Comments on: 12 Tips for an Organized Desk

By: beryl

beryl — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:05:35 +0000

There is a contest running – pimp my cube – the object is to find the worst office space in the US. If you look at some of these cubicles and offices, the mind boggles as to how productivity is affected. Yet, some people do function better in chaos. Check out the contest (which closes in Jan 2012) and maybe you know of someone who is eligible to win. Entry is free and you wont believe what you see!

By: Brooke

Brooke — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:06:48 +0000

The advice about keeping thing within proximity is excellent in any room of the house. My kids do many crafts in the dining room, so I took part of a small coat closet and put rolling bins in there so that I had access to the crafting stuff IN the dining room. The same with the kitchen, even the living room and bedroom, I keep a small box on my nightstand with a flashlight, cough drops, any nighttime meds, and have the books I read there. I don’t see much sense in keeping a vase of flowers there when there are other things more important to me that I will need. These are some great tips and not difficult to remember once you get each area in order.

By: Sue Daniels

Sue Daniels — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 01:29:32 +0000

You indicated a “file sorter” system on the desk for current work. I think this is very important. I am a legal secretary, and client folders that I am currently working on used to be in flat piles on my desk. Things got lost all the time. I never looked less professional than when my boss asked me for a file and I went rummaging through piles of paper. Now I keep my current files up and vertical on one of those wire sorters. All the file names are visible, so I don’t forget about them, and they can be shifted with changing deadlines. And, from a personal-energy standpoint, horizontal piles are negative and soul-deadening, and vertical files are dynamic and ready for action. (That’s just my personal experience – I’m no expert!) Thanks for the helpful hints!

By: Alec

Alec — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 02:08:55 +0000

Also I would suggest that you prioritize what is important for your base needs. Often we have, and I am guilty of this as I sit here, too much around us as we believe we use these bits and pieces, when in fact they are just clutter.

By: Jimmy S.

Jimmy S. — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 22:20:46 +0000

Great ideas My desk looks great now!

By: Diane

Diane — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 21:25:21 +0000

Hey Rico – Sorry for the very tardy response. The notification got overlooked in my Inbox and I just found it as I was cleaning up. The chair looks great! I’ll investigate further…I’m sure my back would love it!!

By: Diane

Diane — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:12:11 +0000

Indeed I am. Thanks! I added a bit more to my knowledge, and I’ll use it as a reference for others as needed.

By: Rico

Rico — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:22:54 +0000

So very true. Just purchased a Leap chair and it’s fantastic. I’ve been spending more time at the computer, and that is definitely needed.

Steelcase Leap

(I hope that link showed up…if not, http://www.steelcase.com/en/products/category/seating/task/leap/pages/overview.aspx)

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:11:44 +0000

Thanks for the reminder. You might be interested in our interview with Kevin Butler about ergonomic issues.

By: Diane

Diane — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:37:35 +0000

I just came upon this article after following a link from the desk »”>messy desk article…all very helpful, as I’m trying to help someone reorganize their office. HOWEVER, I really wish people who spend so much of their lives at a desk (as we do) would not forget to mention, follow, and place great importance on ergonomics. I didn’t read all the comments so I don’t know if anyone else said something, but when giving advice for office setup, I think it should always be included.

After going through a totally debilitating experience with repetitive strain injuries 15 years ago, which forced me to quit my job and left me permanently susceptible so I can only work part-time (and even now, my hand and wrist are cramping–but I just live with it off ‘n’ on), I am often dismayed and amazed that ergonomics STILL hardly gets attention from anyone who hasn’t yet had a problem. So much can be prevented by proper posture and correct setup of desk, keyboard, mouse, and chair. It’s far, far better to prevent injuries than try to treat them after they occur. By the time the pain starts, then gets our attention when we finally can’t ignore it any more, it’s sort of “too late.” (Yes, that was me–just another normal human being who read all the advice but assumed “that wouldn’t happen to me.”)

Sorry for the rant but maybe it will help one or two readers. It’s surprising to me…with all the dozens of people I’ve worked with, shared my story with (in a simple way, trying not to be a bore but taking an appropriate opportunity if they seemed interested), only two or three ever took me seriously and asked for my advice in correcting their workstation. I walk past most desks with a shudder!

By: Rick

Rick — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:57:45 +0000

Some very useful tips for helping to get my desk more organized.

I especially like the idea of having a scratch notepad nearby. I have been using that one for years and it definitely helps.

By: Victor

Victor — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:08:24 +0000

@Rico: Thanks for your detailed information about how you manage your scanning/OCR process. Perhaps the ScanSnap could help me to digitise some of my reference material after all (e.g. glossaries and articles printed in magazines).
I don’t think I will actually cut up and scan my dozens of dictionaries, and I don’t think I will get to the stage of being completely “paperless”, but I now see potential for streamlining my work – and actually making use of reference material that is now hidden in a magazine on a shelf somewhere.
I have put the ScanSnap on my Amazon “wish list”.

By: Rico

Rico — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:14:34 +0000

I didn’t say I OCRd in 6 minutes. I scanned in 6 minutes. Any computer can OCR a set of files overnight, but that would come with understanding computers. 100 pages / 17 ppm = 5.9 minutes. You can scan at that rate all day, then OCR overnight. A dual core laptop can do wonders these days. OCR is limited to 250 or 500 pages anyway, for a single document, using that software. But multiple books can be done overnight.

Yes you do have to cut the spines off books, etc. I use a jigsaw/Dremel/hand blade combination, but a table saw would probably be best. I’m still looking for the ultimate spine remover. It will be a power tool, that leaves little mess. I have a 2″ book waiting to be scanned, and I am anxious to get her done.

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:59:14 +0000

@Rico – I think Victor does know something about OCR and scanning and that is why he was asking those questions. I have a ScanSnap and I don’t believe I can scan 100 pages of text to an OCRed file in 6 minutes. That may be why Victor was asking about the specs of your computer.

Now I have a question as well. I’m assuming you cut the binding off your books before scanning them. What do you use to cut the binding?

By: Rico

Rico — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:38:20 +0000

It’s not about the computer. It’s about the scanner. Fujitsu Scansnap. You can do your job which ever way you like. But don’t come into a thread about being efficient and start lecturing. I use one computer. If you know nothing about OCR, nothing about high volume scanning and no way of knowing how to search large texts that you’ve scanned, then you really aren’t in a position to question it, are you? Keep your books. You’ll accomplish a fraction of what other people get done who have accepted technology into their world. Usually I find book people to live in the world of make-pretend a lot. Now take the next 2 months and try to find a book that will give you the right answers.