Jonathan Fields gave a neat tour of his home office and invited others to do the same and share. So, I thought that sounded like fun. Obviously, this has very little to do with blogging, but it does let you see a little more into my life, so I hope you enjoy it. 
If you’re interested in any of the items shown in the video, here are some of them (these are Amazon affiliate links):
Blue Microphones Snowball USB Microphone, White
Bose Companion 2 Series II multimedia speaker system
Logitech Illuminated Ultrathin Keyboard with Backlighting
The Book of Not Knowing: Exploring the True Nature of Self, Mind, and Consciousness
Thanks for the fun idea, Jonathan!
I like the two monitors, that's pretty cool. I'm so 20th century still with just 1.
And cute card from your granddaughter. Bet you loved that.
John, that card is going in the “forever file.”
Nice, liked it a lot. I'll get you some cable ties for Christmas. Actually might get some for myself too…
LOL, yes it’s a bit of a jungle back there, innit? Cable ties presumes some
reasonable way to actually group the cables together.
OK maybe cause I grew up in Chicago and thats where my fear comes from cause it seems like a great way to itemize what the crooks can steal LOL
Yoga nearly killed me LOL but I am probably the only person with my setup (mic and 4 track digital recorder)
How does your dual monitor work it is on the same computer??? What would be a good example of it’s application?
Darren, I’ve been to Chicago many times and also gotten lost in Chicago once
or twice (that was enough), so I know what you mean. Where I live, the
burglary rate is ridiculously low.
My computer’s video card sports dual monitor jacks (actually, I forgot to
mention that I did customize it a little bit, so I guess it’s not really
“off the shelf”). So I just plug ‘em both in. It’s one continuous desktop. I
can have my FTP program and code editor both open in one monitor, and a
browser or two open in the other. Or, I could have video going on one while
I work in the other (that I almost never do because I know multitasking is a
crock).
Wow just give me a larger screen LOL
This was interesting. Now, I can imagine what it's like writing your blog posts and your course. My office space is small, actually it's tiny. It used to be a big closet, until I turned it into a tiny office. But that was the only way I would get my own office at home. Don't even have a window
I have been thinking about buying the Bose speakers, but they are a little expensive, at least here in Norway. I'm also a little envy when it comes to owning kindle. But now I'm waiting for the iPad.
I've ordered Linchpin, and will probably order The Book of Not Knowing sometimes soon (thanks for the tips).
By the way, your office looks really comfortable.
Jens, believe me, none of this was designed to make anyone envious. Before
my wife and I got divorced, we were living in separate bedrooms. She had the
room plus office which you see in the video (minus all my nerd gear). I had
a room smaller than most bathrooms and walk-in closets. Why? Chivalry. I can
be pretty damn old-school about some things. My main machine for years was a
temperamental Acer notebook that had hardware/driver conflicts. And that was
it. I built my business with that stupid little machine.
Fast forward to now: I am divorced, so now I have the big room. And by
following the same principles and ideas that I teach in my blog posts and
trainings, I was able quadruple my income and quit my day job.
I don't doubt that you can achieve your goals as well, whatever they may be.
Many folks don't even
At least you do have some space to call your own.
get that.
Plus, now I have an issue about the fact that I'll have a Kindle and an iPad
and have to figure out which one has the dang book I want to read on it. Or
be faced with having to buy books I already own all over again just because
I can't port them from one device to another (I know, I know a REAL
tragedy).
The reason I have a tiny office is because my wife and kids are using everything else, but as you say, the most important part is that I have a place to be alone and something to call my own.
But I also work in the living room, at the kitchen and in bed. I have a MacBook, so work is where ever I want it to be (or where ever my wife let me work).
I know what I'll do when I'll quit my day job, and earn enough money. Then I'll build an office in our garage. I'm really looking forward to it.
Love your set-up Michael. It's like you're me, but a lot older (sorry
). I like the books you read, the monitor set-up (I had 2 monitors at home but now I'm on laptop-only since moving to Spain in January).
I need to get myself a good keyboard so I'm definitely going to see if I can find the ultrathin here. And that microphone looks badass. Kind of reminds me of some alien, cyborg-take-over-the-world stuff, so might be scary until you get used to it.
Oh and one question… What kind of camera are you using to shoot this? Amazing quality.
That book by Peter Ralston, definitely picking it up, bookmarked. Just need to decide if I'm going to get a kindle or not.
One last thing… Yoga will blow your mind, so keep rocking it. It gets me nice, relaxed and gets the ideas flowing. Yoga is good for business.
This was awesome dude!
The camera is a Flip UltraHD. Glad you enjoyed the post!
Dude, at first I was drooling over the dual monitors, but the drunk bear orgi picture makes the whole office, lol!
I love the set up Michael (and Jonathan's idea of videoing where you work is great!)
I also liked Peldi's idea of taking a picture of all the books he has on his bookshelf (and computer). You can check out his blog post here:
http://www.balsamiq.com/blog/2009/02/06/my-book…
It would be nice if you and Jonathan (and others) do something like that.
Thanks Haider, not a bad suggestion.
Hey – thought I'd follow in yours and Jonathan's footsteps.
Here's my Great Work office: http://www.boxofcrayons.biz/2010/02/my-great-wo…
Cool, thanks for sharing that! Watched and commented.
I work from home as well, and I see two immediate contrasts with your office:
1. Toss the chair. Yes, do it – move to a standing desk. i did a few years ago and OH MY GOD! How much better I feel even after a long day working. No need for yoga – seriously. I love being freed from ass/shoulder pain. And no, you don't get tired of standing unless you're hung over.
2. Move that mouse left. Yes, use your left hand. It takes a bit of getting used to, but you'll add symmetry to your hand usage. Right now, with keyboard actions and right-handed mouse usage, you're at 70-90% right hand usage. Break that and you can skip the yoga all together.
Wayne
OK – I'm trying the left handed mouse thing now. It's killing me. But I can see your point…
Thanks for the interesting tips
Michael
Wayan, I've been thinking about raising the desks to standing height. I know
working from a standing position would be much healthier (I still need to
learn yoga). Now your story has me more excited to try it.
sweet dual monitors! I'm still rocking the dell CRT monitor.
I work from home as well, and I see two immediate contrasts with your office:
1. Toss the chair. Yes, do it – move to a standing desk. i did a few years ago and OH MY GOD! How much better I feel even after a long day working. No need for yoga – seriously. I love being freed from ass/shoulder pain. And no, you don't get tired of standing unless you're hung over.
2. Move that mouse left. Yes, use your left hand. It takes a bit of getting used to, but you'll add symmetry to your hand usage. Right now, with keyboard actions and right-handed mouse usage, you're at 70-90% right hand usage. Break that and you can skip the yoga all together.
Wayne
OK – I'm trying the left handed mouse thing now. It's killing me. But I can see your point…
Thanks for the interesting tips
Michael
sweet dual monitors! I'm still rocking the dell CRT monitor.
Wayan, I've been thinking about raising the desks to standing height. I know
working from a standing position would be much healthier (I still need to
learn yoga). Now your story has me more excited to try it.