Back in Business Again (4 monitor configuration on Vista)

Over the past year, I've really been addicted to using my four monitor configuration within Windows XP.  In October, I made the switch to Vista for my main desktop system and have had a difficulty running in this configuration.  First with a couple of ATI X1300 cards, where when I go into 4 monitor mode, one of the screens was half black half green (with RC2, but not fixed in RTM Vista) Then I purchased a couple of NVidia cards, a 7900GS PCI Express card, and an FX 5200 PCI card, I was able to get these working, however I wasn't able to rotate the screen into portrait mode, which is really almost a requirement unless you want to constantly be tweaking your neck to view all the monitors.  The native drivers for NVidia (at least version 9.6.8.5 dated 10/9/2006) did not support any mechanism for doing rotation so I found this very kewl program called iRotate from an excellent company EnTech Taiwan. The following post describes how to tweak your registry to allow for iRotate to work with the NVidia driver.  They have another very cool program called PowerStrip that allows you to do some pretty amazing things with your video card.

Here's a picture of my development workstation...

The most important part of this setup is just to the left of my keyboard (coffee mug).

I think that 4 monitors is actually an excellent environment for doing development, let me explain my setup

From left to right:
1) 900x1440 Monitor - This is really my system dash board, I run Outlook, keep my IM window open, SysInternals (or I guess Microsoft's) Process Explorer and while really "getting into it" I may start an instance of DebugView or CEDebug view on top of those windows.

2) 900x1440 Monitor - Tool windows for VS.NET, I usually have the following configuration, the screen divided from left to right in about 2/3 on the left and 1/3 on the right, the left side is divided just about in 1/2 with the top having the Output and Error List window, the bottom has properties and a couple of cool VS.NET addins I created using the DevExpress DXCore product (if you have any interest in building add-ins for VS.NET you MUST look at this Free, yes I said Free product, it takes care of all the plumbing so you can focus on your task at hand), one addin allows me to bill time and the other has a bunch of metrics like how much time I've spent on classes, methods, billed against clients as well as the number of builds I've performed.  The right side of the screen has my solution explorer from the top to bottom so I can quickly open files.  In my attempt to free myself from using the mouse, I've started to use hot keys to open files, but the jury is still out on if this is more efficient than just using the mouse.  In addition there is a tab on the right side that allows for access to the Team Foundation Server explorer.

3) 1200x1600 Monitor - This is where the "magic" happens, this is my current port between me and the computer for translating the designs I got from my brain into what ever language I'm using (mostly C#)...still think there is a better way to do this, but that's another post for another day...

4) 1200x1600 Monitor - Work space, this is where I test the application I'm working on, open up IE windows, open up file explorer etc..

The idea with this configuration is really to allow for very efficient context switching, it's much easier to turn my head, then open a window, check it out and get back to my main task

Other "stuff" in the pictures:

I just love my Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, it took a little while to get used to but I started without the detachable support on the front that raises the front up about 2" and moved to that after about a week.  I wish it was wireless and had a finger print reader built it, but I've got two of these and feel that I'm at a disadvantage when I can use it.  This is really a good tool to increase the "TX Baud Rate" between the brain and the computer.

I'm impressed with the Logitech mouse line, I had one of the rechargeable ones, but many a time I've been feverously working on a project, the low battery light came on and I didn't have time to recharge before it went dead.  I'm currently using the Logitech MX610 Laser Cordless mouse and like it.  It has a number of feature I don't use, but I like the way if fits in my palm and the battery life is excellent (besides when the battery gets low I just need to grab a couple AA's from my battery drawer and I can continue on with life (instead of get my old corded mouse out while my other one recharges).

PDA Collection

My old workhorse (very powerful processor & lots or memory) the HP iPAQ hx2750

My current phone (jury is still out on this one) the Motorola Q (Smart phone not Pocket PC phone)

And finally my i-mate JasJar, I like this device, in my line of work (not a mobile user) it just isn't a good fit.  I use this for testing VGA resolution applications on mobile devices.

And finally you can see my tablet PC hp TC1100 to the right of the monitors in the first pix, I love this tablet, it's a pure tablet, not a laptop wannabee/tablet wannabee, when I want a laptop, I'm usually using it for something completely different than when I want my tablet.  To my wifes joy, I think I'm going to be upgrading to a UMPC as soon as the right one comes out and she get's the coveted tablet.

- ec