64 replies to this topic

[prawin]

[I think there's a limit where adding more monitors will no longer increase productivity ...

It will depend on the body movements (Ergonomy) and the thinking speed ( Responsive Brain)


Just my opinion


Prawin

[ChipJohns]

I think it is interesting that the dual monitor set up is spreading to just about all areas of business. Other than the many monitors you will see in the corporate computer room to monitor everything that is going on, one of the first places we seen the setup was with video editing. This then spread to graphics users, etc. But the business world stayed clear of the idea until recenlty.

The insurance industry is one of many that has wholeheartedly embraced the idea, and more and more insurance agencies are using the set up. Here is an article from a magazine called RoughNotes, an insurance industry trade Journal. Dual Monitors

[ginginca]

I have had two monitors for many years and feel lost when I sit at a computer with one one. I use two 17's - one CRT and one LCD so I can see the colour difference as needed - but the primary reason is to expand my desktop.

When I run Adobe Premiere I can't work in a one-monitor set-up.

[the_host]

Im hoping to get a second monitor soon. Im not sure how long it will take me to get used to though, Ive always had one monitor so this will be new and strange to me

[Jill]

Welcome the_host!

[ChipJohns]

When I run Adobe Premiere I can't work in a one-monitor set-up.

Oh goodness ginginca, I use two monitor setup with Premier as well. It just made me think about a class I taught at EEI communications in Alexandria VA, for Premiere and AfterEffects. Some of the classrooms were set up so that I had to use 800 x 600 because of the projection screen.

Imagine running Premiere, or worse yet AfterEffects on one monitor at 800 x 600. A big difference after using two monitors plus an ntsc monitor for playback during post.

[Plankie]

I have a dual 19" CRT setup but I am convinced that I need this setup below with the 30" screen in the middle. Just $7500 + a good PC $4000.

Just have to convince my boss....

[mal4mac]

Tell him it would save desk space if secretaries shared monitors :-)

[madams]

Tried it!

Love it!

Cost me €5 for a graphics card cable adapter

Took me 1 minute to set up

The result is absolutely BRILLIANT, FANTASTIC, SUPERCOLORFRAGILISTICEXPIALYDOTIOUS!

[Randy]

Pretty amazing what that little bit extra space can do for you, hunh?

Seriously, for me the 2nd monitor is a blessing. I do 99% of my work in my main monitor, so I don't fully utilize my dual monitor setup. My 2nd monitor normally just has stuff that I monitor (pun intended) many times during the day. Several server monitors, my MSN and AIM, etc. Nothing drop dead important necessarily, but stuff I always have running.

It's just easier to glance over and check some things quickly than it is to pull up one of the 20-30 windows I seem to always have open. I could easily have that stuff running on an old 15" CRT if I didn't happen to have a spare LCD to use.

[sweepthelegnate]

Tell him it would save desk space if secretaries shared monitors :-)

a short video about what happens when you share monitors close enough

[qwerty]

Bound to happen

All of this is reminding me of "The New York Experience." Does anybody remember that? It was this big multimedia show about the history of the Big Town that ran for a years in the basement of the McGraw Hill building during the 1970s -- I think for the whole decade.

People would line up all day to get into this show that was about 45 minutes of NYiana, coming at you from multiple screens, speakers all around you, and a few things flying around over your head.

They had those great TV commercials that were popular with Broadway shows at the time -- they'd set up cameras at the exit and interview people as they came out:

"Awl dose lights and awl dose screens! I nevvuh seen anyting like it! Da Noo Yawk Ixperi-ince is moynd bawggling!!"

[MaKa]

I can remember reading an old thread about dual monitors on highrankings, which recommended specific software to use. As I've recently bought a new computer and an additional monitor, I'm looking for software for Windows XP that makes it easier to work with two screens.

Is there something that allows you to extend the task bar to the second monitor and remember when you start specific software that it should go to your second screen?

[Randy]

There are several options depending upon your hardware (read Graphics Card) and what you need MaKa. Many of the dual monitor graphics card manufacturers make available little software packages that will unleash the power of dual monitors. For instance, if you happen to have a nVidia card you may find exactly what you want here.

Of the third party applications I've tinkered with, the best in the Free catagory is Oscar's. Being free it does have a few limitations, but it's still a good package.

In the Pay category the best I've found is UltraMon. It costs $40 and is worth every penny IMO. Been using it for a year or more now and am very pleased. I'm pretty sure they have a 30 day trial you can download the try out if it looks like it'll do the job for you.

[madams]

I havent got any special software MaKa but if I drag a program

window to the second monitor it defults back to that monitor at launch that program.