Working from Home - Ideas and Best Practices

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by NYGator, Mar 18, 2020.

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Who is currently working from home or expects to be shortly?

  1. Working from home

    81.4%
  2. Expect to shortly

    1.4%
  3. Can't work from home due to job requirements

    12.4%
  4. Not working from home but probably could

    3.4%
  5. Got laid off

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  6. I didn't have a job to begin with

    1.4%
  1. NP13

    NP13 MC OG
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    Wait, TMB isn't self care?
     
  2. WillySaliba

    WillySaliba Well-Known Member
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    Full time WFH here. If you have an iPad or tablet almost all of them have every business app you can think of. Examples, I have Teams, BlueJeans, Webex, Zoom, Cisco, GoTo Meeting, GChat and some more apps on my iPad. I take all calls on my iPad which keeps your PC and phone free. Really helps me get more shit done on pointless calls.

    Also I'm with you Name P. Redacted fuck the camera people. Easy excuse now, bandwidth in the house is shit.
     
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  3. jplaYa

    jplaYa CHAMPZY/SMOLTZY/CHELSEA
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    :roll:
     
  4. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    This is a great idea, going to utilize it.

    Day 3 working from home under quarantine, prolly did it a few times/month before all this. Going to try and get more efficient and do it 1-2x/week if all goes well. Have an old dog that I can take for walks and I make better coffee than work.

    I also finally obtained a mouse for my laptop which makes things much smoother.

    Question - my work laptop has like a docking station, so when I show up to work I just plug it in and it streams to two monitors. Is it possible to buy a docking station + one more monitor, so that when I bring my laptop home I can plug it in and have 2 screens going?
     
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  5. WillySaliba

    WillySaliba Well-Known Member
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    Absolutely. Pretty easy to do.
     
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  6. NYGator

    NYGator Well-Known Member
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  7. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    What kind of pricetag? Couple hundred?
     
  8. WillySaliba

    WillySaliba Well-Known Member
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    Really depends on the make/model. I'm not a PC guy so I could not even ball park for you. I think mine was $150 or so for a Surface but I did not pay for it.
     
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  9. WillySaliba

    WillySaliba Well-Known Member
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    Also, like I said I am not a PC guy so if someone else wants to chime in and correct me that would be great.

    Make sure you have the correct cables to be able to hook up to your monitors.
     
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  10. Name P. Redacted

    Name P. Redacted I have no money and I'm also gay
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    Yes you can just buy another dock. They’re usually several hundred dollars. Why not just take the dock and monitors from work?
     
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  11. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    I won't be able to WFH full time, so 2 setups would be preferable.
     
  12. Name P. Redacted

    Name P. Redacted I have no money and I'm also gay
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    you're looking at ~$500 minimum for a dock with two monitors then.
     
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  13. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Could I possibly do a dock + 1 monitor, but also have my laptop as another monitor? I've seen some people at work do this.
     
  14. dallasdawg

    dallasdawg does the tin man have a sheet metal cock?
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    here’s what i just got for my home office

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B075M1XHCK?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

    from there, it just depends on what cords you may already have/need, and what monitor you want

    after that, it depends on what you want to spend. you can go crazy with it with mounts, etc
     
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  15. Name P. Redacted

    Name P. Redacted I have no money and I'm also gay
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    Kansas State WildcatsSeattle Kraken

    Yes you could do that too.
    My work just abandoned all Thunderbolt docks because they were dogshit. That is likely more a problem with the specific model of dock we had (Lenovo something), and not with Thunderbolt as a whole. They gave us USB-C monitors instead that daisy chain and connect to the USB-C port on my laptop.
     
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  16. THF

    THF BITE THE NUTS, THUMB IN THE ASS!
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    Another buddy was asking about Monitors so I did some research last night. Looks like this is one of the most popular ones out there.

    https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E168242...=vg278qr&cm_re=vg278qr-_-24-236-994-_-Product

    You can get it in the 24in version for about $180 each.

    I have a dell so I ordered a Dell Docking station off Amazon for about $150. Not sure which docking station you need.

