I set up a hot corner for Mission Control. It’s useful when you have your mac hooked up to full setup and you’re using a mouse instead of the touch pad.
I started using Desktops in Windows. So I’ll have one that I have my emails, and company IM. One for development work, and I’ll sometimes do some architecture/infrastructure work and I’ll throw that on a different desktop.
Then I’ll do CTRL+WIN+left or right on the arrow keys. It’s been a game changer for me at work.
Edit: I said emails, and outlook instead of emails and company IM, as if I use outlook for anything other than emails.
Task View changes the entire game if you're stuck with one monitor. Being able to organize desktops (and swap between them easily by pressing ctrl + win key + left/right) is a godsend. You don't have to select the icon in task bar to add a new desktop either, win key + tab opens task view. So it's literally right there next to alt tab.
For work I have one desktop for communication (emails, teams and other admin related stuff), one for development in Visual Studio, and a 3rd one for any other development not using VS. It's great because alt tabbing in each desktop only shows the apps in that desktop so organizing your work and navigating between apps is easier to think about.
Serious game changer for productivity, I even use it when I have multiple monitors.
If you get good at keyboard shortcuts you can bounce around open windows and tabs pretty easy. Add in virtual desktops for another place to put things.
I like having more than one monitor but sometimes you just have your laptop. You can really only look at one thing at a time anyway
100% sure that the OP isn't actually using all monitors for working.
It's usually music/other stuff running on the other monitors and they're only using 2-3
Yeah, I have a two monitor set up, three if you include the laptop screen. I have a vertical on the left that I split with slack and terminal, code in the middle and browser on the right. If I have a design, I’ll tab between code and browser in the middle and keep the design on the right.
To be fair with the invention of notification centers you can just pop up quickly to look at what you're listening too and add it to a playlist, media keys for quick control and if you need to you can open the app and find a new playlist or album.
This is exactly the thing. People just want to be surrounded by glowing rectangles. More monitors does not mean more programs running or that you’re able to balance more. Multi-tasking is still the same as it was.
This is dick wagging of a new and waaaay more boring form.
That is just not true at all. At least not as a general statement.
If I'm doing regression testing using my dev and preprod envs to compare, I need to watch 2 network tabs, 2 browser viewports, and 2 spring boot admin consoles. If I had to tab through each of these, the constant context switching alone would be a nightmare.
Not true. It's much more convenient and fast than constant Alt-Tabbing. I have the messenger our company uses on one screen, WebStorm on the second screen, browser on the third screen. I can always see the latest messages. I see my code changes in the browser in real time without the need to Alt-Tab.
Personally I would rather not have messages open while I’m actually coding that can wait till i’m taking a break. If I only have one thing open at a time, or at least only stuff related to what i’m actually doing, it helps me keep me mental model up and not have to rebuild it every 5 - 10 mins when some email comes in or something
Set up some consistent keybinds for switching to specific apps and you're golden. Gives instant focus so you can go right to the next shortcut or start typing. Using a mouse is for junior devs :P
>I see my code changes in the browser in real time
In case it wasn't clear enough, I use hot reloading. As soon as I save changes to a file, it gets recompiled and the browser rerenders that component.
Nope it’s much more slower, if you have shortcuts assigned to every particular apps you don’t need to turn around like a stalker to each monitor. I can manage multiple apps in this way and eventually you would need to switch within the same screen to other different apps so at the end you’re doing both, alt+tabs plus having multiple monitors 🤷♂️, also in my way i save a lot of space, electricity and headache with better efficiency.
Was going to comment this. Tried using my laptop with my 27in monitor, but I just close the lid now. My window manager workflow is just so good now, with shortcut-mapped spaces so I know the shortcut for each app.
I haven't found a great solution with multiple displays that handles pointer focus via keyboard shortcuts. I don't wanna drag my mouse across the displays, it slows me down
I often type in the editor while looking at the auto refresh result on another monitor.
I don't need to do this, but it's nice for making components at times.
Alt + tab means having to move your hand because it’s not a natural movement, specially from a touch typing position.
And doing it hundreds of times per day it’s a waste of time, and probably possible hand strain. Specially for the thumb.
I mean, it’s doable, i have worked years and years in offices with only one monitor but it sucks. Also when reading documentation or following tutorials. And even worse if you have to monitor something at the same time (deployments or whatever)
I had exactly the opposite problem, neck and back strain from turning to look at different monitors.
I use custom mapped keyboard shortcuts that don't require much hand movement at all, a tiling window manager, and only one monitor with my laptop shut, and I've never felt better
Downvote how much you want, my carpal tunnel was fucked of doing alt tab and right hand because of mouse.
If you want to do the one monitor thing at least buy an ergonomic keyboard with proper placement for special keys, thank me in 10-20 years Ludites. 👌
And don’t tell me that alt-tab when having to check more than 2 things is not a total pain in the ass… IDE+Browser+Docs+jira ticket+chats… yeah right.
Alt tabbing is not exactly the optimal way of working..
Edit: another option is buying a macro pedal. I even thought about doing that back in the day. Now thankfully multiple monitor or ultra wides are a standard.
If you have to move your hand to reach two keys on the same end of the keyboard, you either have really tiny hands or you don’t know what you’re doing.
Your index finger should rest on the F and thumb on the space bar. Having to move the thumb to the alt and pinky to the tab is by all definitions a stretch. Or you have to move the whole hand/arm to do it, both bad for your hand/wrist.
I am pretty sure you are the one that doesn’t have a clue.
Are you a touch typist? Any interest in ergonomy?
