--- title: "Home Office" slug: "home-office" date: "2024-07-28" toc: true pics: desk: css: "image" tip: "Project desk." sources: - "/files/articles/home-office/desk-1024.webp" - src: "/files/articles/home-office/desk-1024.jpg" width: 1024 height: 771 cat-desk: css: "image" tip: "Kitty Says: Good vantage point." sources: - "/files/articles/home-office/cat-desk-1024.webp" - src: "/files/articles/home-office/cat-desk-1024.jpg" width: 1024 height: 771 chair: css: "image" tip: "Work chair." sources: - "/files/articles/home-office/chair-1024.webp" - src: "/files/articles/home-office/chair-1024.jpg" width: 1024 height: 771 cat-chair: css: "image" tip: "Kitty Says: Don't interrupt my nap." sources: - "/files/articles/home-office/cat-chair-1024.webp" - src: "/files/articles/home-office/cat-chair-1024.jpg" width: 1024 height: 771 shelves: css: "image" tip: "Shelves." sources: - "/files/articles/home-office/shelves-1024.webp" - src: "/files/articles/home-office/shelves-1024.jpg" width: 1024 height: 771 cat-shelves: css: "image" tip: "Kitty Says: Look at all this stuff..." sources: - "/files/articles/home-office/cat-shelves-1024.webp" - src: "/files/articles/home-office/cat-shelves-1024.jpg" width: 1024 height: 771 before: css: "image" tip: "My office at the beginning of the month." sources: - "/files/articles/home-office/before-1024.webp" - src: "/files/articles/home-office/before-1024.jpg" width: 1024 height: 771 duron: css: "image" tip: "A 20 year-old CPU that was slow 20 years ago." sources: - "/files/articles/home-office/duron-1024.webp" - src: "/files/articles/home-office/duron-1024.jpg" width: 1024 height: 771 pumpkin: css: "image" tip: "Slick Raspberry Pi 5 case." sources: - "/files/articles/home-office/pumpkin-1024.webp" - src: "/files/articles/home-office/pumpkin-1024.jpg" width: 1024 height: 771 cat-review: css: "image" tip: "Kitty Says: I see several spelling and grammatical errors. Also, why aren't you brushing me?" sources: - "/files/articles/home-office/cat-review-1024.webp" - src: "/files/articles/home-office/cat-review-1024.jpg" width: 1024 height: 771 --- ## Introduction My home office has been [an unusable pile of boxes and old computers][coda] since we moved to this house a few years ago. We started working on it this month. After several weekends of unpacking boxes, organizing or [recycling][] old stuff, and assembling new furniture, I finally have a home office which is suitable for work and has plenty of space for projects. ## Desk [{{< pe-figure "desk" >}}][desk-full] Corner desk for working on computers and electronics. The goal was to have enough desk space for a utility computer and the parts for couple of long-term projects. The area around the desk is still a work in progress; we still need to buy a better chair, replace the curtains, and repair the damaged drywall. Shown in picture: - [Tangkula L-Shaped Computer Desk][desk-amazon]: 24" depth for working on computers. L-shaped to fit in the corner. - [Samsung 32" UJ59 Series 4K UHD Computer Monitor][monitor]: 32" 4K monitor with two [HDMI][] inputs. One of the [HDMI][] inputs is connected to `pumpkin`, the utility [Pi 5][pi5], and the other [HDMI][] input is used for whatever system I am working on at that moment. - [Arteck Universal Backlit 7-Colors Bluetooth Keyboard][keyboard]: Full-size backlit [Bluetooth][] keyboard with integrated touchpad. - [USB][] Keyboard: Make and model unknown. Often used with a [PS/2][] adapter (yeesh) for old computers. - [Raspberry Pi 5 8GB (pumpkin)][pi5]: Connected to the [monitor][] and [bluetooth keyboard][keyboard]. Low power, small form-factor utility computer used for reading documentation, flashing [microSD][] cards, and working with [USB][] peripherals. - [Logitech G5 USB Mouse][mouse]: Ancient [USB][] mouse. Used for old computers. - [Raspberry Pi 5 8GB (lemon)][pi5]: Headless [SBC][sbc] with the green [LED][] in the tall round plastic food container to the right of the monitor. Used for [ARM Cortex-A76][a76] software development and testing. - [Odroid N2L (pizza)][n2l]: Headless [SBC][sbc] with the red [LED][] in the short round delivery food container to the right of the monitor. Used for [ARM Cortex-A73][a73] software development and testing. - [Monoprice Maker Select 3D Printer V2][3d-printer]: 3D printer. Hasn't been used for a few years. - Several old computers. I am clearing and [recycling][] them as time permits. [{{< pe-figure "cat-desk" >}}][cat-desk] ## Chair [{{< pe-figure "chair" >}}][chair-full] We organized this corner of the office so it feels like a