    Depending on what you have, you might be able to get away with this instead of a full docking station depending on your laptop:

    If you need cables, Monoprice is the best place I have gone to get them. Lifetime warranty so if they ever stop working, just chat them and save the receipt in your email. I usually order all my apple iphone cables from them as well.

    Make sure your ad blocker is turned off.
     
  17. Name P. Redacted

    Name P. Redacted I have no money and I'm also gay
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    Kansas State WildcatsSeattle Kraken

    That is WAY overkill for a simple work monitor. I'd recommend a 24"-27" 1440p resolution monitor.
     
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  18. TYdeFan05

    TYdeFan05 gOATS ™
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    I bought a BenQ 4K monitor for photo editing (personal use) and excel spreadsheet engineering in the daytime. When i share my screen all the plebes using their laptop screen can’t see shit, captain.

    On that note. Most of my days are now spent watching people with PhDs in either chemistry or engineering who share PowerPoint presentations on Teams. Every time with the ribbon and notes sections blown up on top and bottom, a sidebar with all their files that were recovered without saving, another bar with the slide previews, then a postage stamp sized table with all the data they are trying to share. How do you go to school until you’re 30 and not posses the ability to continue your growth independently?

    Cabin fever is making me insane...I need to chill.
     
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  19. NYGator

    NYGator Well-Known Member
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    AOC is a really solid cheaper brand for monitors. I have two curved 32” 144hz AOCs. They are priced very aggressively and very dependable, and they are named after one of our favorite politicians.
     
  20. jkun

    jkun UGA, United, Falcons, Braves, Tennis, Chelsea
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    I've got a 34" 4k curved Samsung monitor with built in thunderbolt charging but the only reason is because I didn't have to pay for it.

    My team had to put together a WFH guide (even though we had no clue what we were doing) for our entire company
     
  21. Pasta88

    Pasta88 Canes, Bruins, Raps, Jays and Sunderland.
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    I feel like the majority of young people are struggling because they don’t have a proper office set-up. This is me - no spare office room, no office chair, no extra monitor, etc.

    But then for the older people, while they may have a spare room office, they have kids running around that they also maybe have to teach.
     
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  22. Simon Templar

    Simon Templar Well-Known Member
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    I’ve worked from home while not traveling for the last decade plus now. My wife is new to it but fortunately we have separate work spaces in the home. My office is upstairs over the garage, she has a work space off the kitchen and our son holds down the basement. We all pretty much have our own floor which is making this much easier but the mean mugs I get when making lunch is about to send me to Jupiter.
     
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  23. Bruce Bowen

    Bruce Bowen Well-Known Member
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    The lack of proper setup is a killer. I was visiting my parents last month and got a 27" monitor while I was home to work off of. On one of my days off I had to fight with my Mom to get her to use my monitor, wireless mouse/keyboard. I then watched her open a window, minimize it, then open a spreadsheet to input data from first window. I showed her how to put the two windows side by side on the monitor. By the end of the day she talked to her president and had approval to purchase a full home setup. People really don't know the benefits till they use it then you can't go back.
     
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  24. Bruce Bowen

    Bruce Bowen Well-Known Member
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  25. NYGator

    NYGator Well-Known Member
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    I own two Aussies so I got a chuckle out of this...

    [​IMG]
     
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  26. NYGator

    NYGator Well-Known Member
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    Idea for some of you guys...

    Today I started an all-hands event on my calendar for my 60 employees connected to a google hangout meeting for the next 30 days 24/7. I entitled it "The Water Cooler." Here is what I wrote in the invite...

    Feeling isolated?

    Craving interaction?

    Well, we all understand so we are setting up this daily hangout chat for everyone to connect and chat with anyone in the company throughout the day. This is a virtual water cooler, and it's intent is to provide a source of connection throughout the day. Anyone is entitled to join at any time. Feel free to collaborate, chat, or just keep your camera on while you work. Interact when you feel like it. I encourage everyone to participate from time to time when you aren't heads down or in a meeting, even if it means you turn it on for an hour or so here and there. Enjoy, and have fun getting to know each other!
     
