Surrounded by computing devices

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

My MacBook Pro cost me close to a lakh of rupees less than a couple of years ago. I use it all the time. I don’t know if I’ll ever spend that much on a single computer again.

My life is increasingly more dominated by some form of computing interface. My work involves a computer, as does my photography, entertainment, and increasingly so, even my reading. Being able to switch contexts while looking at the same screen, however, is not getting any easier. Flitting from one context to another is increasingly effortless, and staying focused with something dreary increasingly harder.

The answer, it seems, is to surround myself with multiple computers, each dedicated to a specific context.

deepix — Feb 27, 2008 8:57:59 PM — # ↩

Perhaps you can try fixing the focus part within you? I know it's not easy, but I've been trying.
- Kiran Jonnalagadda — Feb 28, 2008 8:29:36 AM — # ↩
  
  That helps, but only to an extent. Working on a single computer is a lot like running a home office out of one's bedroom. Distinguishing between work and relaxation mode is harder, and there's also the desire for an occasional change in scenery that muddles the contexts.
  
  This comment comes via my phone's mobile browser, where I spend much time these days. The restricted interface makes it easy to indulge in certain activities while staying off others.
vaibhav — Feb 28, 2008 1:12:01 AM — # ↩

I tried that and am currently handling 3 laptops and one desktop.

* Macbook with music, pictures, IM, personal email/data and shell to personal servers

* Old (but still current H/W) thinkpad with serial access to Cisco devices at work and also my HAM station

* Work laptop with access to work VPN, IM, email and wireless networks

* Desktop with multiple screens running the heavier stuff like Unreal Tournament 2007 and Flight Simulator X

Not very pretty to handle on one desk.
- ravi — Feb 28, 2008 2:18:16 AM — # ↩
  
  Get a second desk?
  - vaibhav — Feb 28, 2008 2:20:19 AM — # ↩
    
    At work, yes. Not at home. With the space restricted expensive housing in CA, I might have to give up some of my activities. :(
ravi — Feb 28, 2008 2:18:29 AM — # ↩

Wow
You're alllllllive!!!!
- Kiran Jonnalagadda — Feb 28, 2008 8:31:16 AM — # ↩
  
  Re: Wow
  Someone stuck a pair of electrodes in me and kept turning up the voltage until I agreed to make a post again.
sidcarter — Feb 28, 2008 9:54:36 AM — # ↩

I read "I want more computers and gadgets" :)
- Kiran Jonnalagadda — Feb 28, 2008 11:51:14 AM — # ↩
  
  And "we'll make intellectual sounding excuses to justify it".
kingsly — Feb 28, 2008 10:00:36 PM — # ↩

I'm not sure having multiple computers is the answer..

I find FVWM's Desktop/Page system effective in maintaining context/focus. Switching away from my work Desktop requires me to use a particular key combination .. whereas switching between Pages of my work Desktop is much more easily done.

The only pervasive thing is amarok displaying song details on change and new IMs (I tried to keep the IMs locked to a particular desktop.. but it was counter productive.)
ankitvkc — Feb 29, 2008 4:37:15 PM — # ↩

My eyes getting strained coz I spend lots of time reading blogs (like jace's and kevin's theory.isthereason), wikipedia etc from my PC, which use to have CRT monitor and from my SEW800i. And all this visible in my userpics...the dark cicles around the eyes!!