Three Screens Are Better Than Two

• May 08, 2006
• 12 Comments
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Since I had a rough week last week, I thought I would post something fun today. While some people are just jumping on the dual-monitor bandwagon, I have recently moved on to three screens.

Of course that is not exactly true. The two screens on the right are attached to my new Dell Dimension 9150 workstation. The one on the left is attached to my old Shuttle system. That there is running the VMWare Server that hosts Subtext’s CruiseControl.NET build server.

The only reason I got the third screen is that because of a deal they were offering, it actually lowered the cost of the lease to get this screen than to not get it. You can’t beat a deal like that!

Rather than using a KVM, I am using MaxiVista to remote control the computer via the third monitor. That works pretty nicely, though MaxiVista seems to hiccup alot.

What others have said

ben May 08, 2006 11:14 AM

# re: Three Screens Are Better Than Two

very nice setup :) can you point me to where you got that cool dual-monitor wallpaper?

Ken Robertson May 08, 2006 3:28 PM

# re: Three Screens Are Better Than Two

I think multiple monitors in portrait mode is the way to go. Currently only have dual 20" in portrait (http://qgyen.net/photos/images/1540/original.aspx), but might get 3 sometime.

Meh... May 08, 2006 4:26 PM

# re: Three Screens Are Better Than Two

That's nice... Meanwhile, I'm typing this while looking at a curved 17" monitor about 8 years old, with absolutely no hope of getting something better (well, there's a 10yo 19" NEC with an even bigger curvature in the nearby cubicle...).

Jon Rowett May 08, 2006 5:34 PM

# re: Three Screens Are Better Than Two

on the subject of multi-monitor setups, i enjoyed this post today: http://bopuc.levendis.com/weblog/archives/-2006/05/08/bo_pack.php

"I'd say that with a single 1440x960 resolution screen, I work at maybe 10-20% capacity."

...so he takes a second monitor *on the road*

Frank May 08, 2006 9:08 PM

# re: Three Screens Are Better Than Two

Maxvista really rocks! Cool suggestion. They currently offer 30% discount.

Thanks.

Frank

Cody Beckner May 08, 2006 9:24 PM

# re: Three Screens Are Better Than Two

Multiple monitors is definitely the way to go. As for MaxiVista... Synergy (http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/) does the same thing quite well and it is free. Have to love free.

Thomas Freudenberg May 09, 2006 12:36 AM

# re: Three Screens Are Better Than Two

+1 for Synergy. I use it permanently and am very pleased.

jayson knight May 09, 2006 2:35 AM

# re: Three Screens Are Better Than Two

Damn all of you and your dual monitor setups. I feel so antiquated over here w/ my single 20" LCD. I have been thinking of getting a secondary 19" though as they are currently dirt cheap on the Dell website (< $300).

Paul Duggan May 09, 2006 4:41 AM

# Dell Dimension 9150 Workstation ??

Hmmm! I'm interested. Why a Dell Dimension 9150 Workstation? I'm in the market for a new machine and had been considering a Precision. Something that won't cower in the face of Visual Studio 2005!
Whats the 9150 like?

Haacked May 09, 2006 5:45 AM

# re: Three Screens Are Better Than Two

I'm afraid I don't have a scientific explanation for why the Dell Dimension 9150 apart from the fact that my company has an account with Dell and my coworker has the Dell Dimension 9100 that he's very happy with.

Simon May 09, 2006 6:58 AM

# re: Three Screens Are Better Than Two

Synergy may be everything but nothing like Maxivista. Synergy only provides the remote control part. But the cool thing about Maxivista is the *monitor* sharing.

Check yourself: http://www.maxivista.com/demo.htm

How would you do THAT with Synergy?

Simon

Steve Harman May 10, 2006 6:25 AM

# re: Three Screens Are Better Than Two

Wow... that demo is pretty sweet.

I do have to admit that I am a sucker for free (as in both speech and beer) stuff, but that Desktop Extension feature of MaxiVista is just too damn cool. I would be able to bring my [work] laptop home, hook up to the [wireless] LAN and immediatly extend my desktop.

Hmm, I think I'll certainly give the free trial a shot, and see if it's worth the $35.

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