    #126 NYGator, Mar 31, 2020
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2020
  27. Thoros of Beer

    Thoros of Beer Academy Award-Winning Actor, Tim Allen
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    Introverts out here thriving, this is my super bowl
     
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  28. Bruce Bowen

    Bruce Bowen Well-Known Member
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    upload_2020-3-31_19-34-21.png
     

    Attached Files:

  29. Simon Templar

    Simon Templar Well-Known Member
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    I’ve been preparing for this moment for a decade
     
  30. NP13

    NP13 MC OG
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    Literally nothing has changed in my life, other than the ability to go places that I never go to anyways.

    Well, other than high anxiety.
     
  31. THF

    THF BITE THE NUTS, THUMB IN THE ASS!
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    I will let you guys in on a secret that has helped me immensely.

    A good pair of Bluetooth headphones which connect to your phone and work computer are a life saver.

    They are great for the non stop phone calls or Zoom Meetings, and usually Spotify will auto pause when a call or meeting comes in.
     
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  32. AHebrewToo

    AHebrewToo Albino Hebrew Extraordinaire
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    Just don't forget to charge them.

    Nothing worse than the "battery low" warning 10 minutes into a 90 minute call.
     
  33. THF

    THF BITE THE NUTS, THUMB IN THE ASS!
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    Yep. I got a pair that lasts about six hours I love. When I am on a ton of calls I try and recharge them at lunch. Otherwise I am normally good.
     
  34. Name P. Redacted

    Name P. Redacted I have no money and I'm also gay
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    Kansas State WildcatsSeattle Kraken

    Yep screen sharing when you are on 4K is very rough. Thankfully my company is trying to get everyone on 1440p so it’s a happy medium.
     
  35. Name P. Redacted

    Name P. Redacted I have no money and I'm also gay
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    Kansas State WildcatsSeattle Kraken

    One of my coworkers checked in to make sure I’m doing OK since I don’t attend the morning meetings (I’m two time zones behind, no thanks). Like fam I’ve been doing this for two years now I’m good.
     
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  36. Name P. Redacted

    Name P. Redacted I have no money and I'm also gay
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    Kansas State WildcatsSeattle Kraken

    AirPods worked great for this but more people have been using Teams phone calls lately and fucking up my flow.
     
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  37. Thoros of Beer

    Thoros of Beer Academy Award-Winning Actor, Tim Allen
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    My favorite is the extroverted boss who suddenly requires daily zoom meetings which is twice as much contact as we had when we were in the office

    These last about five minutes because we have nothing to talk about
     
  38. AHebrewToo

    AHebrewToo Albino Hebrew Extraordinaire
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    I've worked from home for the last 8 years. People assume that this is no different than my normal work day.

    It is. And I think my dog's change in habits exemplifies that.

    In normal times, I walk my daughter to the school bus around the time my wife drives our soon to preschool. Our dog, an 8 year old pup, usually grabs one stuffed animal from each kid's bed and takes it to the front door where he naps with their familiar scents nearby until they arrive home at 3:30. Sometimes he musters the energy to come see what I'm making for lunch and hope I "drop" something for him, but usually he just rests at the front door all day.

    I've always felt bad and thought he was depressed. But this new coronormal has revealed I was wrong.

    Now, each morning when I re-fill my coffee and head to my home office for the day, he is right on my heels. We make our way to the office where he curls up beside me and naps.

    My dog isn't depressed. He's just an old dog that likes his sleep and having a 10 and 5 year old around all day gets in the way of that.
     
  39. NYGator

    NYGator Well-Known Member
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    saw this zoom fail this morning...



    I was actually on this call today...

     
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  40. cyclist

    cyclist King of the Mountains
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  41. NYGator

    NYGator Well-Known Member
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    Hey guys, my CEO-Peer Group asked me to write-up some things we are doing to keep employees sane and engaged while working remotely. I have shared some of this, but this may be helpful to some of you.

    As promised, here is a summary of what we do to keep employees, engaged, connected, and morale high during these difficult times...

    1. We meet every M,W,F at 12PM for 30 minutes to an hour to discuss company outlook, how everyone is feeling, share family and friend stories, discuss economic outlook, disease progression outlook, best practices for safety and at home health support and treatments.

    2. We have an evergreen Google Hangout Chat called "The Water Cooler" where anyone at any time can hop on and chat with peers while working. It is great to get to know different team members from all roles in the company.

