Tech Trends | At Home with Tech

December 8, 2024

How 3 Computer Screens can Enhance your Work at Home

If you’re struggling to manage multiple windows on your computer screen while working from home, then it’s time to get yourself more screen real estate. It’s okay to admit it. Six monitors might be too many, but here’s what I did to get to three.

How many programs or apps do you juggle on your computer screen during your work day? Several Microsoft Word docs? Perhaps a Google Slides deck? Emails? Multiple web pages? Texting program? If you’re a creative, maybe you’ve also got Adobe Premiere or After Effects running. Where can you possibly put all that? Sure, you can minimize and hide windows, but you know… out of sight… out of mind.

It’s a constant struggle to keep your desktop organized and quickly find what you need. And you can never see everything simultaneously. You’d need a massive screen for that.

Well, of course they make larger screens for your computer. And if paired with a laptop, you also get the extra benefit of having a second screen. But some people keep their laptop closed and just use their external monitor. I think that’s a missed opportunity.

Stop Looking through a Pinhole
I know. Lots of folks do just fine using their tiny 13” laptop screen. Heck, 15” laptop screens are considered massive by comparison. But I know I’m not alone in feeling even that’s not enough room to do your work if you spend most of your day on a computer.

An office environment can often accommodate for this need with multi-screen stations you can easily plug into. But if you’re working from home, you’re usually on your own to figure it out.

Well, I’ve got a bold message to share: It’s really time to stop struggling.

Stop ‘making do’ with your tiny laptop uncomfortably crammed in the corner of your home. Why not reprioritize your existence and acknowledge your reality? It’s not temporary anymore.

So go ahead and redesign your space to set up a larger monitor for your laptop. If you’ve already got one monitor, consider buying a second one!

Yes, you really need it! It’s okay to admit that you do.

And let me tell you, when you allow your field of computer-screen vision to spread out more, it’s like putting on glasses for the first time…. Simply glorious.

Adding a 24” Screen to a 27” Monitor on my Standing Desk
I’ve been using a 27” LG monitor for the past few years with my laptop. They sit on my 42” wide standing desk in my home office. But I finally decided it just wasn’t enough. I really wanted a three-screen setup.

My standing desk is positioned in front of a window across from a separate V-shaped desk that houses my personal Mac Studio and a 32” HP ‘Z’ monitor.

Years ago, I chose to separate my work and play spaces in my home office. Perhaps that’s unnecessary, but it feels right for me. So, on the days when I work from home, my commute is a simple 150° swivel of my chair, and I’ve arrived.

No, I didn’t have a ton of extra room on my standing desk, certainly not enough for another 27” monitor. But I believed I could squeeze in a 24” monitor to help me gain additional screen real estate.

I knew it wouldn’t look pretty. I wouldn’t win any home-office feng shui awards. It would be a “Matrix”- like clutter vs. an airy starship design. And that’s okay. You go with what you’ve got.

So, with holiday sales swirling about, I finally allowed myself the freedom to buy a second additional screen for my laptop.

My New 24” Dell Monitor
I went with a 24” Dell UltraSharp USB-C Hub Monitor (U2424HE). The ‘hub’ functionality made it easier to tether to my existing set up without having to buy a separate hub device.

The USB-C connection to my laptop also feeds power to my laptop, which is a nice bonus, reducing cable clutter.

The IT Guy Finds a Challenge
The setup mostly was plug and play, but you really must know where to plug everything in. There were no directions in the box. (The quick setup sheet didn’t talk about multi-screens.)

I eventually found the 116-page manual online. The PDF was crammed with every possible detail. It described 14 connection options, each pin designation for the RJ45 plug and the emergency steps to take if you have to quickly dump the warp core (Trekkie joke). I scoured though this manual nobody ever wants to read and finally found page 55.

MST on Page 55
It’s titled, “Connecting the Monitor for USB Type-C Multi-Stream Transport (MST) Function.” (MST? Are we supposed to know that acronym?)

In short, page 55 told me to connect the Dell to my laptop with the USB-C cable and then tether the two monitors with the DisplayPort (DP) cable. (easy)

And then it simply worked. All my screens began to glow, and so did I. But please take note that you really do need to bring your inner IT Guy for this.

The Power of 3 Monitors
I think the irony and the truth behind this story is my secret desire to ultimately surround myself with 360° screens. Well, I’m on my way…

For now, I’ve got my laptop screen, my 27” LG and my adorably mismatched 24” Dell. Everything fits. And the extra monitor really makes a big difference. (Barrett is happy.)
Here’s my upgraded standing desk setup with my personal laptop displaying Adobe Firefly images I’ve created for my blog.

Maybe one day, a less expensive next-generation Apple Vision Pro will transport me into a more evolved virtual workspace environment and better serve my needs.

For now, all that matters is I’ve successfully expanded my access and visual connection to the many details constantly flowing through my computer.

