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Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

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Re: Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

#191

Post by user_7832 »

tbyehl wrote: post #173
KronisLV wrote: post #154

Right now, I have four 16:9 monitors at 1080p each. Previously I used some of them in vertical orientation which is great for reading code, but window snapping used to be a bit weird sometimes. It's not too much of a problem on Linux, but on Windows I absolutely needed FancyZones: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/fancyzon... (hold SHIFT and drag window to snap, supports custom zones, like verticall…

I wasn't aware that PowerToys had that, so thanks for pointing it out. In general I've been satisfied with the built-in Snap feature but since getting a 49" 32:9 1440p monitor I've been wishing the 3-column options offered horizontal splits.

> I've been wishing the 3-column options offered horizontal splits

If you’re referring to the PowerToys feature, you can customise your own layout too btw

Re: Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

#193

Post by dsr_ »

bhouston wrote: post #177

I just purchased a 48" monitor as my primary monitor. No need to worry about rotation, I just have a massive screen in front of me. I think that for some people people are scared of large monitors in front of them, but once you use one, you realize that using small monitors (e.g. 27 or 32") in single or dual or triple arrangements is just ridiculous complex. One big monitor is way way better. Large monitors are the f…

If you have a 48" 4K monitor, what you have is:

+ 4x 24" 1080P without bezels

- 4x 24" 1080P in a fixed grid with no flexibility

Different people have different preferences, and that's ok.

Re: Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

#194

Post by davidy123 »

I haven't seen this config mentioned yet, but I have two displays; a LG SDQHD 28" 8:9 2560x2880 on the left, and a LG 49" 21:9 55120x2160 ultrawide curved on the right, with a slight angle joining them in a "hinge."

I use multiple virtual desktops, for dev I have a terminal on the left and the IDE on the right. This was the best config I could find where I had enough on the screens I didn't need to flip between panes frequently, yet it wasn't overwhelming and lets the actual window view behind the displays through, and I can comfortably focus on key areas and look around with craning my neck too much.

If the displays were backing a wall, I might try an 8k 65" display, but I would mainly use the comfortable part of it, and let the rest be ambient info. That could be magnificent with an OLED display. Though I think it would make sense to be curved and they aren't common anymore. Who knows, maybe a VR headset will be a better choice in a few years.

I've been working a lot on the idea of ambient info. I use KDE's html wallpaper feature to provide a dynamic graph view of my environment.

Re: Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

#195

Post by user_7832 »

winrid wrote: post #15
raingros wrote: post #7

Maybe it would be smarter to use one of the these? Samsung 43" M70A 4K UHD Smart Monitor https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/monitors/smart-monitors...

I liked my Samsung ultra wide until it started to hurt my eyes from the terrible PWM modulation...

It might be worth checking the modes available, perhaps cinema or eyecare modes may help if available. Not a monitor but on our Samsung TV some modes flicker visibly while others don’t. Fiddling around the settings accidentally turned it on for me.

Re: Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

#196

Post by batch12 »

LASR wrote: post #44

Tangentially related thought: Take my advice, don't go ultra-wide. Go with a large 4k. You get more pixels for cheaper. The only ultrawide that makes any sense is the 5k x 2k resolution one. These have more pixels than a single 4K. But they are expensive. Even then, a 16:9 5K monitor has more pixels. I personally use 3 x 27 inch 4K - which is cheaper than a single 5k Ultra-wide and gives you a TON more pixels.

I have both, an ultra wide in the middle and two curved monitors on each side with the edges touching. It works great for me

Re: Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

#197

Post by vermaden »

Its just another Xorg/X11 feature that overrated Wayland does not have.

It works the same on FreeBSD and Illumos - its not limited to Linux in any way.

Below example from my http://vermaden.wordpress.com/freebsd-desktop setup.

- https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GChSlZHXIAEgT8T?format=jpg&name=...

- https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GChSlbFWUAA0x6G?format=jpg&name=...

Regards,

vermaden

Re: Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

#198

Post by cpach »

bhouston wrote: post #177

I just purchased a 48" monitor as my primary monitor. No need to worry about rotation, I just have a massive screen in front of me. I think that for some people people are scared of large monitors in front of them, but once you use one, you realize that using small monitors (e.g. 27 or 32") in single or dual or triple arrangements is just ridiculous complex. One big monitor is way way better. Large monitors are the f…

So, one size fits all?

Re: Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

#199

Post by aldanor »

codingdave wrote: post #181
bhouston wrote: post #177

I just purchased a 48" monitor as my primary monitor. No need to worry about rotation, I just have a massive screen in front of me. I think that for some people people are scared of large monitors in front of them, but once you use one, you realize that using small monitors (e.g. 27 or 32") in single or dual or triple arrangements is just ridiculous complex. One big monitor is way way better. Large monitors are the f…

I've got a 48" monitor, too. I also have 2 27" monitors, one one each side in portrait mode. But I'm not sure why you think multiple monitors is complex - plug them in, drag windows over to the side as needed, and go about your work.

I had 2x27'' at work for years and now I have 1x49'' at home. Main difference is, on the 49 I can place a single 27''-sized window in the centre.

Re: Ideal monitor rotation for programmers (2021)

#200

Post by cduzz »

bartvk wrote: post #172
loloquwowndueo wrote: post #160

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Dell docking stations have been rock-solid for me (the laptop is also a Dell) and they can be had for quite cheap (about 50% retail) on eBay. I also balked at the price of caldigit units.

Be very careful about Dell docking stations. It's not always clear whether they're based on DisplayLink or real Thunderbolt/USB-C. The problem with DisplayLink is that a) you need a driver and b) after installing the driver, some websites don't show video (Udemy for example). This is on macOS, by the way.

At $work they had a variety of dell docking stations around the cube farm.

I use an old intel macbook running macos, and found that the docking stations with usb-c didn't support secondary video, while those with thunderbolt (usb-c with lightning bolt) worked fine for all docking station needs (secondary video, charging, USB keyboard / mouse / camera / etc).

A thunderbolt docking station and a 24 inch 19:10 monitor transformed my home office setup. Big monitor in portrait mode in front of me, macbook to left, old IBM M4-1 (trackpoint) keyboard, webcam perched on top right corner of macbook so I can have windows in either screen and it kinda looks like I'm still looking toward the camera instead of being rude.

I've found the biggest problem with the big monitor is where to put the video call camera -- if you're looking anywhere but toward the camera it looks like you're not making eye contact with the people on the screen and it seems "rude" because there's the impression that you're not engaged.

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