    3. Friday Google Hangout "Social Distancing Happy Hour" where we just grab a cocktail and bullshit. Usually 30-40 people attend. No specific end time.

    4. Friday all hands knowledge sharing where we just do a lunch and learn after our corona update

    5. Virtual Dinner Party. Everyone who chooses to participate gets dressed up and has dinner together. The idea is not everyone has family or friends at home right now, so we wanted to give people an outlet to get together after ours in a social setting. You can even consider allowing them to expense some of this if you have the resources to do so (but not necessary).

    6. Use cloud based tools like google chat, slack, salesforce chatter to keep all-hands and various groups engaged and informed. Setup relief valve groups for off-work topic items to keep things fun. For example some people have a movie and tv show chat. Other people have a chat just to share pictures of animals doing things. Keep it light and give them an outlet to have fun.

    In general, over-communicate. Not only does it build trust and bonds between management and the team, but it is also cathartic in that you don't feel that you are hiding anything, so it relieves the stress of carrying secrets. Think of Cuomo's press conferences. That is the model I try to follow. Be informative, empathetic, and always be clear when you are sharing opinions versus providing data. In general, just show that you care about everyone and make them feel like stakeholders in everything that you are going through together as a company.

    You also have to keep in mind that everyone is cooped up and a good portion of the day is spent with you, so we have a responsibility to try to keep everyone positive and as happy as they can be. Mental health is crucial right now both for sanity and to stay healthy and avoid the worst aspects of the virus that stress can trigger.

    It is amazing the amount of appreciative and thankful posts we receive on a daily basis from how much we communicate. The hope is that this buys us an incredible amount of goodwill going forward and loyalty and dedication in the future.
     
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  42. NP13

    NP13 MC OG
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    Sounds awful.

    But, I'm an extreme introvert.
     
  43. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
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    which ones do you recommend?
     
  44. THF

    THF BITE THE NUTS, THUMB IN THE ASS!
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    You can go pricy or cheap.

    I use the Bose Sound Sport wireless ones a bunch but also use them for running. They run about $100 and work great.

    I picked up a pair of Mpow headphones on Amazon for like $20 bucks and they are great as well. They have the hook over the ears and are semi wireless. Like the bose they only have a wire between them.

    Both work great actually. I think the Bose sound better obviously but not sure they are $80 better.

    I keep two pairs in case I am on calls all day as they last about 6 hours of continuous use.
     
  45. Thoros of Beer

    Thoros of Beer Academy Award-Winning Actor, Tim Allen
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    It's going to be hard to go back to normal
     
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  46. NYGator

    NYGator Well-Known Member
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    Or, you just need to convince your bosses that this should be the new normal.
     
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  47. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    So our office "re-opens" on Monday, and I told my boss I don't really plan on being in the office any time soon.

    To be honest, I cringe at going back to the office for 40-50 hours/week. This quarantine has completely changed my routine, and I think in a good way. I'm now much more efficient working from home, more time with the dog, better exercise, better food. My commute was minimal, but still having that extra time is awesome.

    The only thing that still sucks is my set-up. I still just have my laptop on my dining room table. If I can clear out some clutter I may get a small desk and work chair, but not in the immediate future.
    This is my goal. Going to roll with it for the foreseeable future until it threatens my job security.

    WFH is not for everyone; some people like going into the office and it's a mentality thing. This is my first time WFH for any extended period of time, and I am fucking all about it.

    The only thing is going the extra mile to be social, which I've been good at so far. I imagine it' s much easier in the summer than the winter.
     
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  48. Pasta88

    Pasta88 Canes, Bruins, Raps, Jays and Sunderland.
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    One big mark against a dominant shift toward working from home, at least in the summer period, is lack of air conditioning. There a lot of places in the world where residential AC isn’t really a thing and I can speak from first hand experience today that working from home in 30 degree heat with no AC is not fun.
     
  49. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
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    We speak in Fahrenheit in Amurrica.
     
  50. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
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    Trying to convince my bosses that I no longer need to live in NYC. I can do everything I do in the office at home and once things open back up fully, what’s the difference in me flying from Atlanta to go see clients instead of NYC?
     
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