Working from home? These tech tools might help!

[BamaNation]

I'm starting this thread for those who are going to be working from home and have no idea what they might need or get. This thread is inspired by the WSJ article below.

Working From Home Because of Coronavirus? These Are Your Tech Fixes

Many companies are encouraging employees to work from home—or at least be prepared to do so—because of the spreading coronavirus. Time to update your tech!

www.wsj.com

Here's some of the stuff I use in my "TideFans command module"

• Laptop stand
• 21:9 Ultrawide External Monitor (Fixed the link - not exactly one I use but similar)
• 27" External Monitor (Fixed the link - not exactly one I use but very close)
• 12-outlet power strip
• Thick mousepad (These are AWESOME)
• Anker cables
• Anker portable chargers
• Dell D6000 Docking Station
• Desk lamp
• Logitech wireless keyboard & mouse combo (there are MUCH cheaper versions out there but I've had this for many many years and never a problem)
• Bluetooth mouse
• Gaming headphones with mic
• HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 Printer

You might also check out https://TheWirecutter.com - that's my go to recommendation site.


*** Fixed the monitor links. These aren't the specific ones I have (no longer available) but are close enough.

 

[B1GTide]

Hopefully your employer pays for all this stuff.

 

[BamaNation]

Hopefully your employer pays for all this stuff.

I like toys most has been accumulated over last 10 or so years. I try to buy nice things that last or sometimes I will get returns or refurbs off woot.com at deep discounts.

I have virtually same setup at my campus office. Makes it so much more efficient.

 

[B1GTide]

I like toys most has been accumulated over last 10 or so years. I try to buy nice things that last or sometimes I will get returns or refurbs off woot.com at deep discounts.

I have virtually same setup at my campus office. Makes it so much more efficient.

Yeah, I have all of this with dual monitors in my home office, but I got my company to buy it for me. More productive.

But I would still have it if they had refused. I am also a gadget guy.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I think my home office is all set.

 

[BamaNation]

@crimsonaudio : You win

 

[BamaNation]

Just want to note that YOUR home office tools are probably not as useful to non-multi-Grammy-award-winners-and-nominees

 

[crimsonaudio]

Just want to note that YOUR home office tools are probably not as useful to non-multi-Grammy-award-winners-and-nominees

Probably not, but you should experience a movie in there!

 

[BamaNation]

Probably not, but you should experience a movie in there!

I accept

 

[crimsonaudio]

 

[DzynKingRTR]

Had to come to the office VPN was just not connecting.

While researching xfinity told me i needed to use "bridge". FYI DO NOT DO THAT! I have now completely lost internet and need to do a factory reset to get it back.

 

[B1GTide]

Had to come to the office VPN was just not connecting.

While researching xfinity told me i needed to use "bridge". FYI DO NOT DO THAT! I have now completely lost internet and need to do a factory reset to get it back.

Here is what I found on their website. I would set the security option to medium or low and try to connect. Looks like the high setting would block your VPN tool.

How to Set Up Firewalls for Xfinity Gateways

 

[DzynKingRTR]

Here is what I found on their website. I would set the security option to medium or low and try to connect. Looks like the high setting would block your VPN tool.

How to Set Up Firewalls for Xfinity Gateways

The admin tool isn't working for me. It tells me it took too long check internet.

 

[B1GTide]

The admin tool isn't working for me. It tells me it took too long check internet.

That is nuts - never tried to troubleshoot an xfinity router before, but you should be able to plug directly into it and connect if necessary. The configs are on the router itself.

 

[tidefanbeezer]

The two monitor links appear to link to the laptop stand. Would be interested in the monitors you use.

 

[BamaNation]

The two monitor links appear to link to the laptop stand. Would be interested in the monitors you use.

Thanks - Fixed the links to some *similar* monitors b/c the exact ones I have are not available. The ones linked are much better at a lower cost than what I have

Specifically, I have a 20" Samsung Syncmaster and an AOC 21:9 29". If I'm buying today, I would get a 27-34" + the 34" LG 21:9. Nothing fancy, but when I got the 21:9, NOBODY I knew had one. I love it.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

That is nuts - never tried to troubleshoot an xfinity router before, but you should be able to plug directly into it and connect if necessary. The configs are on the router itself.

Factory reset of my router and turning off one of my firewalls, rebooted both my computer at home and work. Connected just a few minutes ago. I will be at home the rest of the week and beyond.

 

[B1GTide]

Factory reset of my router and turning off one of my firewalls, rebooted both my computer at home and work. Connected just a few minutes ago. I will be at home the rest of the week and beyond.

Glad that you got it sorted out. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

I think my home office is all set.

View attachment 6626

He's been called "Mr. Magic Ear" by musicians I know...

 

[Jon]

My set up 2 personal 24 inch monitors driven off a high end chromebook with Anker USB C HDMI Power hubs, a Cisco DX 80 24 inch HD Video endpoint and then 2 24 inch monitors driven by my corporate laptop. have the entire setup on one great big desk with a 40 inch tv above (with a switch so I can drive it off the chromebook if I want)

as a longtime home worker my advice.

Keep them separate, work machine is NOT for personal use at all

Mute your personal device at all times, nothing worse than getting a funny message from a friend with a video link that auto plays on a call

shut down at the end of the day, hard to leave work at work when it is in your home but you have to or you will burn out fast

Anker makes great devices and stands by them. One of mine burned out and Anker sent me a new one no questions asked after filling out a warranty form online.