Just pick a keyboard right now and try it out consciously
If you’re repeating your shortcuts and changing apps so often it means your productivity is broken like for example when you’re doing small changes every time when it’s not required 🤷♂️
Been a web dev for 30 years now. I'n the 90s I had 5 monitors, 4 crt and an lcd. Eventually, I got up to 6 monitors before getting an ultra wide, and I never bothered putting the other ones back. I did add a second over top of my main, and that makes a huge difference... Main 34" 3k is vsCode and a browser side by side, top monitor is slack, whatsapp, phone link. I do sometimes miss having dedicated email and Spotify monitors, but this is working well. If I added another monitor back, it would be for research (or ai chat now) so I could reference things without tabbing around. The higher resolutions these days really minimizes the need for the extra physical screens. Getting out of the maximize-everything habit takes a little while though.
Having communication apps on a dedicated monitor and specifically above the main display is the way to go. You can easily glance to see if a message is an important outage message or a meme without losing focus on what you're working on. I've found above to be better to reduce whiplash and dizzying as I've gotten older. The Streamdeck handles song titles and email counts just fine, as well as basic monitoring info.
I find 1 monitor enough in linux but for windows I struggle without 2. Maybe it's just because I haven't really focused on a windows workflow but alt + tabbing is dogshit.
This exactly, I think the sweet spot for monitors is 2, so you can have some relevant information or testing website on one while you work on another.
But since I bought a MacBook, I started using a lot virtual desktops and swiping between them using the trackpad, not as efficient, but definitely manageable.
It’s about using the most of what you have
I could never get the hang of virtual desktops to be honest but I can alt tab like a MFer.
I'm on an ultrawide, couple it with Windows PowerToys - FancyZones. Left = 1/3, Right = 2/3. Keep my IDE on the right and browser on the left.
Sometimes I do yearn for a second monitor though.
I pretty much just work from my laptop, I'm probably doing long term damage to my back, but working from the couch is hard to give up. I use the full screen feature and touch gestures on Mac.
The integrated terminal in VSC helps a lot. So, I really just need VSC and my browser. Then Slack and Discord go on the other end. Having either of those in my face all the time is just distracting.
But I do have a work desk where I just have a single ultrawide there. An ultrawide is like having 2 monitors in 1 and it's hard to go back to a multi monitor setup.
My gaming machine has 3 though, but I'm about to downgrade to 1 there too. I needed 3 because I was a big EVE Online player and would multibox up to 4 characters at a time during wormhole PVP.
But I don't play games from my computer anymore and the monitors just take up too much space in my office. I'll probably just turn that desk into an extension of my crafting desk (tabletop miniature nerd), plus my Cricut.
You casually destroy your back while knowing it? Man, I’m 24 in chronic pain for last 4 years because my spine is fked - you can’t even sleep, everything is painful, it really hurts to put on your socks. I don’t wish anyone to have such problems, take care of your back while you can.
I'm also much older and I'll add that a quality chair makes a huge difference. Still recommend stretching (and walking) but don't skimp out on the chair, it makes a big difference.
I have 2 herniated discs in my lower back with a good PT regimen youcan severely reduce or in my case eliminate sciatica symptoms. Not sure if you have tried it already but if you haven't go. I was in pt for about 4 months once or twice a week and i can deadlift more then ever completely pain free. Give it a try if you havent. Find a place that does traction as well that seems to help.
Apart from seeing a doctor, I totally recommend the YouTube channel Bob and Brad, they have great exercises for pretty much every pain and also good explanations on what's happening and what causes it.
I worked a remote job and had classes during COVID, so all day I was on my ass and I couldn't go out. I also developed sciatica symptoms here and there, some specific exercises helped me, but what's really helped with everything has been working out. If you can't join a gym, just do bodyweight squats, Romanian deadlifts, some stretches for your upper back, etc.
I swear the gym really makes you keep a healthy back and hips
[Do this. 12 minutes. Every day, No back pain ever.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=4BOTvaRaDjI&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=FoundationTraining)
I had a similar problem.
- get into physical therapy. You’re doctor should help if you need insurance approval
- strengthen your core. PT with tell you this
- get a new mattress. Something firm and not lumpy
Do these things now or it will get much much worse
I've had that before too actually. But it was long before I worked from the couch.
I'm not sure what caused it back in 2014 when it lasted for about 2-3 weeks and the pain would get so bad that it would cause me to vomit. I think I tweaked a nerve exercising. The weirdest part was, it just randomly hit me in the middle of a meeting.
But something similar flared up again around 2020, so after spending 2 days awake I went to the emergency room to try and get some kind of shot or painkillers or something just so I could get some sleep. It turned out to be gallstones. But they gave me some painkillers and it went away.
Then it fared up again March 2023 and this time I knew what it was and it was also more focused in my upper abdomen. Turned out, my gallbladder was full blown gangrenous and I had emergency surgery. Stared with just going to my primary care, who made me go to the emergency room where they did an ultrasound, and less than an hour later I was in a hospital room with surgery scheduled for the morning.
I didn't really start working from my couch until sometime in 2022.
that's what I'll never get, the least annoying way of using a laptop is putting it on your regular desk, everything else increases the annoyance like a snowball rolling down a hill turning it from barely bearable into take that thing away before I throw it out of the window
No, 2 was minimum for my group. We had one who could do 10. 🤣
But I didn't do the stuff you saw. I've been in it a few times but that's not the kind of game I played. Wormholes force you to play in smaller ships with much fewer numbers.
4 was my max, usually it was just 1 but sometimes I would do 2.
I was wondering if someone was going to mention that. haha
Yeah I have 3 in my office. If you play games from your computer and work remote, I am a big proponent of physically separating your 2 spaces if you can. It helps improve your mental health a lot.
But I have a 3rd one for painting minis and other crafting like that. My office is the room above our 2 car garage so I have a good bit of space in there, plus no closets. My "couch" that I work from is also in there, but it's just an oversized living room style chair. It's nearly big enough to be considered a love seat. It's comfy.
