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Anyone else amazed at all the single-monitor set ups? When I'm doing any web coding, I go crazy if I have to constantly switch between code and browser(s). As

Anyone else amazed at all the single-monitor set ups? When I'm doing any web coding, I go crazy if I have to constantly switch between code and browser(s). As cheap as monitors are these days, I'm amazed anyone still programs on just one.

Herring 18y ago
Is it much of an improvement over multiple desktops? I hear leopard has them now.
- showerst 18y ago
  Personally I'd say it saves me a few hours a month: A little by not constantly fumbling around switching apps, and (much more significantly) it makes fixing some bugs easier because you can see the effects of your code and your code at the same time, so there's no need to mentally 'flip' from 'coding' mode to 'web site evaluating' mode. And with three monitors editing an image->uploading the image->updating html/css->viewing the web page becomes one seamless workflow. I think that I'm probably on the extreme end, but when I can I code with three monitors, a 22" widescreen for code & ftp or versioning, 22" widescreen for photoshop or illustrator, and 'normal' 19" for browsers (since it's much closer to the average use). Newegg.com currently sells a nice 22" LCD for under $200, so if it saves a programmer at normal US wages 2-6 hours lifetime, it's paid for. It strikes me as a no brainer.
scorxn 18y ago
I think it's funny that after working on a dual head, people tend to forget about window management and maximize everything, then get upset when faced with one screen. I much prefer one (giant) screen with tiled windows. It just feels more elegant and flexible. Also, get yourself a web editor with live page rendering built in. Coda and Dreamweaver CS4 use WebKit. It saves a ton of switching time.
tptacek 18y ago
I have a 25" on my desk, and a Macbook; I use the monitor maybe 30% of the time. I want my workflow to work no matter where I am, so I try not to build habits that require a monitor. We're doing a 2.0 product launch this week, so I've been spending some time in Photoshop and CSSEdit; for web design, I can see "no monitor" as a dealbreaker. For coding, I'm just as efficient on my laptop's small screen.

Herring 18y ago

Is it much of an improvement over multiple desktops? I hear leopard has them now.

showerst 18y ago
Personally I'd say it saves me a few hours a month: A little by not constantly fumbling around switching apps, and (much more significantly) it makes fixing some bugs easier because you can see the effects of your code and your code at the same time, so there's no need to mentally 'flip' from 'coding' mode to 'web site evaluating' mode. And with three monitors editing an image->uploading the image->updating html/css->viewing the web page becomes one seamless workflow. I think that I'm probably on the extreme end, but when I can I code with three monitors, a 22" widescreen for code & ftp or versioning, 22" widescreen for photoshop or illustrator, and 'normal' 19" for browsers (since it's much closer to the average use). Newegg.com currently sells a nice 22" LCD for under $200, so if it saves a programmer at normal US wages 2-6 hours lifetime, it's paid for. It strikes me as a no brainer.

scorxn 18y ago

I think it's funny that after working on a dual head, people tend to forget about window management and maximize everything, then get upset when faced with one screen. I much prefer one (giant) screen with tiled windows. It just feels more elegant and flexible. Also, get yourself a web editor with live page rendering built in. Coda and Dreamweaver CS4 use WebKit. It saves a ton of switching time.

tptacek 18y ago

I have a 25" on my desk, and a Macbook; I use the monitor maybe 30% of the time. I want my workflow to work no matter where I am, so I try not to build habits that require a monitor. We're doing a 2.0 product launch this week, so I've been spending some time in Photoshop and CSSEdit; for web design, I can see "no monitor" as a dealbreaker. For coding, I'm just as efficient on my laptop's small screen.