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---
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: "State of office before our improvements."
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
We never set up my home office; it has been [an unusable pile of boxes
and old computers][coda] since we moved to this house a few years ago.
We finally started working on my home office this month. We spent spare
nights and weekends over several weeks unpacking boxes, organizing or
[recycling][] old stuff, and assembling new furniture.
The result: I now have a home office which is suitable for work and has
plenty of space for projects.
## Desk
[{{< pe-figure "desk" >}}][desk-full]
Desk for working on computers and electronics. The goal was to have
enough surface area 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
replace the curtains, buy a better chair, and fix the hole in the
drywall (left by electricians when they fixed the wiring in our house).
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: Used for old computers, with a [PS/2][] adapter if
necessary. Make and model unknown.
- [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]
I do not like sitting in an office chair at a desk. Instead, I prefer
sitting in a comfy chair in front of a table that has enough room for
a couple of laptops, some gadgets, and a beverage.
We organized this corner of the office so it feels like a mini living
room.
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: Make and model unknown. I like the wood finish and the
bottom shelf. I think I bought it at a (now closed) [Kmart][]. 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 the 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 on
stand to the right of the recliner.
- [Microsoft Surface Book][surface-book]: Work laptop on coffee table.
- [Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II][soundlink-mini]: Great
speaker.
- [Baseus USB C Charger][baseus]: Used to power both laptops, the
[Bluetooth speaker][soundlink-mini], and other [USB][]
devices like my phone and bluetooth headset. Located on the lower
shelf of the coffee table (shown in picture below).
By the way, all of the [Pis][] and [SBCs][sbc] in our house are named
after pies:
- shown in picture above: `pumpkin`, `lemon`, and `pizza`
- located elsewhere in house: `pecan`, `keylime`, `peach`, and `fish`
- hardware failed: `cherry` and `meat`
[{{< pe-figure "cat-chair" >}}][cat-chair]
## Shelves
[{{< pe-figure "shelves" >}}][shelves-full]
This section of the room has shelves for storage. Everything is
organized into transparent bins which are clearly labeled. The boxes in
the closet still need to be unpacked and sorted through.
Shown in picture:
- [Bookcases][]: Bookcases with adjustable height shelves that fit
perfectly in the space available on this wall.
- [12 Quart Clear Storage Bins][bins]: I bought 12 bins total (two 6
packs) and have 3 bins remaining.
[{{< pe-figure "cat-shelves" >}}][cat-shelves]
## Coda
Here are some pictures which did'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 were junk and have been
[recycled][recycling]. A particularly egregious example:
[{{< pe-figure "duron" >}}][duron]
On a more positive note.
I am using a [case][vilros-case] with passive and active cooling for
`pumpkin` (the [Pi 5][pi5] on the desk). The case is a passive [heat
sink][heat sink]: it has metal strips and a thermal pad on the inside
which draw heat from the CPU, and the heat is dissipated by air channels
on top of the case. The case does have a fan, but it is not active
during normal use (at least for my workload); it only spins up for a few
seconds at boot.
Anyway, I think the case looks pretty slick:
[{{< pe-figure "pumpkin" >}}][pumpkin]
**Update (2023-07-29):** While reviewing this article:
[{{< pe-figure "cat-review" >}}][cat-review]
[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 19427 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
"State of office before our improvements."
[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?"
|