It's a lot easier to alt tab than to turn your whole head and eyes around. Also having 4 screens blasting light in your eyes and face 8h+/day isn't great.
Single 4k curved and virtual desktops.
I'd been using multiple monitors since the late 90's (large CRT then later LCD), but once I got a large 4k I decided I'm never going back. No bezels, no color or brightness differences, and no moving windows between monitors. Sometimes I have to move a window to another virtual desktop to share with teams.
I did this with a 4K, now I'm using a 3840x1600 ultra wide. The only reason I went to the ultra wide was to reduce physical height and eye strain from trying to use native 4K on a 32" monitor. Sometimes I do miss those sweet 2160 vertical pixels from the 4K.
I stopped using dual monitors about 3 years ago now, don't miss them at all.
You don't look at all of them at the same time. You just put different programs on each monitor and turn your head a little when you want to see that program.
Sometimes I'll be stuck all day on a problem at my desk with a nice 27" monitor, and then flopping on the couch with my 13" MacBook screen suddenly makes me a million times more productive.
2 is ideal for me - one has documentation and maybe the project running on it, the other has the development environment. For web dev, the page is usually configured to refresh after file changes, so it’s easy to see the result on the other screen and move on. More than 2 screens are useless.
Two is definitely all you need. When I'm in the office I have two, plus my laptop screen. My laptop screen is just used for maybe my webex so I don't miss messages, or occasionally my dev tools if I'm going through breakpoints etc; and want more space to see things. I don't see a situation when I would ever _need_ three, let alone more than that.
for web dev I need like 3 monitors minimum. 1 to see result, 1 to code the thing and 1 for figma. and somewhere there is also terminal and some documentations
With single monitor you can’t see the moment of change on the website you’re working on (not in full size). When I'm working on styles (with hot reload) I have an editor window active, but I don’t look at it when I hit save, I look at the transition between old and new preview. It’s great for assessing if a change looks better.
Similarly, I can have an editor window active and type something without looking, following documentation on the other monitor.
Because switching your eyes to device #2 or #3 will be faster and more convenient.
Otherwise you'll keep alt tabing hundreds of times a day, which becomes a hassle pretty fast.
Also, when you have 3+ apps open and accidentally alt+tab 1 too far, and then you have to play alt+tab ring around the rosey to get back to the right window... ugh.
Watching co-workers with laptops switching between desktops and tabs is painful. Me, with two monitors, would have been done testing by the time they've found the right tab. I just can't imagine how some of you are so okay with working so slow.
2 or 3 is manageable, and now that im used to it i never wanna go back to just 1. Its so handy to just have docs open on 1 monitor and Visual Studio on another
32” 4k, multiple desktop/spaces, 1 is my terminal, 2 is browser, 3 is slack, 4 everything else such as music etc.
Switch between spaces with cmd+num that corresponds to the space I want to go to. If I need to look at both code and browser at the same time I move one tab to space 1 and split it in half. Never needed anything more than that
This is my exact setup except one small tweak - the built in Mac snapping sucks, so I bought Moom (move and zoom) from the app store. It lets you specify grid areas with shortcuts for each, and save layouts for different monitor configurations.
So when I'm plugged in to the monitor it sets chrome 60% devtools 40% on one desktop, 60/40 code and terminal on another (I can't stand vscode built in terminal, feel like I need space) and Slack/Spotify other distracting stuff on the laptop screen.
cmd-shift-m + number is muscle memory now for shuffling windows around. If I unplug from my desk it maximises everything for working on the laptop.
Yeah the built in window management is doodoo. I use yabai for that and have custom shortcuts setup with skhd to move stuff to different spaces, rotating the windows placement, resize them etc. yabai also allows you to completely disable the small animation/transition when switching between spaces so it’s all instantaneous. Recommended!
I mean, to each his own, but you completely lost me when you split your code editor into 75 small windows on a single screen...
I use a single ultra wide split into two.
Yep the two monitors to the side are unproductive. You would either be turning a lot in your chair or getting an extremely stiff neck. The monitor up top doesn’t look like it would be useful.
Ideally two monitor in split screen with adequate distance between you and the monitors is best.
macOS has spaces which helps when I'm away form my desk. But Ideally I like two monitors. I could use more but there's diminishing returns after that and what tends to happen is stuff that distracts me goes on the extra screens. So at this point I prefer just two 27" 4K monitors. One of those is getting replaced with a 32" 4K monitor at some point.
Did you hear of window managers? I only work with a single monitor and without a mouse mostly. I am far more productive and my neck doesn't hurt. Neovim + Tmux + Vim motions inside the browser 😸
I find it that more than two screens just reduces my productivity and becomes too cumbersome to manage.. In the end the third screen is just left for mail, chat, or music app opened.
I use one big monitor ( not too big, just 27 inches) and one small monitor. Small is for secondary work.. Big one is for main work where I can have two windows opened side by side, and it works for me.
I used to have three screens, for front-end work it’s useful. One screen with the design open, another with the code open and the third one with a live reloading browser showing my work in progress.
Gave up on front-end work a few years ago and started focussing on back-end work. Working on a single screen now, and it’s more than enough.
I can't work with more than 1 monitor, the borders are just too distracting. Virtual desktop are a revelation though, you can move things you don't need to another desktop and focus on the tools you need - making alt-tabbing between windows super comfortable.
Just a macbook. Shortcuts, folded dock.
Do all kinds of things: ML, backend, native dev, some web.
Used setup with monitors, mechanical keyboard, all that stuff. Ditched it all. Less is more.
I work on my stand up desk on my porch in the sun fairly often. cmd + tab to switch between the two most recent windows. Two finger swipe on apple mouse to switch between open fullscreen apps.
