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downwardly_mobile

(137 posts)
Wed Feb 8, 2012, 11:47 AM Feb 2012

News of the Annoying: "In Data Deluge, Multitaskers Go to Multiscreens" (New York Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/08/technology/for-multitaskers-multiple-monitors-improve-office-efficiency.html?_r=1&ref=us

"...a growing new tactic for countering the data assault: the addition of a second computer screen. Or a third...

This proliferation of displays is the latest workplace upgrade, and it is responsible for the new look at companies and home offices — they are starting to resemble mission control...

...For multiscreen multitaskers, a single monitor can seem as outdated as dial-up Internet. “You go back to one, and you feel slow,” said Jackie Cohen, 42, who uses three 17-inch monitors in her home office in San Francisco, where she edits a blog about Facebook.

...someone might tell a friend about a new job by adding, “They’re giving me a 30 right off the bat,” which is shorthand for a 30-inch monitor."


Ooh! A blog! About Facebook!

17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

unblock

(51,974 posts)
5. back in the day, i was fine with one screen on my sun workstation.
Wed Feb 8, 2012, 12:07 PM
Feb 2012

i used to have a window for editing, a window for running my programs, a window for mail, and a few monitors running on the screen at the same time (along with other "rooms" i could switch to for different purposes).

but microsoft windows SUCKS as a windows manager and it's far more practical to use the entire screen for most applications. windows simply does not let you reasonably use the available real estate to proper advantage.

so it becomes necessary to get more real estate.

but that's the idea, the software gets you to spend more money on hardware, the hardware gets you to spend more money on software, etc. capitalism at its finest. they could simply be more efficient in their use of resources, but then bill gates didn't become the richest man in the world by saving resources for his customers....

eppur_se_muova

(36,227 posts)
10. I find it ironic that an OS named Windows seems to assume that there's not much point ...
Wed Feb 8, 2012, 12:47 PM
Feb 2012

in using windows.

unblock

(51,974 posts)
11. microswift was never about doing anything WELL.
Wed Feb 8, 2012, 01:03 PM
Feb 2012

they were always about doing things well ENOUGH to put the other guy effectively out of business and to make sure the money flowed to them instead.

TrogL

(32,818 posts)
6. I've got three monitors at work, but I'm monitoring a shitload of equipment
Wed Feb 8, 2012, 12:22 PM
Feb 2012

So it's basically one screen for email, one screen for monitors, one screen for ssh sessions. I've generally got about 40 windows open at any one time.

kysrsoze

(6,010 posts)
7. I seriously work with a guy who uses 4 at a time. I don't know how he does it.
Wed Feb 8, 2012, 12:35 PM
Feb 2012

The guy is savant-like in his recall ability to handle it all. I'm just fine with my one screen, thanks.

Matariki

(18,775 posts)
9. If you were working on a project on paper
Wed Feb 8, 2012, 12:40 PM
Feb 2012

say, something needing lots of math and reference material - don't you think you could handle having a notebook, a couple reference books, a scratchpad and some notecards all on your desk at the same time? Same thing really.

I do web development for a living, and I'd feel kind of handicapped with only one screen.

Ian David

(69,059 posts)
12. I would love to have four monitors
Wed Feb 8, 2012, 01:20 PM
Feb 2012

Have my calendar app one one, email one another.

Then have Twitter one another monitor, and the fourth for whatever I'm working on.

 

Spider Jerusalem

(21,786 posts)
8. I get by with one monitor and six virtual desktops (of which I usually use 3 or so)
Wed Feb 8, 2012, 12:40 PM
Feb 2012

desktop environments that are set up out of the box for virtual workspaces are an advantage *nix has over Windows (there's software that does it for Windows but it's not integrated).

flamingdem

(39,304 posts)
16. I thought twice about using that term
Wed Feb 8, 2012, 03:05 PM
Feb 2012

but thought just maybe it's become mainstream, but I guess it's still local lingo, I'm in L.A. and that's the company town business here.

It's too much to say visual effects artists or computer animators.

frylock

(34,825 posts)
17. i prefer one large monitor and Windows Snap..
Wed Feb 8, 2012, 05:20 PM
Feb 2012

never understood the need to have a monitor dedicated to my email client. i receive notification of incoming mail from an icon in my system tray.

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