tiny living room because I do not like I do not like working on a computer while sitting in an office chair at a desk. Instead, I prefer sitting in a comfy chair next to a coffee table with enough space for a couple of laptops, some gadgets, and a beverage. Shown in picture: - [La-Z-Boy Recliner][recliner]: Don't know the exact model. Before buying this recliner I went through a series of chairs that either broke or wore out within a couple of years. This recliner has worked flawlessly for 10 years. - [Blackout Curtains][]: Bright light gives me a headache, so these curtains block it. - Coffee Table: Bought at [Kmart][] many years ago. Make and model unknown. I like the wood finish and the bottom shelf. I'm told this is a "shaker" style coffee table. - [Side Tables][]: We bought these for our living room but they didn't really fit. I like the marble so I commandeered them for my office. - [Tissue Box Cover][]: Without this cover I can't remove a tissue from a small tissue box without dragging the entire box off the table. - [Rug][]: Easier on my feet than a cold hardwood floor. Also protects the floor from scratches. Not sold in the US any more. - [Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, 9th Gen][x1-carbon]: Personal laptop running [Debian Linux][]. Awesome laptop with a fantastic keyboard. Shown in the picture above to the right of the recliner. - [Microsoft Surface Book][surface-book]: Work laptop. Awful laptop with a mushy keyboard and terrible battery life. Shown in the picture above in the center of the coffee table. - [Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II][soundlink-mini]: [Bluetooth][] speaker that is surprisingly loud for it's size. - [Baseus USB C Charger][baseus]: [GaN charger][] used to power both laptops, the [Bluetooth speaker][soundlink-mini], and other [USB][] devices as-needed. Shown in the picture below on the lower shelf of the coffee table. We have four of these chargers throughout the house. By the way, most of the [Pis][] and [SBCs][sbc] in our house are named after [pies][]: - shown in picture: `lemon`, `pizza`, and `pumpkin` - located elsewhere in house: `fish`, `keylime`, `peach`, and `pecan` - dead: `cherry` and `meat` [{{< pe-figure "cat-chair" >}}][cat-chair] ## Shelves [{{< pe-figure "shelves" >}}][shelves-full] Storage shelves with lots of clearly labeled transparent bins so I can quickly find what I'm looking for. The boxes in the closet still need to be unpacked and organized. Shown in picture: - [Bookcases][]: Bookcases with adjustable-height shelves that fit perfectly in the available space. The style also matches my [desk][desk-amazon] and [rug][]. - [12 Quart Clear Storage Bins][bins]: I picked these bins because their depth, height, and width were a good match for the bookcase shelves. I bought 12 bins total (two 6 packs) and have 3 remaining. [{{< pe-figure "cat-shelves" >}}][cat-shelves] ## Coda Below are some pictures which didn't fit in the sections above. This is how my office looked at the beginning of the month: [{{< pe-figure "before" >}}][before] Most of the computers in the back corner of the picture above were junk and have been [recycled][recycling]. A particularly egregious example: [{{< pe-figure "duron" >}}][duron] On a more positive note: I think the [case][vilros-case] for `pumpkin` (the [Pi][pi5] below the monitor on the desk) looks pretty slick: [{{< pe-figure "pumpkin" >}}][pumpkin] The case is a passive [heat sink][heat sink]: the inside has metal strips and a thermal pad which draw heat from the CPU then dissipate it via air channels on top of the case. The case does have a fan, but it only spins up for a few seconds at boot and is not active during normal use (at least for my workload). **Update (2023-07-29):** While reviewing this article: [{{< pe-figure "cat-review" >}}][cat-review] **Update (2023-07-30):** Add links, fix typos, improve wording. [desk-full]: /files/articles/home-office/desk.jpg "Project desk." [cat-desk]: /files/articles/home-office/cat-desk.jpg "Kitty Says: Good vantage point." [desk-amazon]: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SD9PMWY "Tangkula L-Shaped Computer Desk (amazon.com)" [monitor]: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CS3JGPC "SAMSUNG 32\" UJ59 Series 4K UHD Computer Monitor (amazon.com)" [hdmi]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI "High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)" [pis]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry_Pi "Raspberry