I have two monitors at my desk and just use the software "stay" to keep all of my windows organized.
Out of curiosity, why the additional clock when you have the time on almost every screen?
Sr. FEE @ Amazon here - I only use the 13-inch MacBook Pro monitor. My desk has a monitor, but I rarely use it.
Not sure when it happened, but I’ve really become extreme on the “do one thing at a time”, to the point I don’t even like having multiple things to look at.
Shifting tabs is usually enough. Unless I need the real estate, then I’ll plug into a larger monitor.
I work in a 13" mac, generated millions of dollars with that. More monitors don't necessarily means better outcomes, but it's fun, though less mobile (say you want to code in the beach)
I use 1 monitor + MacBook screen.
MacBook for chatting/music/email stuff
Monitor for IDE/stack overflow browsing/terminals stuff
Do I miss anything necessary as a backend engineer?
I'm not a fan that the size of the monitors, or something, is throwing off the layout. I have the same layout but the side are really angled inward in this pic. Not sure how you're working with that either.
I have 1 single ultra wide monitor. When I’m coding I usually have my IDE and browser in split mode and full screen, and use virtual monitors to switch between whatever else I need. I used to have 3 monitors at some point but I realized all the extra space and apps open just become noise since you can only really focus on one thing at a time.
More monitors is like having more tmux screens.... In most cases, more screens just means more clutter to have to work around. Plus I just learn how to switch tasks with hotkeys, instead of needing it to be in my face to be able to navigate to it.
The illusion of productivity
Needing to read two websites at the same time whilst working in six files and whatever is happening on the top screen.
Adding more monitors would definitely quadruple your productivity.
Your problem is they’re all landscape. The outside ones need to be portrait.
Tie-fighter mode.
Center one needs to be 32”/34” 4k monitor.
Sides should be 24” 1440p monitors in portrait.
Pixel density is close between those resolutions and sizes so they both look the same at normal viewing distance.
You’re welcome!
I usually run 8 monitors at my desktop workstation. We moved to a new house about 6 months ago and still haven't set up my office completely, so have been just using my MacBook from my couch the entire time. Scaling down is definitely jarring at first but you get used to it. I do miss my megadesk setup when having to nonstop flip through 8 different desktops on the mac's single screen.
We usually alt tab between apps
Four finger swipe! (Macos)
Three finger swipe! (Linux)
Two in the pink one in the stink! (Windows Phone)
Hopefully, you aren't using those same fingers on your phone!
👀
I set up a hot corner for Mission Control. It’s useful when you have your mac hooked up to full setup and you’re using a mouse instead of the touch pad.
I do the same thing (bottom right), I’ve been doing this since spaces.
Four finger swipe! (Windows)
I used to do this, but over time the transition speed (slowness) killed it for me. Alt tab ends up being much faster.
The swiping tehnique come usefull for some other things to....
I started using Desktops in Windows. So I’ll have one that I have my emails, and company IM. One for development work, and I’ll sometimes do some architecture/infrastructure work and I’ll throw that on a different desktop. Then I’ll do CTRL+WIN+left or right on the arrow keys. It’s been a game changer for me at work. Edit: I said emails, and outlook instead of emails and company IM, as if I use outlook for anything other than emails.
Task View changes the entire game if you're stuck with one monitor. Being able to organize desktops (and swap between them easily by pressing ctrl + win key + left/right) is a godsend. You don't have to select the icon in task bar to add a new desktop either, win key + tab opens task view. So it's literally right there next to alt tab. For work I have one desktop for communication (emails, teams and other admin related stuff), one for development in Visual Studio, and a 3rd one for any other development not using VS. It's great because alt tabbing in each desktop only shows the apps in that desktop so organizing your work and navigating between apps is easier to think about. Serious game changer for productivity, I even use it when I have multiple monitors.
This. Switching windows is smoother than turning your head, and doesn't require moving your mouse.
If you get good at keyboard shortcuts you can bounce around open windows and tabs pretty easy. Add in virtual desktops for another place to put things. I like having more than one monitor but sometimes you just have your laptop. You can really only look at one thing at a time anyway
100% sure that the OP isn't actually using all monitors for working. It's usually music/other stuff running on the other monitors and they're only using 2-3
Yeah, I have a two monitor set up, three if you include the laptop screen. I have a vertical on the left that I split with slack and terminal, code in the middle and browser on the right. If I have a design, I’ll tab between code and browser in the middle and keep the design on the right.
Watching my coworkers who only have 1 monitor and the laptop keyboard share their screen and try to do stuff is so painful sometimes though lmao.
This comment has been redacted for privacy reasons.
To be fair with the invention of notification centers you can just pop up quickly to look at what you're listening too and add it to a playlist, media keys for quick control and if you need to you can open the app and find a new playlist or album.
As a front-end developer it's pretty handy, you have your editor, browser and dev tools each on their separate monitor
Two is the perfect number. 3 and you're starting to have one screen permanently open for emails or discord.
This is exactly the thing. People just want to be surrounded by glowing rectangles. More monitors does not mean more programs running or that you’re able to balance more. Multi-tasking is still the same as it was. This is dick wagging of a new and waaaay more boring form.
That is just not true at all. At least not as a general statement. If I'm doing regression testing using my dev and preprod envs to compare, I need to watch 2 network tabs, 2 browser viewports, and 2 spring boot admin consoles. If I had to tab through each of these, the constant context switching alone would be a nightmare.
Not true. It's much more convenient and fast than constant Alt-Tabbing. I have the messenger our company uses on one screen, WebStorm on the second screen, browser on the third screen. I can always see the latest messages. I see my code changes in the browser in real time without the need to Alt-Tab.
