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I do write code that requires uninterrupted concentration for stretches - but I can get into the zone from anywhere. This week I had some of my best sessions a

by mrtron 17y ago

I do write code that requires uninterrupted concentration for stretches - but I can get into the zone from anywhere. This week I had some of my best sessions at a loud coffee shop. I don't want to be in a sensory deprivation chamber for hours. Lately I have also been working tightly collaboratively on projects for over a year - and find sitting in the same room with the person quite helpful. Communication is more challenging than focus - isn't it?

rbritton 17y ago
There's a difference between the droning white noise of conversations not fighting for your attention and having people pester you directly because they want to ask you a question and have zero respect for your zone. Your coffee shop is an example of the former, but I believe the parent to your post is talking about the latter.
- pasbesoin 17y ago
  Also, not everyone is the same. I welcome collaboration, but when I'm working on my own, I need the isolation. I don't spend all my time in isolation. But I need to be able to shut the door and make the rest of the world go away. After a while, I'll open it and come back out. The worst is tuning out crap taking place 3 - 5 feet away from me, in which I have no part. All the more so when it is fellow employees socializing, while I'm trying to get stuff done and maybe waiting on work from them, as well. And I agree, when the background noise becomes a din with little in the way of distinguishable, coherent threads, that's a lot better for me than a conversation or two, each of which is largely or completely intelligible (if not always intelligent).
brc 17y ago
I don't know how anyone can be productive coding at a coffee shop with an uncomfortable chair and a laptop keyboard and screen. Sounds like hell on earth to me. Give me a door and some widescreens anyday.
mecloran 17y ago
We are worried that the houses contribute to isolation almost too much. But they are designed to have teams roll them into circles so the windows line up, but not directly. So your line of site to the left and right is clear of distraction, but merely leaning forward let's you speak with team members on either side. Trying to find that right balance between instant collaboration and total isolation. :) We also can park a table with chairs in the middle of the circle and since every house has a 4x8 whiteboard on the front, you have a whiteboard lined conference room for the project team that is about 8 steps away from your chair.

by mrtron 17y ago

rbritton 17y ago

There's a difference between the droning white noise of conversations not fighting for your attention and having people pester you directly because they want to ask you a question and have zero respect for your zone. Your coffee shop is an example of the former, but I believe the parent to your post is talking about the latter.

pasbesoin 17y ago
Also, not everyone is the same. I welcome collaboration, but when I'm working on my own, I need the isolation. I don't spend all my time in isolation. But I need to be able to shut the door and make the rest of the world go away. After a while, I'll open it and come back out. The worst is tuning out crap taking place 3 - 5 feet away from me, in which I have no part. All the more so when it is fellow employees socializing, while I'm trying to get stuff done and maybe waiting on work from them, as well. And I agree, when the background noise becomes a din with little in the way of distinguishable, coherent threads, that's a lot better for me than a conversation or two, each of which is largely or completely intelligible (if not always intelligent).

brc 17y ago

I don't know how anyone can be productive coding at a coffee shop with an uncomfortable chair and a laptop keyboard and screen. Sounds like hell on earth to me. Give me a door and some widescreens anyday.

mecloran 17y ago

We are worried that the houses contribute to isolation almost too much. But they are designed to have teams roll them into circles so the windows line up, but not directly. So your line of site to the left and right is clear of distraction, but merely leaning forward let's you speak with team members on either side. Trying to find that right balance between instant collaboration and total isolation. :) We also can park a table with chairs in the middle of the circle and since every house has a 4x8 whiteboard on the front, you have a whiteboard lined conference room for the project team that is about 8 steps away from your chair.