Hi folks,

This might be kinda off topic, but I'm designing a computer desk or
room layout for my home office... and I'd like suggestions of others
who have tackled this.

I do web programming, so I have 3 computers with 4 monitors plus a
laptop. The room is 16 feet by 16 feet, and I have two closets.
Idealy the desk will take-up almost two full walls (including corner)
with desk space plus shelves. I also want to pull-up the carpet and
put-in a wooden floor so my chair will roll easier.

Can someone suggest a book or website that covers such projects? Or
if someone has done something similar, can you send suggestions or
photos?

I can do the wood work myself, but the planning is what I'm having
trouble with. Thanks in advance, and take care,

Alex.

On 20 Feb 2004 08:01:35 -0800, Alex <alex@totallynerd.com> wrote:

Sheeze! You should really get a KVM switch or something. Would save you
a *ton* of space.

Grey

--
The technical axiom that nothing is impossible sinisterly implies the
pitfall corollory that nothing is ridiculous.
- http://www.greywyvern.com - Orca RingMaker: PHP web ring creation and
management

Way down deep in the middle of the congo, Alex and a hippo took an apricot a
guava and a mango. Stuck it with the others and he danced a dainty tango...

*grumble*

--
Dale,
www.oxygenkiosk.net
Now playing: Winamp stopped

Having a number of computers an monitors hooked up in my home office, I went
with two 8' long fold-up type tables in an L shape against two walls. Now I
can roll my chair along the length of the two tables since underneath is all
open space. I have 3 full size tower systems (server, workstation, test
bed) and I positioned them at the ends and one where the tables form the L
(in the corner). Lots of workspace (which is always full of something) and
lots of room on top for 19" monitors and keyboards. I also have a KVM
switch and it's laying over in the corner someplace since it tended to
create more problems than it solved.

You can get these tables (brown colored tops) at Office Supply stores (or
variants of them) at other places for around $50. Now make yourself a real
desk and plop it in the middle of the room for your "thinking spot". Get
WiFi for the network and your laptop and you're in tall grass!

Bob S.


"Alex" <alex@totallynerd.com> wrote in message
news:2ba4b4eb.0402200801.4160faa4@posting.google.c om...

"Alex" <alex@totallynerd.com> wrote in message
news:2ba4b4eb.0402200801.4160faa4@posting.google.c om...
You might want to check out the "cheap jewel case" section of your local
software store (or big electronics store if they have one) and look for some
of the cheap CAD programs out there (usually run you less than $15)

You can then pretty much enter the dimensions of your room, closets, where
windows and sockets are placed, etc... and then work on a layout using
different sizes/shapes of desks, filing cabinets, etc

Without knowing exactly what you do, its hard to suggest too much...

You can save alot of space by getting a switch for your monitors... if you
do most of your work on the laptop and use the PCs for hosting and running
applications then you probably just need 1 monitor and a switch that will
let you view all 4 screens at once (the 3 PCs and the 1 laptop) and then if
you need to, you can switch to a specific monitor if that computer needs
your attention.
If you do most of your work on a PC, use the laptop for presentations and
the other 2 PCs are used as servers, then you probably just need to set up
the server PCs on a switch so you can monitor them, keep the laptop aside on
a shelf for when you need it and then another monitor for your actual work.

By using either 1 monitor and the laptop, or 2 monitors and putting the
laptop aside, you can save alot of desk space and so you would only need a
desk that is 6' wide at the most (maybe more if you have a bunch of desktop
folder items, lamp, etc) and then everything else you can pretty much put on
shelving in the corners or closet.

alex@totallynerd.com (Alex) wrote in message news:<2ba4b4eb.0402200801.4160faa4@posting.google. com>...
Alex,

Take your digital camera to Staples or Officemax and snap away. Tell
them you wanted to take some pictures so your wife can give her
opinion before you buy. They won't hassle you at all.

I didn't do this when I BOUGHT my office desk and I've regretted it
every since. SWMBO thought I had too many projects going and pushed
me to buy instead of making it myself. I bought an O'Sullivan and it
is total crap, but I did realize when it eventually breaks or cracks
or whatever, I will have an excellent template for the new one.

Chuck

Alex wrote:
Dump any servers, routers, switches into the garage or under the stairs.
You don't need to sit by them and you can remote if necessary.

Run 3-compartment plastic trunking along the walls - either over or under
your desk - into this run a clean power supply and your network cables.
Install about 3 times as many power sockets as you think you will need and
at least twice as many network sockets.

You will need holes in the desk for cables - best size in the uk is 63.5mm -
at roughly 1m intervals.

The only tricky bit is connecting your office area to the server area, but
it sounds like you have practical skills.

Office chairs will wreck a wooden floor in no time - use a stronger covering
if you want to keep it nice.

--
William Tasso

I live and breathe with computers as tools for my work, but I do not
program. We've been living with furniture called "computer desks" from the
mid-80's when a PC was a major expense, monitors were big, and the CPU box
was big. Therefore, everything was built around it. I find that I no longer
want my computer to be the center of my desk. I want some broad and wide
horizontal space (sounds like a workbench, eh?). I sold my mega-sized
corner computer desk and replaced it with a large executive desk. Next up is
replacing the 19" monitor with an appropriate LCD panel.

Lastly, something I did a few years ago was get rid the contraption called a
keyboard drawer. They are ergonometrically unsound and inconvenient. I
discovered an articulating keyboard tray that tilts and adjusts height
without any knobs to tighten or loosen. You just grab the front edge of the
tray, tilt back slightly and you can raise or lower it, slide it in or out,
or even fold it up under the desk. It will bolt to the underside of any desk
or table and it leaves the desk top complete free and clear for paper work.
I'm 5'11". I adjust it for me. My wife is 5" 1". She can sit down and
quickly move the tray to her height in 3 seconds.

Using LCD panels and the keyboard tray I mentioned, you don't need to design
a computer specific desk or work area. Just bolt the tray on and sit the LCD
panel in front.

Here is a link to the tray I mention. http://tinyurl.com/2gxax

The actual mechanism is available from Rockler at http://tinyurl.com/2kzos.

Bob


"Alex" <alex@totallynerd.com> wrote in message
news:2ba4b4eb.0402200801.4160faa4@posting.google.c om...

Bob S. wrote:

That kinda reminds me of my old setup: Pre-formed laminated countertops
supported by file cabinets (standard and/or wide), with a rolling oak
desk chair to move from one station to another. I used cinder patio
blocks and 12" wide shelving to house my books and software and had TONs
of storage space. If you go to a RE store, you can pick up the counters
cheap ... but you didn't say if you wanted cheap or flush so YYMV.

Judy

On 20 Feb 2004 08:01:35 -0800, alex@totallynerd.com (Alex) wrote:

Depth, 32 inches, 36 inches if 19" or larger monitors. Desk top 29.5
inches off floor. Cabinets with doors (30" kitchen cabinets are fine)
26 inches above desk. Rolling file cabinets. Underdesk computer
mounts (cyberguys.com, about $30). Articulated keyboard support.
Undercabinet halogen or rope lights, indirect ceiling lighting.
Rubber wheels on that chair.

Better is switch to rack mount CPU units, a KVM switch and 21" LCD
display. Wireless keyboard/mouse/speakers and wireless network.

Jeff