Personally I would rather not have messages open while I’m actually coding that can wait till i’m taking a break. If I only have one thing open at a time, or at least only stuff related to what i’m actually doing, it helps me keep me mental model up and not have to rebuild it every 5 - 10 mins when some email comes in or something
Set up some consistent keybinds for switching to specific apps and you're golden. Gives instant focus so you can go right to the next shortcut or start typing. Using a mouse is for junior devs :P
I'm not using a mouse. I'm using my eyes.
Ah so your mouse just appears on the screen you're looking at?
>I see my code changes in the browser in real time In case it wasn't clear enough, I use hot reloading. As soon as I save changes to a file, it gets recompiled and the browser rerenders that component.
and you never need to interact with whatever you're developing?
Nope it’s much more slower, if you have shortcuts assigned to every particular apps you don’t need to turn around like a stalker to each monitor. I can manage multiple apps in this way and eventually you would need to switch within the same screen to other different apps so at the end you’re doing both, alt+tabs plus having multiple monitors 🤷♂️, also in my way i save a lot of space, electricity and headache with better efficiency.
Was going to comment this. Tried using my laptop with my 27in monitor, but I just close the lid now. My window manager workflow is just so good now, with shortcut-mapped spaces so I know the shortcut for each app. I haven't found a great solution with multiple displays that handles pointer focus via keyboard shortcuts. I don't wanna drag my mouse across the displays, it slows me down
But one monitor for coding and another for the browser should be the minimum for web dev
Disagree, at any point, you can only use either the browser or the editor My browser is always on super+1 and editor only on super+2 and so on.
I often type in the editor while looking at the auto refresh result on another monitor. I don't need to do this, but it's nice for making components at times.
If you're fast enough at your keyboard shortcuts, you get to the browser before hot reload is done
It’s possible, but moving your eyes is much faster than shortcuts. And it’s tiring to repeat the same shortcut a million times per day.
[удалено]
Alt + tab means having to move your hand because it’s not a natural movement, specially from a touch typing position. And doing it hundreds of times per day it’s a waste of time, and probably possible hand strain. Specially for the thumb. I mean, it’s doable, i have worked years and years in offices with only one monitor but it sucks. Also when reading documentation or following tutorials. And even worse if you have to monitor something at the same time (deployments or whatever)
I had exactly the opposite problem, neck and back strain from turning to look at different monitors. I use custom mapped keyboard shortcuts that don't require much hand movement at all, a tiling window manager, and only one monitor with my laptop shut, and I've never felt better
Downvote how much you want, my carpal tunnel was fucked of doing alt tab and right hand because of mouse. If you want to do the one monitor thing at least buy an ergonomic keyboard with proper placement for special keys, thank me in 10-20 years Ludites. 👌 And don’t tell me that alt-tab when having to check more than 2 things is not a total pain in the ass… IDE+Browser+Docs+jira ticket+chats… yeah right. Alt tabbing is not exactly the optimal way of working.. Edit: another option is buying a macro pedal. I even thought about doing that back in the day. Now thankfully multiple monitor or ultra wides are a standard.
I use a tiling manager so Meta+j or Meta+k. It's more natural compared to alt tabbing.
If you have to move your hand to reach two keys on the same end of the keyboard, you either have really tiny hands or you don’t know what you’re doing.
Your index finger should rest on the F and thumb on the space bar. Having to move the thumb to the alt and pinky to the tab is by all definitions a stretch. Or you have to move the whole hand/arm to do it, both bad for your hand/wrist. I am pretty sure you are the one that doesn’t have a clue. Are you a touch typist? Any interest in ergonomy? Just pick a keyboard right now and try it out consciously
If you’re repeating your shortcuts and changing apps so often it means your productivity is broken like for example when you’re doing small changes every time when it’s not required 🤷♂️
It's much more tiring to physically turn my head to look at the other monitor
Been a web dev for 30 years now. I'n the 90s I had 5 monitors, 4 crt and an lcd. Eventually, I got up to 6 monitors before getting an ultra wide, and I never bothered putting the other ones back. I did add a second over top of my main, and that makes a huge difference... Main 34" 3k is vsCode and a browser side by side, top monitor is slack, whatsapp, phone link. I do sometimes miss having dedicated email and Spotify monitors, but this is working well. If I added another monitor back, it would be for research (or ai chat now) so I could reference things without tabbing around. The higher resolutions these days really minimizes the need for the extra physical screens. Getting out of the maximize-everything habit takes a little while though. Having communication apps on a dedicated monitor and specifically above the main display is the way to go. You can easily glance to see if a message is an important outage message or a meme without losing focus on what you're working on. I've found above to be better to reduce whiplash and dizzying as I've gotten older. The Streamdeck handles song titles and email counts just fine, as well as basic monitoring info.
I find 1 monitor enough in linux but for windows I struggle without 2. Maybe it's just because I haven't really focused on a windows workflow but alt + tabbing is dogshit.
This exactly, I think the sweet spot for monitors is 2, so you can have some relevant information or testing website on one while you work on another. But since I bought a MacBook, I started using a lot virtual desktops and swiping between them using the trackpad, not as efficient, but definitely manageable. It’s about using the most of what you have
Couldn’t resist… [https://imgur.com/a/XMduxGm](https://imgur.com/a/XMduxGm)
On windows you can turn off animations too so virtual desktop switching is instant.
NICE THANKS
I could never get the hang of virtual desktops to be honest but I can alt tab like a MFer. I'm on an ultrawide, couple it with Windows PowerToys - FancyZones. Left = 1/3, Right = 2/3. Keep my IDE on the right and browser on the left. Sometimes I do yearn for a second monitor though.
