3 ms·

Is $7k really expensive even for non-programming jobs? Assuming a 5-year lifespan, that comes at around $120/month which should be affordable to most of the dev

by csomar 5y ago

Is $7k really expensive even for non-programming jobs? Assuming a 5-year lifespan, that comes at around $120/month which should be affordable to most of the developed world. I have another theory: The reason we didn't adopt such ergonomic setups is because they look "weird". We are quite used to sitting in chairs and it's not quite far from sitting on a rock. A customized ergonomic setup will pay itself in quite a short time.

KronisLV 5y ago
Yes, it is. For that same amount of money, in my country, i could purchase 2 used cars, or just buy food for about 3 years (without eating out), or pay rent for almost 2 years. Alternatively, such a setup would cost me almost 5 month's worth of net salaries (as a software developer in one of the countries that people outsource to) and that is before any additional shipping costs. Such setups might make sense for people in the 1st world countries with decent salaries, but for me and may others who live in Eastern Europe or other countries that aren't as financially advanced, that is still a considerable sum of money. As for your point in regards to looks - i somewhat agree, however i definitely wouldn't mind such a setup in a full remote working position. Especially when eventually coupled with some high quality VR headset that would provide a passable resolution for programming (essentially at least an effective resolution of 1280x720 per virtual screen). It might be a while until that becomes feasible, if ever, though.
- oauea 5y ago
  > or pay rent for almost 2 years. What country is that?
  - KronisLV 5y ago
    Latvia. To give you some perspective, my current net salary is around 1500 euros per month ( the national average is a bit under 1000 https://tradingeconomics.com/latvia/wages https://tradingeconomics.com/latvia/wages ). Rent in an average small flat is around 300 euros, though could also reach 400 euros or more with heating expenses ( https://m.ss.lv/lv/real-estate/flats/riga/all/fDgTeF4RAzp4FD4eHTwT.html https://m.ss.lv/lv/real-estate/flats/riga/all/fDgTeF4RAzp4FD... some of these adverts list daily prices though ). Regardless, 7000 USD is around 5900 EUR, so 5900/300 = almost 20 months of rent covered. This also assumes no shipping costs, which might add a bit more.
ecshafer 5y ago
This is the most out of touch comment I have seen in a long time, even for hackernews. A lot of people with office jobs are making $35k-$40k a year. You're talking about 1/4th of their take home salary, and $120 a month is an expense that at least 50% of America couldn't afford and most don't have $7k on hand to blow.
- csomar 5y ago
  If you get a 10% gain in productivity, the chair/desk already paid for itself. It also replaces both a chair and a desk, so the total cost is less than $7k. > You're talking about 1/4th of their take home salary Over a life span of 5 years, that's less than a 10% of take-home salary. Non-Ergonomic chairs have a high future cost for your health but I guess doing that math is not humans strongest feature.
  - railsgirls112 5y ago
    10% gain in productivity =/= 10% gain in compensation, most people already have a chair/desk so replacing their function does not automatically make it cheaper. Seems like you're doing more of a math problem instead of applying this to actual people.

by csomar 5y ago

KronisLV 5y ago

Yes, it is. For that same amount of money, in my country, i could purchase 2 used cars, or just buy food for about 3 years (without eating out), or pay rent for almost 2 years. Alternatively, such a setup would cost me almost 5 month's worth of net salaries (as a software developer in one of the countries that people outsource to) and that is before any additional shipping costs. Such setups might make sense for people in the 1st world countries with decent salaries, but for me and may others who live in Eastern Europe or other countries that aren't as financially advanced, that is still a considerable sum of money. As for your point in regards to looks - i somewhat agree, however i definitely wouldn't mind such a setup in a full remote working position. Especially when eventually coupled with some high quality VR headset that would provide a passable resolution for programming (essentially at least an effective resolution of 1280x720 per virtual screen). It might be a while until that becomes feasible, if ever, though.

oauea 5y ago
> or pay rent for almost 2 years. What country is that?
- KronisLV 5y ago
  Latvia. To give you some perspective, my current net salary is around 1500 euros per month ( the national average is a bit under 1000 https://tradingeconomics.com/latvia/wages https://tradingeconomics.com/latvia/wages ). Rent in an average small flat is around 300 euros, though could also reach 400 euros or more with heating expenses ( https://m.ss.lv/lv/real-estate/flats/riga/all/fDgTeF4RAzp4FD4eHTwT.html https://m.ss.lv/lv/real-estate/flats/riga/all/fDgTeF4RAzp4FD... some of these adverts list daily prices though ). Regardless, 7000 USD is around 5900 EUR, so 5900/300 = almost 20 months of rent covered. This also assumes no shipping costs, which might add a bit more.

ecshafer 5y ago

This is the most out of touch comment I have seen in a long time, even for hackernews. A lot of people with office jobs are making $35k-$40k a year. You're talking about 1/4th of their take home salary, and $120 a month is an expense that at least 50% of America couldn't afford and most don't have $7k on hand to blow.

csomar 5y ago
If you get a 10% gain in productivity, the chair/desk already paid for itself. It also replaces both a chair and a desk, so the total cost is less than $7k. > You're talking about 1/4th of their take home salary Over a life span of 5 years, that's less than a 10% of take-home salary. Non-Ergonomic chairs have a high future cost for your health but I guess doing that math is not humans strongest feature.
- railsgirls112 5y ago
  10% gain in productivity =/= 10% gain in compensation, most people already have a chair/desk so replacing their function does not automatically make it cheaper. Seems like you're doing more of a math problem instead of applying this to actual people.