Pi" [pi5]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry_Pi#Series_and_generations "Raspberry Pi 5" [keyboard]: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KLPJQPD "Arteck Universal Backlit 7-Colors Bluetooth Keyboard (amazon.com)" [mouse]: https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Gaming-Adjustable-Weight-Cartridge/dp/B000ODN7VM "Logitech G5 USB Mouse (amazon.com)" [bluetooth]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth "Short-range wireless technology standard." [microsd]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SD_card#microSD "MicroSD form-factor memory cards" [usb]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB "Universal Serial Bus (USB)" [ps/2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS/2_port "PS/2 port" [chair-full]: /files/articles/home-office/chair.jpg "Work chair." [cat-chair]: /files/articles/home-office/cat-chair.jpg "Kitty Says: Don't interrupt my nap." [shelves-full]: /files/articles/home-office/shelves.jpg "Shelves." [cat-shelves]: /files/articles/home-office/cat-shelves.jpg "Kitty Says: Look at all this stuff..." [3d-printer]: https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Printer-Filament-Preloaded-Printable/dp/B018GZBC3Y "Monoprice Maker Select 3D Printer V2" [led]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode "Light-emitting diode (LED)" [sbc]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-board_computer "Single-board computer (SBC)" [n2l]: https://en.odroid.se/products/odroid-n2l-4gb "Odroid N2L" [arm64]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AArch64 "64-bit extension to the ARM instruction set." [a73]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARM_Cortex-A73 "ARM Cortex-A73 CPU" [a76]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARM_Cortex-A76 "ARM Cortex-A76 CPU" [recliner]: https://www.la-z-boy.com/b/living-room-recliners/_/N-musa9i "La-Z-Boy Recliner" [bookcases]: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/billy-bookcase-black-oak-effect-40477340/ "Billy bookcase (ikea.com)" [bins]: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFFFP299 "Clear Storage Latch Box 12 Quart, Plastic Organizing Box/Bin with Lid and Black Handles, 6-Pack (amazon.com)" [rug]: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/koepenhamn-rug-flatwoven-handmade-dark-grey-50374558/ "KÖPENHAMN flatwoven rug, dark grey (ikea.com)" [blackout curtains]: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BC8GXQNB "H.VERSAILTEX 100% Blackout Curtains (amazon.com)" [kmart]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kmart "Kmart department store chain." [side tables]: https://www.westelm.com/products/open-box-hex-side-table-g669/ "Hex Side Table, White Marble/Raw Steel (westelm.com)" [x1-carbon]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ThinkPad_X1_series#X1_Carbon_Gen_9 "Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, 9th Gen (i7-1185G7)" [surface-book]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_Book_3 "Microsoft Surface Book 3" [soundlink-mini]: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WK47VEW "Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II (amazon.com)" [baseus]: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B71GPGQD "Baseus USB C Charger (amazon.com)" [tissue box cover]: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07VC4N94T "Monarch Abode Hand Hammered Tissue Box Square Cover Holder (amazon.com)" [recycling]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_waste_recycling "electronic waste recycling" [before]: /files/articles/home-office/before.jpg "My office at the beginning of the month." [duron]: /files/articles/home-office/duron.jpg "A 20 year-old CPU that was slow 20 years ago." [pumpkin]: /files/articles/home-office/pumpkin.jpg "Slick Raspberry Pi 5 case." [heat sink]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_sink "Passive CPU heat exchanger." [vilros-case]: https://vilros.com/products/vilros-aluminum-alloy-passive-and-active-cooling-cooling-raspberry-pi-5-case-cnc-crafted "Vilros Duo Deluxe Raspberry Pi 5 Case" [coda]: #coda "pile of crap" [cat-review]: /files/articles/home-office/cat-review.jpg "Kitty Says: I see several spelling and grammatical errors. Also, why aren't you brushing me?" [debian linux]: https://debian.org/ "Debian Linux" [pies]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pies,_tarts_and_flans "List of pies, tarts, and flans" [gan charger]: https://www.howtogeek.com/509209/what-is-a-gan-charger-and-why-will-you-want-one/ "Gallium Nitride (GaN) charger (howtogeek.com)"