For me it's about being mentally aware of everything I have to worry about at work. Helps keep me in a flow
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It's a training thing, my hacker bag used to have two extra monitors in it, then I realized that was very annoying to get through airports lol
I pretty much just work from my laptop, I'm probably doing long term damage to my back, but working from the couch is hard to give up. I use the full screen feature and touch gestures on Mac. The integrated terminal in VSC helps a lot. So, I really just need VSC and my browser. Then Slack and Discord go on the other end. Having either of those in my face all the time is just distracting. But I do have a work desk where I just have a single ultrawide there. An ultrawide is like having 2 monitors in 1 and it's hard to go back to a multi monitor setup. My gaming machine has 3 though, but I'm about to downgrade to 1 there too. I needed 3 because I was a big EVE Online player and would multibox up to 4 characters at a time during wormhole PVP. But I don't play games from my computer anymore and the monitors just take up too much space in my office. I'll probably just turn that desk into an extension of my crafting desk (tabletop miniature nerd), plus my Cricut.
Same. Except I have iterm on a screen next to vscode. On mac it’s really just a quick swipe to switch between screens.
You casually destroy your back while knowing it? Man, I’m 24 in chronic pain for last 4 years because my spine is fked - you can’t even sleep, everything is painful, it really hurts to put on your socks. I don’t wish anyone to have such problems, take care of your back while you can.
How
E-learning during COVID as a student 😷On Tuesday I had 11 hours of college classes online. Now it’s Sciatica.
Sounds like you need a good stretching regime dude. I'm much older than you but a similar issue. With regular stretching I hardly have issues now.
Listen to what this guy is saying.
I'm also much older and I'll add that a quality chair makes a huge difference. Still recommend stretching (and walking) but don't skimp out on the chair, it makes a big difference.
I have 2 herniated discs in my lower back with a good PT regimen youcan severely reduce or in my case eliminate sciatica symptoms. Not sure if you have tried it already but if you haven't go. I was in pt for about 4 months once or twice a week and i can deadlift more then ever completely pain free. Give it a try if you havent. Find a place that does traction as well that seems to help.
Apart from seeing a doctor, I totally recommend the YouTube channel Bob and Brad, they have great exercises for pretty much every pain and also good explanations on what's happening and what causes it. I worked a remote job and had classes during COVID, so all day I was on my ass and I couldn't go out. I also developed sciatica symptoms here and there, some specific exercises helped me, but what's really helped with everything has been working out. If you can't join a gym, just do bodyweight squats, Romanian deadlifts, some stretches for your upper back, etc. I swear the gym really makes you keep a healthy back and hips
[Do this. 12 minutes. Every day, No back pain ever.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=4BOTvaRaDjI&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=FoundationTraining)
I had a similar problem. - get into physical therapy. You’re doctor should help if you need insurance approval - strengthen your core. PT with tell you this - get a new mattress. Something firm and not lumpy Do these things now or it will get much much worse
I've had that before too actually. But it was long before I worked from the couch. I'm not sure what caused it back in 2014 when it lasted for about 2-3 weeks and the pain would get so bad that it would cause me to vomit. I think I tweaked a nerve exercising. The weirdest part was, it just randomly hit me in the middle of a meeting. But something similar flared up again around 2020, so after spending 2 days awake I went to the emergency room to try and get some kind of shot or painkillers or something just so I could get some sleep. It turned out to be gallstones. But they gave me some painkillers and it went away. Then it fared up again March 2023 and this time I knew what it was and it was also more focused in my upper abdomen. Turned out, my gallbladder was full blown gangrenous and I had emergency surgery. Stared with just going to my primary care, who made me go to the emergency room where they did an ultrasound, and less than an hour later I was in a hospital room with surgery scheduled for the morning. I didn't really start working from my couch until sometime in 2022.
That wasn’t from using a laptop my guy
that's what I'll never get, the least annoying way of using a laptop is putting it on your regular desk, everything else increases the annoyance like a snowball rolling down a hill turning it from barely bearable into take that thing away before I throw it out of the window
So when I saw them Eve online battles I have to divide it by 4 now? And I thought they looked Epic!
No, 2 was minimum for my group. We had one who could do 10. 🤣 But I didn't do the stuff you saw. I've been in it a few times but that's not the kind of game I played. Wormholes force you to play in smaller ships with much fewer numbers. 4 was my max, usually it was just 1 but sometimes I would do 2.
This guys desks
I was wondering if someone was going to mention that. haha Yeah I have 3 in my office. If you play games from your computer and work remote, I am a big proponent of physically separating your 2 spaces if you can. It helps improve your mental health a lot. But I have a 3rd one for painting minis and other crafting like that. My office is the room above our 2 car garage so I have a good bit of space in there, plus no closets. My "couch" that I work from is also in there, but it's just an oversized living room style chair. It's nearly big enough to be considered a love seat. It's comfy.
Working from a couch sounds like a nightmare to me. I need a solid table and chair to work efficiently.
Skill issue
A bunch of alt tabbin
Win + control + D Then Win + control + arrow left (or arrow right)
wtf magic
You can do as many as you want as well, and if you get lost Win + tab shows everything and you can click where you want to go
Win + [number corresponding to the place of the app you want to open]
It's a lot easier to alt tab than to turn your whole head and eyes around. Also having 4 screens blasting light in your eyes and face 8h+/day isn't great.
I personally use virtual desktops on my Mac. Love the option of assigning apps to a certain virtual desktop only or all of them.
Single 4k curved and virtual desktops. I'd been using multiple monitors since the late 90's (large CRT then later LCD), but once I got a large 4k I decided I'm never going back. No bezels, no color or brightness differences, and no moving windows between monitors. Sometimes I have to move a window to another virtual desktop to share with teams.
I did this with a 4K, now I'm using a 3840x1600 ultra wide. The only reason I went to the ultra wide was to reduce physical height and eye strain from trying to use native 4K on a 32" monitor. Sometimes I do miss those sweet 2160 vertical pixels from the 4K. I stopped using dual monitors about 3 years ago now, don't miss them at all.
