Comments on: 4 Upgrades for Your Personal Workspace

By: PPC For Hire

PPC For Hire — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:04:34 +0000

Damn! Missed out on the Share Senseo promotion! Great tips nonetheless!

By: Jon Clark

Jon Clark — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:00:50 +0000

The noise canceling headphones are key!! If you are looking for a good alternative to the high priced noise canceling ‘earmuffs’, Sony offers a pair for around $20 at Wal-Mart or Target that works almost as well. I use them when I travel as well and they are a godsend on airplanes!

By: Dennis

Dennis — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:07:00 +0000

For me, what really helps is not only a 2nd monitor, but a second computer right next to the other one.

I have a 15″ laptop attached to a 15″ monitor and then a 24″ iMac next to it. This allows me to use the laptop for production while the iMac is for me to see web page changes in different browsers, plus it is an Intel Apple machine which I can use to open Windows XP at the same time and check the pages in IE.

By: Dennis Freeze

Dennis Freeze — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:20:56 +0000

I disagree with the Thermos idea for coffee, and especially with the microwaving idea. The essential oils in the coffee break down too easily.

I’m a big coffee hound, stuck in a small town without good coffee. So we sprung for the Gaggia Syncrony espresso machine. Turn the dial down to get a 2-oz espresso shot, and up to get an 8-0z cup of crema coffee. It makes the best coffee! In 2 years, I figure it’s made 6-7K cups without a hitch.

Sure, it was pricey, but the quality and the robustness make it worth it to me. YMMV.

By: Jo

Jo — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:03:28 +0000

I use Starbucks coffee pods in my single serve Tassimo, great stuff!! Can’t do without my ScanSnap.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sat, 31 May 2008 13:52:42 +0000

I use the Audio-Technica brand — picked them up for about $130 and wouldn’t trade them for anything…

By: OJ

OJ — Sat, 31 May 2008 01:32:08 +0000

I’d love to get some details on a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones that are comfortable for those of us who wear glasses :) I’ve bought quite a few sets of headphones only to find that they’re all uncomfortable to wear if you’re wearing glasses at the same time. If you have any suggestions I’d love to hear them, as I’m tired of having the arms of my glasses squeezed into the side of my head :D

Man that makes me sound like a nerd :P

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 29 May 2008 01:05:40 +0000

Yes – you can run dual monitors on VAIO. Adjust display properties for two monitors to either:

1. duplicate desktop on 2° monitor, or
2. extend desktop to second monitor,

I tile up to 4 windows vertically across 2 monitors with good results. Improves speed of data entry for our teleworkers.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:39:11 +0000

Hi there-

Can anyone help tell me if I can not only run two monitors on my Sony VAIO Laptop, but have my email open on one and other work on the external?

Not sure I have the appropriate adapters…

Thanks in advance-

Jeff

By: javajeb

javajeb — Tue, 27 May 2008 16:54:32 +0000

For my money, the best single serve coffee maker is the AeroPress. If can make espresso-like brews, concentrates, etc. And you're not bound up in pods, or making your own. Just the bean you have on hand. It's my standard travel maker. javajeb

By: Antoinette

Antoinette — Tue, 27 May 2008 12:57:05 +0000

Huh…I guess I’ll wait for my rebate check before spending on any of these luxury items. 2008 has not been a good year for me. I think I’ll stick with my old technology until the economy picks up (or, at least, my little piece of it).

By: Keith S.

Keith S. — Tue, 27 May 2008 00:36:08 +0000

On the single-serve coffee front, if you really want to go that route, check out the Keurig B60. It can be had for ~$150 (yes, a lot for a coffee maker, but right in line with most single-serve machines), but the best part is for an extra $15, you can get a genuine Keurig reusable filter that will let you use whatever coffee you want (be it Kopi Luac or Maxwell House). I have one (it was a wedding gift), and I find I use it more on the weekends when both the wife and I are home and doing our normal domestic routine (cleaning, relaxing, playing with the dog/kid).

By: David

David — Tue, 27 May 2008 00:09:36 +0000

Gang,

The Share Senseo is a great way to get started with single serve machines, but the coffee they provide is TERRIBLE. Make sure to find some good “aftermarket” coffee pods to really see what a pod machine can do :-)

There are lots of sources for after-market pods (disclosure: including my own site, http://www.bettercoffee.com/ where we sell over 180 varieties — most with customer reviews and rankings.)

For most folks, the local Target sells “Archer Farms” brand in about 13 varieties; these pods are quite good. Also check out singleservecoffeeforums.com for etailer links and reviews. A google search for “coffee pods” also turns up lots of vendors.

Look for coffee pod vendors that offer free samples, sampler packs, or single pods for sale. Find your perfect cup and enjoy it every time!

I hope that helps (and I hope it’s not too spammy :-)

Thanks!

–David
http://www.bettercoffee.com/

By: Tammy Lenski

Tammy Lenski — Mon, 26 May 2008 22:47:47 +0000

I want to echo the recommendation of the ScanSnap. I bought one about 6 months ago and have been so pleased with how much more paperless my office has become. And it doesn’t take up much desktop real estate.

The other upgrade that’s made a difference to me, a tea drinker, is a plugin teapot. It boils much faster than stovetop and takes less energy. Mine’s a Braun.

By: Sparky Firepants

Sparky Firepants — Mon, 26 May 2008 21:48:14 +0000

I’m totally there with the coffee thermos. Actually, I did that even at The Corporation®. I’ll brew a bistro (French Press) and it stays hot for about 4-6 hours in a little Starbucks thermos.

The best upgrade for my personal work space is a Target room dividing screen. My studio is off the kitchen, divided from the other room by two IKEA bookcases and the folding divider.

I didn’t need sound blocked (got my $80 JBL ‘phones from Amazon for $25), but I did need to get rid of the visual distractions of kids walking back and forth past my space.

The divider does the trick and adds an air of “zen meditation center.”

Cost? Free. Somebody was throwing it out. A perfectly good, solid cherry wood divider. The productivity boost from using their trash in my work space has been awesome.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Mon, 26 May 2008 21:08:31 +0000

Two monitors is a must!