More clarity through working smarter. I highly recommend it.

December 1, 2024

Ways to Avoid the Agony of Holiday Shopping

When I was a child, I learned conflicting gifting skills from my parents. Here’s how I’ve tried to modify their methods to become more effective in how I shop today.

While I was growing up, I watched my mother shop for presents with an intensity that demonstrated long hours and an incredible commitment to find the perfect gift at the best price. Her process inevitably generated great results, but it must have been exhausting for her.

My father’s shopping style couldn’t have been more opposite. He picked up his gifts with a seemingly effortless flair. He’d walk into a store and pick up an item in what seemed like seconds. It was glorious to watch him in action. And they often seemed to be nifty presents… but not always.

As a kid who occasionally accompanied my parents while they shopped, I preferred my father’s methodology. But I saw my dad’s shopping success through the eyes of a child. You can’t just magically wait till the last minute, and waltz into a store to get exactly what you want. Or can you?

My mom never had the opportunity to apply her analog hunting and gathering strategies to online shopping. I think she would have enjoyed the opportunity to endlessly compare prices and sales. But as we all know, all that data can create a crippling shopping cycle where you never get to the finish line.

I am a product of both these shopping styles, and I carry the inherent burdens of both.

Fact Vs. Fiction
As you might expect, shopping during holiday seasons has been complex for me across the decades. I’ve instinctively applied certain shopping ideals that are usually impossible to follow.

Decide on the perfect gift
Perform exhaustive online research
But do it quickly
Find it on sale at the best price
Expect it to show up the next day at no extra cost if ordered online

Here’s a more realistic version.

It’s hard to find the perfect gift, unless you’re shopping for a requested item
Spotting the best price is also challenging, because discounts occur all year long
Taking tons of time to browse for gifts doesn’t always result in finding the right present
However, minimal effort is also a mediocre strategy
Shipping delays happen

Less is More
We all know that holiday shopping is an artificial construct designed by the marketing machine to keep the economy humming. It’s stressful, because you’re always feeling pressure to quickly make purchasing decisions with a deadline looming.

Giving and receiving is supposed to be fun. How can we reduce all the related frenzy and find more of the joy this season is constructed to be?

Well, spending less time shopping is probably a good start. Browsing for random deals is a huge time suck. You’ve really got to know what you’re looking for.

At Home with Existing Tech?
And if that special person asks you what you might want for a gift, and you’re not craving anything, that’s okay. (That doesn’t mean you’re ‘ungiftable.’)

For me, I think it’s been something of a slow year when it comes to wanting the latest and greatest tech. Still, I must admit, there are a few items out there
I wouldn’t mind receiving. For example…

A Self-Directed Drone for Swooping Cinematic Shots
The DJI Neo is a tiny, automated drone that that you don’t have to fly yourself. It doesn’t need a controller and will simply circle its human subject using pre-programmed flight plans to record awesome 4K cinematic shots. The Neo takes off from your hand and then does the rest on its own. It’s like hiring your own drone crew to capture the ending of your personal movie… all for only $199. That’s a great price point. ($289 will get you 3 batteries and a charging hub.)

But I digress…

Less Browsing, More Planning
Like it or not, we’re all probably doing some holiday shopping. Just don’t overdo the browsing part. Focus more on the planning and deciding parts.

If you have a plan that takes some effort, it’s okay to go for it.

I’ll never forget the great gift I received when I was seven years old. My mother bought me my first audio cassette recorder that she couldn’t afford using promotional stamps.

She saw my interest and found a way to fuel it. Her gifting me that communications tool was a seminal moment in my timeline. Without it, my later life in professional video production may not have evolved. (Yes, if you wanted to time travel to change my life, I think that’s a clear juncture point.)

The Perfect Gift
This little tape recorder was the best present my mom ever gave me. And she spent months working on it. But doesn’t her process seemingly break the rules of moderation I’m now trying to follow as an adult?

Let’s review her strategy:

My mom had a plan
She spent a lot of time on it, but she didn’t waste any time shopping
And she effectively received a 100% discount on the purchase

It was, in fact, the perfect shopping execution for the best gift I ever received.

There’s Always a Sale
Again, the lesson here is to have a strong intention before you begin any shopping. (I’m trying really hard these days to follow this wisdom.)

Don’t be distracted by the hundreds of items on sale. It’s not about the sale. That can lead you down the wrong path and hours of wasted time.

First commit the time to consider what the person might like. Once you’ve completed that step, the rest will follow.

Then, go find your sale. It’ll be there waiting for you.

Because that’s how the system works.

November 24, 2024

Placing a Google Nest Cam in the Wild May Not be that Smart

Here’s my cautionary tale when I tried to add a battery-powered Google Nest Cam into my existing Nest ecosystem and then position it in my backyard.

I maintain several Nests in our home. These different smart home devices have worked great together across the years with my Nest iPhone app.