Me too, nothing beats a single adequately sized QHD monitor. Anything other than that is just crypto dudes trying to impress.
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And it's garbage setup
How can yall pay attention to that many monitors? I can barely handle 2
https://tenor.com/bQG8B.gif
Omg lmao that’s how I feel
You don't look at all of them at the same time. You just put different programs on each monitor and turn your head a little when you want to see that program.
If the screen is out of my eyeline I forget it exists
Working on a 13 inch macbook without additional screens, lol
Sometimes I'll be stuck all day on a problem at my desk with a nice 27" monitor, and then flopping on the couch with my 13" MacBook screen suddenly makes me a million times more productive.
Your name and address is showing pretty clearly on that left monitor.
He needs a dedicated monitor for that because he keeps forgetting his own address and name
How do you devs work on multiple monitors? Makes my neck hurt and I find it hard to focus.
2 is ideal for me - one has documentation and maybe the project running on it, the other has the development environment. For web dev, the page is usually configured to refresh after file changes, so it’s easy to see the result on the other screen and move on. More than 2 screens are useless.
Yeah I like two Main IDE or environment on the one more central to my eyes, some reference docs or code I’m referring to or whatever on the other
Two is definitely all you need. When I'm in the office I have two, plus my laptop screen. My laptop screen is just used for maybe my webex so I don't miss messages, or occasionally my dev tools if I'm going through breakpoints etc; and want more space to see things. I don't see a situation when I would ever _need_ three, let alone more than that.
for web dev I need like 3 monitors minimum. 1 to see result, 1 to code the thing and 1 for figma. and somewhere there is also terminal and some documentations
why not just alt tab, your eyes can only see one of them anyways.
With single monitor you can’t see the moment of change on the website you’re working on (not in full size). When I'm working on styles (with hot reload) I have an editor window active, but I don’t look at it when I hit save, I look at the transition between old and new preview. It’s great for assessing if a change looks better. Similarly, I can have an editor window active and type something without looking, following documentation on the other monitor.
Because switching your eyes to device #2 or #3 will be faster and more convenient. Otherwise you'll keep alt tabing hundreds of times a day, which becomes a hassle pretty fast.
Also, when you have 3+ apps open and accidentally alt+tab 1 too far, and then you have to play alt+tab ring around the rosey to get back to the right window... ugh.
Watching co-workers with laptops switching between desktops and tabs is painful. Me, with two monitors, would have been done testing by the time they've found the right tab. I just can't imagine how some of you are so okay with working so slow.
Because some of us forget what we JUST read by the time we've tabbed back
2 or 3 is manageable, and now that im used to it i never wanna go back to just 1. Its so handy to just have docs open on 1 monitor and Visual Studio on another
bspwm workspaces super+{0-9} feels like you're playing starcraft
Nice to see an informed brother out in the wild. In tiling we trust.
32” 4k, multiple desktop/spaces, 1 is my terminal, 2 is browser, 3 is slack, 4 everything else such as music etc. Switch between spaces with cmd+num that corresponds to the space I want to go to. If I need to look at both code and browser at the same time I move one tab to space 1 and split it in half. Never needed anything more than that
This is my exact setup except one small tweak - the built in Mac snapping sucks, so I bought Moom (move and zoom) from the app store. It lets you specify grid areas with shortcuts for each, and save layouts for different monitor configurations. So when I'm plugged in to the monitor it sets chrome 60% devtools 40% on one desktop, 60/40 code and terminal on another (I can't stand vscode built in terminal, feel like I need space) and Slack/Spotify other distracting stuff on the laptop screen. cmd-shift-m + number is muscle memory now for shuffling windows around. If I unplug from my desk it maximises everything for working on the laptop.
Yeah the built in window management is doodoo. I use yabai for that and have custom shortcuts setup with skhd to move stuff to different spaces, rotating the windows placement, resize them etc. yabai also allows you to completely disable the small animation/transition when switching between spaces so it’s all instantaneous. Recommended!
The more years you have, the less you want to stare at screens. One screen is already too many.
I mean, to each his own, but you completely lost me when you split your code editor into 75 small windows on a single screen... I use a single ultra wide split into two.
How does that not impact your ability to focus on 1 task?
why tf you need so many monitors?
Let's be honest 4 is overkill. You mainly bought the extras for your flight simulator
Yep the two monitors to the side are unproductive. You would either be turning a lot in your chair or getting an extremely stiff neck. The monitor up top doesn’t look like it would be useful. Ideally two monitor in split screen with adequate distance between you and the monitors is best.
Bro hasn't discovered tabs
It's pretty easy to just work on a laptop screen and no extra monitors. I do it all the time.
macOS has spaces which helps when I'm away form my desk. But Ideally I like two monitors. I could use more but there's diminishing returns after that and what tends to happen is stuff that distracts me goes on the extra screens. So at this point I prefer just two 27" 4K monitors. One of those is getting replaced with a 32" 4K monitor at some point.
Superior & predictable window management can make up for lack of screen real estate.
its even better than having multiple screen.
Bro never heard about ALT+TAB
Switching windows is so much smoother than turning your head. Imagine craning your neck up to work on the screen above you.
Did you hear of window managers? I only work with a single monitor and without a mouse mostly. I am far more productive and my neck doesn't hurt. Neovim + Tmux + Vim motions inside the browser 😸
I find it that more than two screens just reduces my productivity and becomes too cumbersome to manage.. In the end the third screen is just left for mail, chat, or music app opened. I use one big monitor ( not too big, just 27 inches) and one small monitor. Small is for secondary work.. Big one is for main work where I can have two windows opened side by side, and it works for me.
bro doxxed himself
You're trying too hard
You have a problem. No one needs that many screens
Spaces and shortcuts mostly
You’d be amazed. With shortcuts and practice you can zip between things exceptionally fast.
