Welcome to my office…Come on in!
Earlier this summer I shared my temporary work space in gray, windowless CubeLand. I’d like to now share my bright, corner office where I spend way too much of my time.
With windows facing south and west, light floods in on sunny days. On gray winter days, the lime green walls keep the space alive and cheery.
Some of the features that make my work time a little easier and more comfortable include:
- Spill-proof silicone keyboard: A must for this workaholic who eats at her desk. No more gummed up keys!
- Traxsys joystick: Easier for me to control than a mouse. And, it doesn’t cause hand pain like using a mouse does.
- Wrist pad: Placed on the topside of the keyboard (rather than the bottom), I slide my hand along the pad while tying with my left thumb. It places my hand in a slightly different position than without the pad, which reduces the strain.
- Belkin KVM switch: Allows me to switch between my two computers; the latest with a 6-core processor and 4G of RAM was a surprise from my husband upon my return from CubeLand. Such a sweetie!
- Extension cord with switch: Flicking the switch is much easier than twisting a small knob to turn on my lamp.
- Oxford dictionary and thesaurus: Obviously a necessity for any writer to have handy. Sometimes I do look up definitions online, but I still like using a real dictionary and thesaurus. They also serve as a visible reminder that I am a writer.
- Seedlings growing in a can: Conference swag from Accessibility Yahoo — the best swag I’ve received yet. Most of that stuff ends up in the hotel room garbage can while packing.
- Wiskas All Natural Temptations: Treats to keep my cat content while I am trying to work. Product placement perhaps, but if it results in a blog sponsor, bonus! But I really do keep a package of cat treats at my desk.
In terms of software, these are my favourites:
- Sticky Keys: A feature available in Microsoft Windows that enables me to do a multiple-button command (like SHIFT + M) one button at a time.
- WordQ: Word prediction software that saves this left thumb several keystrokes. The “read†feature is handy when proofreading my writing. WordQ finally replaced my beloved EZ Keys.
- TextAloud: The text-to-speech tool I use for creating the audio files for my presentations.
- SnagIt: A handy screen capture and graphics program that I use almost daily.
- FreeMind: An open-source mind-mapping tool that is largely, if not totally, keyboard operable. I use it for keeping track of everything I have on the go and everything I need to do.
And, of course, my office wouldn’t be complete without Faith, my Chief Feline Officer, in her position at my desk.
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