Comments on: Reader Question: Setting Up a Home Office

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 15:14:36 +0000

My desks certainly have some drawbacks. The materials is less of an issue than the lack of storage. It kind of forces you to be minimalistic or messy.

By: Alec

Alec — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:46:19 +0000

I agree with your list , with the exception of the glass table top. This would drive me insane. The finger marks and scratches and yes the return is an excuse to leave things lay around. I would definitely, just have the one desk and just have your lap top and essentials at hand.

By: EddieZ

EddieZ — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:43:51 +0000

You are doing a better job of managing files than I did, that’s for sure. I was really unconcerned until I lost data, which is a rude awakening. I just upgraded my Mac to Leopard, I am going to try out the Time Machine thing – I believe that helps with accidental erasure, I will let you know how it goes.

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:39:54 +0000

@Eddie – That external drive is used to backup stuff. The only other stuff I keep on it are files that I can recreate easily. For example, I copy my clip art to it from CDs and DVDs for faster access, but I can always pull them off the original media if the drive goes away.

Drobo looks like a nice product, but it doesn’t protect you from accidental erasure. I like the way it handles raid configuration on the fly though.

By: EddieZ

EddieZ — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:06:09 +0000

I see you have an external hard drive… I had almost the exact same setup, and I had a disaster – the drive failed. I had about half of my files on the laptop, but everything that was just on the external drive was lost =(

I just bought a Drobo, it’s some crazy storage robot thing, my nephew bought it for me and set it up (even though I think I could have even figured it out). Supposedly the data on the Drobo is safe now, so that gives me some peace of mind (a bit late, but I learned).

Eddie

By: Neil Kelty

Neil Kelty — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:19:15 +0000

Mark:

Thanks for the email back and I enjoyed the post! It should help for my move early next year.

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 17:37:03 +0000

@Ben – Where did you get your desk? I was looking for the matching bookshelf and I can’t seem to find it anywhere. I’ve found a lot of similar desks, but with really thin glass.

I keep a role of paper towels and windex behind some books on a nearby bookshelf. If I wipe it down once per week when I tidy up my desk it generally keeps things nice and clean. The keyboard tray helps because it keeps your hands off the glass.

By: Ben Brooks

Ben Brooks — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:58:48 +0000

Hey we use the same desk. Any tips on keeping it clean? Seems that I have a bottle of Windex at hand.