I can peer in from afar using my Nest Cam.
I control the temperature with my Nest Learning Thermostat.
And my Nest Protect monitors my home and updates me with any smoke or carbon monoxide detection. (Fortunately, it’s my least-used device.)

Google bought the Nest product line a decade ago and began integrating it into the Google Home ecosystem. Yes, all my Wi-Fi Nest gear still worked fine with my old Nest app. But every so often my app nudged me to migrate to the Google Home app. I’d be stalling, simply because I didn’t want to mess with a good thing.

Then, a new variable entered the equation.

Adding a Google Nest Cam to my Nest
I decided to add an outdoor, battery-powered Google Nest Cam into my Nest world. I wanted to put it in my backyard to track occasional wildlife that meanders by.

Buying a battery-driven device is both a blessing and a curse. You can’t quite set it and forget it, as it will need to occasionally be recharged. But you also don’t have to run an electrical line into your backyard.

So, there’s amazing flexibility with a wire-free, battery-powered security camera that you can pop most anywhere (indoor or out). What’s not to like?

Mandatory Upgrade to Google Home
So, I bought my Google Nest Cam, opened the box and eagerly pulled out the gleaming white orb. I then plugged it in to juice it up. But when I started the installation process using my Nest app, I immediately ran into trouble. A message popped up that said this Nest Cam will only work with the Google Home app.

Okay. Sorry Nest app. It was great working with you. Now, I finally had to download Google Home onto my iPhone and migrate my Nest account over to Google.

The process went smoothly, and I was welcomed into the Google Smart Home world. I scanned a QR code with my iPhone, and the app did the rest.

So, I was quickly back on track.

Two Apps Instead of One
Yes, my new Google Nest Cam was ready for action. But what about the rest of my Nest ecosystem? Everything showed up on my Google Home app except my Nest Protect. Where did that go?!

I did a bit of online research and found the unfortunate answer. The Nest Protect hasn’t yet been integrated into Google Home.

What?

I would still have to use my old Nest app to stay connected with my Nest Protect. (I’m not saying goodbye to my Nest app after all.) So now, I’ve got two apps to use instead of one.

The Google Home app for my two Nest Cams and my Nest Learning Thermostat
My old Nest app for my Nest Protect

I don’t think that’s fabulous integration.

But it’s a minor inconvenience. You can’t get distracted by the little things. I’m sure it’ll eventually get sorted. Time to move on.

Installation Fantasy
You may consider my installation plan a bit outside of normal parameters. I planned to attach it to a tree pointed at our deck to better observe the occasional wildlife that passes through our backyard.

I’ve spotted deer a few times as well as a red fox. I sometimes observe the neighborhood hedgehog, and I even saw a racoon once peering at me from the edge of our deck at night.

I know this can be normal stuff in the burbs. But remember, I’m a city boy from Manhattan. I’m not wired for this.

But I figured with a little more surveillance, I’d feel somehow happier.
(Please don’t push my theory too hard.)

A Tree is Not a Wall
I tried my tree installation plan several times, until I realized it was half-baked. The circular mount wasn’t going to sit properly on the uneven bark surface. And I wasn’t keen to wait to eventually find a dead Nest Cam cracked open on the deck or ground below.

On the other hand, I knew there were likely other solutions for a backyard installation… There must be something else I could attach it to.

But first there was another problem to consider.

How Waterproof is Water Resistant?
According to Google, “the Nest Cam is water resistant in accordance with its IP54 rating, but it is not waterproof.”

What does that mean? Can it be outdoors and uncovered, or can’t it? Does it require some sort of overhang for protection, like a porch ceiling?

I originally didn’t even consider the issue… it’s an outdoor camera, right? On the front of the Nest Cam box, there’s a photo of the camera dripping with rain while attached to the side of a house. And the words printed next to the picture… “Security, rain or shine.”

Well, maybe not too much rain.

I found some questions online about this, and yes there are stories from owners with malfunctioning Nest Cams after one too many rainstorms.

Hmmm… another rabbit hole to dig out from.

Another House For my Camera to Live In?
So back to my installation quandary. I had been thinking about screwing my Nest Cam onto a tree. Well, what about screwing it into something instead? Like a bird house.

That would offer some protection from the rain. I Googled “Nest Cam bird house,” and happily, yes, I saw some solutions out there.

But now, my project had morphed from a tech installation challenge into a backyard decoration project that will require a little more thought and my better half’s involvement. And that’s going to take a bit more time.

This is where my Google Nest Cam story pauses for now.

The Animals are Laughing at Me
I’m confident I’ll find a good installation solution. But it’ll probably require a bit more DIY thinking.

My uneven experience so far has taught me that a smart home is not the same as a smart backyard. And a Nest is not exactly the same as a Google Nest.

If you’re considering a similar expansion into the wild using a Google Nest Cam, it’s probably a good idea to think this all through first.

Category: Tech Trends

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