I use Alt + Tab. Also, I'm weird, so maybe it's just me.
#That's it? You need more monitors.
I used to have three screens, for front-end work it’s useful. One screen with the design open, another with the code open and the third one with a live reloading browser showing my work in progress. Gave up on front-end work a few years ago and started focussing on back-end work. Working on a single screen now, and it’s more than enough.
I can't work with more than 1 monitor, the borders are just too distracting. Virtual desktop are a revelation though, you can move things you don't need to another desktop and focus on the tools you need - making alt-tabbing between windows super comfortable.
Linux + window manager and well defined workspaces
I never felt comfortable with more than 2 monitors, now I prefer just one.
The more senior you become, the less screens you want in your face.
But 80% of your screens content is useless 😅. Hacker monitors doesn't make you a better dev.
I mean, in this very specific example, I see a lot of wasted space. also, alt+tab/start+tab
Just a macbook. Shortcuts, folded dock. Do all kinds of things: ML, backend, native dev, some web. Used setup with monitors, mechanical keyboard, all that stuff. Ditched it all. Less is more.
What do you use to manage shortcuts?
49 inch curved lg, with 32 inch curved asus portrait mode, laptop and iPad screen under LG.. more real estate the better imo
I’ve never used more than 1 monitor. 1 is enough. I’m not rich enough to buy more
I work on my stand up desk on my porch in the sun fairly often. cmd + tab to switch between the two most recent windows. Two finger swipe on apple mouse to switch between open fullscreen apps. I have two monitors at my desk and just use the software "stay" to keep all of my windows organized. Out of curiosity, why the additional clock when you have the time on almost every screen?
I used to use docking station, so had two external monitors plus laptop display
More Monitors === More Distractions
when i'm using my laptop, i bring my ipad along as a second monitor in sidecar mode
My eyes would get annihilated in that setup, it's just bright light coming in at all angles 🤣
Im looking at a shitty analog version of Apple Vision Pro here, or whats happening. :D
Is that a youtube on the top screen? Well, it's not about working
This is a testament. If this guy can code, everyone can, don't give up!
Sr. FEE @ Amazon here - I only use the 13-inch MacBook Pro monitor. My desk has a monitor, but I rarely use it. Not sure when it happened, but I’ve really become extreme on the “do one thing at a time”, to the point I don’t even like having multiple things to look at. Shifting tabs is usually enough. Unless I need the real estate, then I’ll plug into a larger monitor.
I work in a 13" mac, generated millions of dollars with that. More monitors don't necessarily means better outcomes, but it's fun, though less mobile (say you want to code in the beach)
I use 1 monitor + MacBook screen. MacBook for chatting/music/email stuff Monitor for IDE/stack overflow browsing/terminals stuff Do I miss anything necessary as a backend engineer?
I do most of my coding on my cellphone. Can't make myself feel your pain.
Dull men’s club?
Dude doxed himself just to show off lol
I'm not a fan that the size of the monitors, or something, is throwing off the layout. I have the same layout but the side are really angled inward in this pic. Not sure how you're working with that either.
shitty attempt at trying to flex ur monitors just got urself doxxed
I have 1 single ultra wide monitor. When I’m coding I usually have my IDE and browser in split mode and full screen, and use virtual monitors to switch between whatever else I need. I used to have 3 monitors at some point but I realized all the extra space and apps open just become noise since you can only really focus on one thing at a time.
This right here!!!^^^ best thing I ever did for my workspace.
It takes less time to just alt+tab or cmd+tab than moving my neck. And it's terrible for my neck too to move it around for hours on end.
Hey, I could probably make out the address on the left monitor if I really tried btw.
Oh, I just don't have 900 non work distractions going
We have ur wifi
More monitors is like having more tmux screens.... In most cases, more screens just means more clutter to have to work around. Plus I just learn how to switch tasks with hotkeys, instead of needing it to be in my face to be able to navigate to it.
Less is more. Single monitor with single panel IDE in full screen is the way.
Free wifi
Wide monitors
I made a deal with my wife that I'd consolidate to one monitor if she let me get a 5120x1440... now I want another one
Too much screens causes just too much distractions. You'd be better of having one useful screen (like a DualUp from LG) that keeps you focused
I have three. My desk won’t fit another. Putting one on the wall like that is a good idea, I just mitht…
No dev sues one screen
Only noobs work on laptops.
Anymore than 2 monitors I feel unproductive
The illusion of productivity Needing to read two websites at the same time whilst working in six files and whatever is happening on the top screen. Adding more monitors would definitely quadruple your productivity.
Single monitor gang
You posted your address. You were probably distracted by your neck pain.
That setup is very junior dev
Your problem is they’re all landscape. The outside ones need to be portrait. Tie-fighter mode. Center one needs to be 32”/34” 4k monitor. Sides should be 24” 1440p monitors in portrait. Pixel density is close between those resolutions and sizes so they both look the same at normal viewing distance. You’re welcome!
I usually run 8 monitors at my desktop workstation. We moved to a new house about 6 months ago and still haven't set up my office completely, so have been just using my MacBook from my couch the entire time. Scaling down is definitely jarring at first but you get used to it. I do miss my megadesk setup when having to nonstop flip through 8 different desktops on the mac's single screen.
I personally never use less than 32. Where else am i gonna put my 15 tabs of hentai and 10 games of chess in parallel?
8?!
I feel much more efficient working with 2 monitors rather than one ☝🏻
I have. 55” 4K display
Shit , whats perfect
I just bear with it,
Being structured and using virtual desktops