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Ideal Monitor Rotation for Programmers

sprocketfox.io

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Re: Ideal Monitor Rotation for Programmers

#421

Post by necovek »

jbverschoor wrote: post #236
andyjpb wrote: post #202

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've longed for a window manager that can assign different virtual desktops to different screens. Of course, there are compositing, scaling and resolution issues to overcome, but it'd be really neat to have a palette of virtual desktops that could be called up on whichever monitor was most convenient. ...and it'd make screen mirroring during presentations a breeze!

I basically want to have real multi user. I want my dev/project to be an isolated user, also bc of software supply chain security. I want to map it to a (virtual) screen. I want to be able to share the clipboard. I think the closest is running multiple OS X/Linux in VMs

You could also achieve this with pure X server and several system users: X controls your display and inputs (kb/mouse), and you let different X clients from different system users display on that server (eg. set the DISPLAY env var properly, configure X server permissions with xhost utility).

Then, you use a configurable tiling manager to control which windows go where (I am sure you can even go by the user somehow, but maybe you'll need to "decorate" the client run with an env var too).

Re: Ideal Monitor Rotation for Programmers

#422

Post by tlavoie »

throwanem wrote: post #420
tlavoie wrote: post #418

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thinking "axe" and "break stuff", there is nothing like going to split some firewood for a while to limber up away from the desk.

I've got plenty of split wood in the shed, but Beat Saber in VR has been great for this same purpose lately. The problem, I find, is stopping when I need to - it's engrossing enough that I have to set a phone alarm, and not only when I need to be back at my desk by a given time.

OK, this does look like stupid amounts of fun.

Re: Ideal Monitor Rotation for Programmers

#423

Post by throwanem »

tlavoie wrote: post #422
throwanem wrote: post #420

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've got plenty of split wood in the shed, but Beat Saber in VR has been great for this same purpose lately. The problem, I find, is stopping when I need to - it's engrossing enough that I have to set a phone alarm, and not only when I need to be back at my desk by a given time.

OK, this does look like stupid amounts of fun.

It is! Good exercise, too, I'm finding.

edit having just finished a session: And as rhythm games go, I've never played anything else quite like it. The sheer sense of immersion makes it a unique experience, and that's before you realize each map is designed to teach you to dance your way through it. As you practice a song, you learn the dance, and the process of improving your execution on every runthrough feels amazing, especially once you know the song well enough to start attaining a full-body flow state that I honestly can't find words to describe. Like programming can be, sure, but where that's purely cerebral, this has a kind of sensual physicality that programming flow just doesn't match in my experience.

It's a little like back when I was young and used to dance in clubs, and a little like playing a musical instrument really well, but mainly it's its own thing that I can't really describe but can unreservedly recommend to anyone who can afford a Quest 2 and find 10x10 feet or so of clear floor space.

There's a lot of other things you can do in VR too I guess? I haven't really bothered with them yet, though. :D

Re: Ideal Monitor Rotation for Programmers

#424

Post by drewzero1 »

stevbov wrote: post #185
drewzero1 wrote: post #149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, you're not alone. I tend to get lost in a screen as large as the 27" iMac I used for a few years. I usually ended up keeping my windows small and sticking them somewhere in the middle of the screen. For work (IT admin) I have a Surface Pro with a 10.5" screen docked to a 24" monitor at my desk, but I tend to only use the docked monitor for remote desktop or documentation. I often end up just ignoring the big scre…

I had this problem when I first got a 30" monitor - I was constantly losing my mouse cursor, it took forever to move over to things, etc. To solve it I wrote a program for storing and restoring mouse cursor positions (along with focusing the app under it) and it really helped. It was nice being able to have multiple windows visible at once when I was doing things, and to be able to switch between them quickly. Mobili…

I also lost the mouse cursor fairly often. I turned up the size and acceleration and got into the habit of throwing it into the top left corner which either opened the applications overlay (in GNOME shell) or fanned out all the windows (in Mac OS).

Re: Ideal Monitor Rotation for Programmers

#425

Post by brandall10 »

seanmcdirmid wrote: post #158
brandall10 wrote: post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

After doing the exercise of going from 3 displays -> 11" MBA (no external), I'm maximally productive on any reasonably sized laptop monitor. 16" is great, but I'm probably 95% on my new 14". It's all about optimizing your workflow, utilizing workspaces, tiling, etc.

I mean, sure, you are probably going to be 80-90% on any monitor that doesn't hurt your eyes (crappy refresh rate) and can support bitmapped graphics (not just a TTY terminal display). But having lived through multiple iterations of displays starting from plain old TTYs (4 inches at that!), I really appreciate display advancements and getting access to better/bigger ones.

I'm 45 and have been programming professionally for 26 years - not some kid trying to be controversial. I feel there are distinct advantages to improving your workflow and working w/ a smaller and/or fewer displays. The main issue is scan time for your eyes and neck.

As well when you have a more focused presentation, you are more deliberate about your workflow. Do you need to see five columns of code simultaneously? I'd argue hardly ever, and trying to maintain that layout with what is optimal or useful is extra cognitive overhead or simply wasted space that is not helpful to being more productive.

Last time I was in an office about 3 years ago, they gave me a 34" widescreen. I only occasionally hooked it up where that width could be helpful, but most of the time I opted to use my 15" laptop display as I'm simply more effective in that mode.

Re: Ideal Monitor Rotation for Programmers

#426

Post by luxcem »

cecilpl2 wrote: post #50

I run 7 monitors. I've got a 2x3 grid of 24" monitors on a stand, and then a 27" widescreen standing tall beside it for code or a long terminal. It's fantastic, though I could stand to have another row above. It's nice rarely having to switch windows - everything I need and use is right in front of me.

I tried 2 and 3 monitors and then I realized I don't like moving my neck / chair.

I use i3 and now I have 10 monitors just in front of my eyes. I can easily switch windows, move an window to the front, side by side it's fantastic. Usually my applications have a default windows in which they open, switching to a specific application is muscle memory now. No mouse movement, no head movement. Just eyes and fingers coordination.

I usually have 8+ opened applications at the same time (editor, multiple terminals, mails, browser, chat) everything is in its right place.

Since my eyes can't look at two thing at the same time, no need to display everything. It's easier to press the shortcut to switch windows than to move my head.

Everything fits on my 3840x2400 13' laptop, it's like a Tardis, bigger on the inside.

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