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150 days of living and coding in a van

ruby-on-wheels.github.io

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Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#211

Post by yokisan »

This is awesome. So much so, I'm going to borrow his idea and kick this off next Spring.

If the author is reading this, some questions:

- How do you deal with solitude? Most can handle it but seeing as everyday is a new day in a new place there must be an urge to share that with somebody.

- This mode of living must have an impact on the ol' love life. What do the ladies say - if you meet many at all - when you suggest going back to your van/office/home?

- What are your plans for the Winter? I imagine just go as south-west as possible to chase the sun.

Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#212

Post by inDigiNeous »

mmahemoff wrote: post #94

I'm curious - don't people miss big monitors when coding on a laptop? I've done a fair amount of coding on laptops while travelling and it's okay, but I feel like a big monitor is optimal for most work and wouldn't want a permanent situation with just laptop. I like to have logs, command line, and editor all visible, and ideally a browser too. The editor alone is much more useful in a big window where you can see a f…

I got used to it. A nice high DPI display like that on the Macbook Pro 15" helps, 2880x1800 is a pretty nice resolution to work with.

Helps focus and minimize your toolset in a way too, you want to be focused on one thing more than multiple things, so I guess that's kind of a good thing also, making things simpler.

Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#213

Post by davidsong »

we_re_new wrote: post #189
sealjam wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think (hope) the downvoters have missed the sarcasm in this comment

I think that removing the downvote button altogether is a good idea on this site.

There's a downvote button? I've not seen it yet.

Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#214

Post by lettergram »

bamboozled wrote: post #210

I live and work to travel and go on adventures and what I don't live for is work. Why would someone want to mix the two? I work full time remote out of a home office, but I couldn't think of much worse of an idea going on a "working holiday". I've done it and it just distracts me from enjoying my time. I mean, is the author really productive or just having fun and doing much less work? I'm not judging anyone for work…

In school, and now out of school - I keep the same routine. I work 50 to 80+ hours a week programming, emailing, etc.

Primary, Ive worked a full-time job as (senior) software engineer and on the side (as much as a possibly can get away with it) building businesses for the last year of college + the last three years. During that time I never once took more than a single day break from coding. That is four years with no vacation / adventure.

I coded after everyone went to sleep, on planes, trains, ships, etc. Believe it or not I'm also married and have a fairly active social life.

I found that traveling, and working makes it possible for me to see things I otherwise wouldn't. I also noticed that changing up my scenery made it possible for me to be more productive. Might not be like this for everyone, but I'm more invigorated when new stuff is going on. It keeps my brain on point.

I should note, that since then I took my first real vacation in four years. It was two weeks doing w.e., traveling with my wife. Honestly, it was awesome to be away. That doesn't mean I don't bring my work with me now (as perhaps I'm overly ambitious), but I do intend to unplug now for at least two weeks every year.

However, I can see how this guy would be able to travel and might even be more productive if they do it right.

Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#215

Post by ruairidhwm »

robotmay wrote: post #31

I've met a few people living in vans/converted trucks when I've been in France. There's quite a few countries around with great regulations that let you park up in lots of places, e.g. in France there are regular places you can stay along the major roads for free, usually with decent facilities. I met a girl there this year who had converted a truck into a mobile home. It even had window boxes for her plants! Unfortu…

Go to Scotland and enjoy your freedom to roam :)

Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#216

Post by zitterbewegung »

mmahemoff wrote: post #94

I'm curious - don't people miss big monitors when coding on a laptop? I've done a fair amount of coding on laptops while travelling and it's okay, but I feel like a big monitor is optimal for most work and wouldn't want a permanent situation with just laptop. I like to have logs, command line, and editor all visible, and ideally a browser too. The editor alone is much more useful in a big window where you can see a f…

You can buy a portable display by Asus or Acer . Or you can use an iPad / iPhone on a Mac.

Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#217

Post by toomanybeersies »

cfn wrote: post #185
toomanybeersies wrote: post #167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you've got a good sleeping bag, -2 C isn't that bad. I've spent the night with those temperatures in the high country of New Zealand. I know people that have spent the night in -15 C temperatures.

That may be OK for sleeping but it is very hard to work. I spent a couple of Winters coding without heating with indoor temperatures around 12 Celsius and it was very hard. I wore mittens, bubble hat, a blanket and even an electric foot warmer and still had to stop working and walk a bit every now and then to warm up.

Yeah, I had to live through that as well when I was at university. Fingerless gloves were essential. Below 15 C, it actually gets hard to type.

Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#218

Post by jarvist »

jbb67 wrote: post #74
mcjiggerlog wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As someone from the UK, this is surprising. In the UK the worst schools are generally in cities, and much better in smaller towns.

I was going to add this. Education for possibly future children is one reason why I would move _out_ of London

I think your perception is incorrect. It is now well recognised that London has the highest quality teaching in the country: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2012/jan/20/top-local-...

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/aug/07/london...

https://www.teachers.org.uk/expert-view/why-attainment-highe...

Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#219

Post by ehnto »

lilbobbytables wrote: post #203
p0nce wrote: post #140

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I develop wth a mobile setup (3G/4G + laptop + laptop stand) most of the time, but not with a nomadic lifestyle. I don't miss big monitors while on the go. Either I forgot how good they were or one get used to it. What I favor infinitely more is the mobility itself. I don't understand why remote people don't move more when given the chance. YMMV, I still have a big monitor at home, else I would feel cut from my custo…

> A problem with smaller screen is the additional eye strain I almost have more of an eye strain with multiple monitors because of more horizontal movement of my eyes, and often being a little bit further from the monitor. (and my bigger monitor isn't the same resolution as my laptop)

My home setup has a screen directly in front and one to the side, as if I have them both offset then I am always at lesst a little bit strained and I end up using the inner parts of the monitors anyway.

I have considered one below and one directly in front as well so it's up movement instead but I have yet to come up with a good mounting solution!

Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#220

Post by e59d134d »

mmahemoff wrote: post #94

I'm curious - don't people miss big monitors when coding on a laptop? I've done a fair amount of coding on laptops while travelling and it's okay, but I feel like a big monitor is optimal for most work and wouldn't want a permanent situation with just laptop. I like to have logs, command line, and editor all visible, and ideally a browser too. The editor alone is much more useful in a big window where you can see a f…

Not really, I prefer to code on my 13" MBP. I have 24" monitor but I rarely ever use it. Ability to lay back and put legs on coffee table are more important to me.
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