291–300 of 853 posts
The vast majority of people still haven't realised the productivity benefits of properly big monitors. The desktop UI metaphor actually makes sense when you've got a monitor that's the size of a desk.
I wouldn't have thought they were lesser-known, but I've been surprised how many people don't know about today's cheap portable external monitors. They're essentially laptop panels with a USB-C+HDMI board. $100-$150-ish and easily found in 15.6" and 13-14", 1080p or 2K. All the ones I've tried have 2 USB-C ports, mini-HDMI, and speakers. This all depends on what USB-C ports your machine actually has and the right USB…
Do you have a specific model you can recommend? I searched a brighter one out especially (300 nits), read reviews, etc. Paid 200€. What I got absolutely sucks, definitely not 300 nits, glitches half the time I try to use it, doesn't remember my settings. When I finally got around to return it, I discovered the company no longer exists lol.
I have a mouse cable bungee. Particularly useful for twitch based FPS shooters such as Counter Strike, but overall ensures never to get the cable in your way. PS: You don't use wireless for competitive shooters. LAN Cable, cable mouse, etc. See: https://www.amazon.com/Glorious-PC-Gaming-Race-Bungee/dp/B07...
But I told myself if I can't improve on the pens with some kind of wire mock-up (the idea being to tuck the bottom under my desk mat for security) I'll spring for the real thing. It's a really nice effect.
Kinesis Advantage 360 pro. Apple magic trackpad. Savant Elite2 Triple Foot pedal. Left Click, Right Click, ESC.. currently. Still playing with them. IPEVO DO-CAM USB document camera, doubles as my face camera, but I do a lot of 'whiteboard' sketches on paper which I later translate to lucid if it needs to be kept.
I use and Advantage but have not tried the 360. How do you find it? Have you used the older models to give a comparison?
+ Variable split is very nice.
+ Higher tenting degrees than the 20 degrees of the KA2.
+ Great firmware (ZMK) out of the box.
+ Really good build quality.
+ User-replaceable battery.
- The Gateron Brown switches are mediocre. They are not to spec and the actuation points are closer to 3mm than 2mm. This makes it much harder to type without bottoming out and doesn't permit the lighter touch you can use with the Browns or Silent Reds in the KA2.
- The two halves always connect through Bluetooth, but sometimes the right half cannot find the left half, especially after flashing. You usually have to power cycle both halves several times to get them to connect again.
- The Pro (in contrast to the non-Pro 360) comes with mediocre ABS keycaps. I replaced them by a Kinesis PBT blank set, but this adds another $50 or so to the already steep price.
- The optional palm rests are too high.
- Cannot be used on your lap.
The keyboard I still love the most is the Kinesis Advantage2 with a KinT controller (for QMK). If the split distance and tenting degree of the KA2 are acceptable, I'd recommend people to buy the KA2. If you do get a 360, I'd recommend you to go through Upgradekeyboards.com and get it with a different switch type.
A Tidbyt: https://tidbyt.com/ It's next to my computer, and I use it for notifications and smaller dashboards: https://github.com/tidbyt/community
Is there anything like this but... not as nice? (and not as expensive) I wouldn't mind having something like this to mess around on but not for $180 USD
The second option would be any cheapo Android tablet + Kiosk browser. It lets you have any web page visible and the screen turns on at voice/motion.
Or a more ready-made option would be an Elgato Stream Deck. You can customise the buttons pretty well.
I use a small USB switcher box to let me control my personal machine and my work machine at the same desk. I also use a keyboard that lets me flip a switch to change between Mac/Windows layouts. It has been very helpful to let me cleanly separate work from leisure, without having to give up the ergonomics of my desk setup. The friction to switch is low enough that I don't feel tempted to keep work related stuff on my…
When switching from personal to work mode, I just swap the USB-C between computers.
Dunno if any USB-C switchers exist though.
VR headset, swivel chair, and 270° of screens. What's bigger than ultra-wide? I use both a Quest 2 (running Immersed on Linux) and a Valve Index (running Virtual Desktop on Windows).
I use a laptop with zero accessories, which is unusual in of itself for SWE.
If you keep this up though, your wrists, neck, and back will make you pay for it in a few years.