How do you setup your home office?

2015-02-02T10:01:50-05:00

Do you work from home frequently? If you have a good home office setup, share how you set it up. Seeking your input as to the best desks, monitors, chairs, etc.
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Back story: with storms, chaotic schedule, and demanding academics, I spend more and more time working from home. I have dual monitors and a kneeling stool, but also like to stand when taking phone calls. At this time, I cannot find a suitable desk /setup.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Feb 2 at 2015 10:51 AM

2015-02-02T10:51:02-05:00

Mine is nothing special, just my Mac[*], a cheap wood/pressboard desk, an office depot chair, a really cheap particleboard bookshelf (one of the $10-15 ones that slide together), a one drawer file cabinet, with an HP inkjet printer[**], a surge protector, one cork board, and a couch & end table. A clock and a couple of pictures on the wall. After the computer, the most expensive things are the printer & the couch - both under $250.

I would like to go back to a kneeling chair (used to have one & loved it) and/or a standing workstation (had one at my civ job for the last 12+ years). Maybe the next time I focus on the house...

The #1 item that the home office has is.... a door. That's what pulls it all together!!!

[*] I have a windows machine in my workout room for when I absolutely, positively, really have to do Army stuff from home. I did the VM thing on the Mac for a while, but it was too much of a pain in the a$$. Otherwise, this box just steams netflix/hulu while I'm on the treadmill. Normally doesn't even have a chair.
[**] For serious printing the laser printer is right next to the windows machine.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 2 at 2015 11:03 AM

2015-02-02T11:03:32-05:00

I've found that dual monitors is extremely helpful to the point of essential. Bigger the better. 3 if you can handle it.

Desk space big enough to work off of, but small enough that you can't leave paper on. Paper is your enemy. Any paper that sits there more than 15~ minutes will sit there forever.

A good chair.

I keep my Mac on an elevated stand, and use that as an ad hoc server, while I use my primary to do the majority of my work. This keeps the primary from getting bogged down if I need to download something, convert docs, or do something a little more resource intensive. It also gives me another backup.

Backups, backups, backups. I've had catastrophic hard drive failures (lightning strike, which took out the UPS, and the surge). Luckily, I had an up to the hour backup. It took longer to get my mac fixes than it did to restore my system.

Scanner/Printer with a feed tray (and USB input). I avoid printing where I can, but man, the ability to scan & Efax is nice. Using the USB to drop things directly onto a drive is also really really nice. I'm currently using an HP 8600 (laser). You can also print directly from your phone, wherever you are.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Feb 2 at 2015 11:26 AM

2015-02-02T11:26:05-05:00

I have a 10x9 foot office off the back of our florida room. An 'L' shaped desk, 2 file cabinets, 2 shelving units. A battery back-up surge protector (essential in Florida) an HP officejet Pro 8600, Intel core i5 @2x3.3Ghz w/ 16Gb ran running Win7 Untimate, neat receipt machine, office depot desk, Sam's filing cabinets, the obligatory state posters and wall crap for business, a clock, desk lamp, books, manuals and necessary pest management data to comply with state requirements & I'm one up on COL Vincent Stoneking because I have two doors :).

Response by SGT Brian Richardson made Feb 2 at 2015 11:28 AM

2015-02-02T11:28:09-05:00

I don't have dual monitors, but I do have a large 27" one. It allows me to open and arrange multiple windows/programs. I like being able to split the screen in half with two programs (Windows 7 capability) and see them both right in front of me.

I have 2 voip phones. But be sure your internet UPLOAD speed is fast enough to handle them. I sit at my desk, but have a standing level desk behind me that is large enough to work at (3'x7') that makes it nice to spread out some projects.

A battery backup is important to me. If the power goes out. It gives me time to finish what I am doing and close/save it before everything shuts down. I use dropbox for just about anything I save. That way if something goes wrong with a computer, I haven't lost anything. I also use box.com for personal/family photos that I do not access as often as daily word/excel documents. That way I do not have to pay for a larger dropbox service.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Feb 2 at 2015 11:31 AM

2015-02-02T11:31:40-05:00

I have a simple private office with a private bathroom, mini fridge and small microwave. Laptop setup for dual monitors, real keyboard and mouse, multi function printer, good comfy chair with a small ottoman under my desk, small TV for white noise. Basically once I go in, I don't NEED to come out.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 11:50 AM

2015-02-02T11:50:24-05:00

Unfortunately, my home office will be in the living room due to space considerations. I am concerned about disruptions since the living room is where life happens.

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Feb 2 at 2015 12:21 PM

2015-02-02T12:21:40-05:00

Converted a bedroom to office, typical desk, bookshelf in the corner with a wireless printer, scan,fax - lap-top with 3 additional monitors (with stand does not take up desk space), traditional keyboard with CAC card reader, mouse. Tablet that is linked to computer - no file cabinet - everything is scanned to cloud...simple comfortable chair, tv/music and a phone.

nothing special

i would say that is you use white boards - I ordered a "white board" from Fat Head - it sticks on the wall- can be removed with not mess...it is great - and I use it. As for time management I use a informant program that keeps me on track. it is an app but being linked to my computer I never miss meetings, calls etc. it is my personal assistant