~3 years later with a decent amount of usage it works great.
Re: Becoming a high performing software developer working from your bedroom
#85I have switched from working in bedroom, to working in a dedicated office, to working in a co-working space, to working from home in a dedicated office. 1. Working from the bedroom is hell. It's fun for the first few months but then you are likely to have severe eye strain and become very sleepy. 2. Working from a real office sets boundaries and forces a schedule. You have to wake up at xx:xx time and drive to office…
I rent an office two minutes from my home and it’s been a huge productivity boost for me since switching from my dedicated office at home.
Re: Becoming a high performing software developer working from your bedroom
#86I have switched from working in bedroom, to working in a dedicated office, to working in a co-working space, to working from home in a dedicated office. 1. Working from the bedroom is hell. It's fun for the first few months but then you are likely to have severe eye strain and become very sleepy. 2. Working from a real office sets boundaries and forces a schedule. You have to wake up at xx:xx time and drive to office…
I've been working at a dedicated office at the house of a family member who also works from home, ~2.5 miles away. As long as it's not raining or too cold (below ~25°F/-4°C), I bike there in the morning. Other days I either drive or work from home. Although I prefer on site, this feels ideal for remote:
- Exercise most mornings - Ability to socialize - Comfortable space - Privacy - Work/home boundaries - Fridge to store food in, and ability to leave my laptop there so I don't have to carry anything on my bike ride (I use my desktop at my house).
This would also be workable at the house of a sufficiently close friend, I think.
I also like voice or video conferencing with others, without actually talking to them, just working at the same time. It helps build some of that "coworking space feel" without most of the downsides.
Re: Becoming a high performing software developer working from your bedroom
#87Earlier quoted context omitted.
Cold makes "erased" notes to appear, nothing disappears in reality.
You mean I can put my old, blanked out by sun, notes in the fridge and they will reappear ? If that works you made my day, sir !
Incredible indeed. Please update to let us know if it worked!
Re: Becoming a high performing software developer working from your bedroom
#88> Buy a whiteboard and write the goals for the day on it, for instance As a solo dev the biggest productivity booster for me, from a physical and mental aspect, was purchasing a whiteboard. It honestly feels like some sort of hack. Prior to having one I would use pen and paper but that didn't quite scratch my itch - if I made a mistake I would have to scribble it out and that space was now wasted. I can't quite expla…
> on a whiteboard my brain juices just flow. Maybe standing up is also key in making your brain juices flow? Or the act of stepping away from your desk. (Assuming that's your setup) I have a whiteboard that takes me 5 steps to reach and that definitely helps me
There have been studies that show walking gives a cognitive boost with respect to creativity. Some related to increased blood flow.
For me it's that act that helps, plus gathering stimuli you don't have at your desk which may bump you over a hurdle.
Whiteboards only tend to help me when I get to a problem I can't hold in short-term/working memory.
Re: Becoming a high performing software developer working from your bedroom
#89> Buy a whiteboard and write the goals for the day on it, for instance As a solo dev the biggest productivity booster for me, from a physical and mental aspect, was purchasing a whiteboard. It honestly feels like some sort of hack. Prior to having one I would use pen and paper but that didn't quite scratch my itch - if I made a mistake I would have to scribble it out and that space was now wasted. I can't quite expla…
I picked one up almost 3 years ago for my home office. Also happened to document the process of building one here: https://nickjanetakis.com/blog/build-your-own-8x4-foot-white... I don't mind spending money but it's hard to pass up $15 worth of materials at home depot and 20 minutes of work instead of buying a pre-made whiteboard for $200. If anyone is curious, even ~3 years later with a decent amount of usage it wor…
The only problem with hardware store melamine is the performance degrades quickly and they ghost badly with almost any brand of marker that remains on the board for a week or so.
I’ve tried a bunch of hacks including wiping the board with WD40 and have since moved on to glass write boards when and where I can.
I’ve had times in my career where I didn’t have $200 to spend, and the hardware store option is great, but $200, in the end, is a small price to pay if you use the board for more than a year.
Re: Becoming a high performing software developer working from your bedroom
#90I personally hate working from home, and will only do it if there are reasons I can't work somewhere else, such as needing to be home for a plumber or being sick. I'd rather work anywhere else, whether that's an office, a library, or even a cafe.
My house is my sanctuary, it's my safe space where I can retreat back to after a day of work. I put a high priority on keeping my work life and my personal life separate. I won't work on weekends unless it's an emergency (I'm also usually not sober enough to work for those 48 hours anyway, even if the called).