@bryanlunduke you asked about any open hardware for home automation. Check out Open Sprinkler http://rayshobby.net/opensprinkler/ The projects is open with all the software and hardware files on Github https://github.com/rayshobby/opensprinkler
There is a version for Raspberry Pi or Beagle Bone Black. I’ve not installed one myself but it’s on my list of things I’d like to do.
Well, that was anticlimactic: it went to full volume, without as much as a snarky remark.
Hi, I’ve bought one of the ergotron standing desks last year and quite like it.
It’s easy to mount and move because it clamps on the table edge. I should note
that I used it for about four months at my previous job. I brought it to my
new workplace and immediately took it back home sinced it looked very silly
on an open workspace ‘island’ with three other coworkers at it, and the small
monitor I have was to light for the adjustable spring system to counter, so it
always floats up.
An important thing is to note the wheight of your monitor when ordering. I got
the ergotron single HD version, and the lift force is quite big. At my
previous job I had an older and bigger screen, even that was to light to
counter the spring suspension. So I improvised by attaching a heavy magnet I
had laying around to the vesa mount area. (Yeah I know, magnets are a bad idea
close to electronics). At my new job, the 21.5" monitor was really to light, so
I ordered a worksurface, hoping I could fix something heavy underneath it, the surface
on its own didn’t make it heavy enough and when I couldn’t think of a decent way to
make it heavyer, I gave up and kept the standing desk at home, on an old rollable
computer table.
I really recommend getting a chair with adjustable arm rests for sitting, and get
yourself a small keyboard so you don’t need the slideout mouserest. I prefer a
M570 trackball to go with an apple keyboard (small usb version without keypad).
The spring suspension is really nice, it keeps its height properly, and it’s
easy to switch from sitting to standing, just push the platform upwards.
At home I have a 23" monitor, without vesa mount however, so I improvised a
mount in alumin(i)um. This setup is really nice for coding, for reading
paper (like sheet music, with an ikea laptop stand on it), and for soldering.
I have a laminated wooden board (used to be part of said old computer table) on
which I keep my solder station, and I put it on the worksurface when I need it.
At home I tend to stand on a foam knee pad (marketed for gardening
purposes). On the job I walked around on running shoes because I didn’t feel like
spending more money on a standing mat.
I work tech support at a Law Firm and have Crohns Disease. Without going into too much graphic detail, sitting for 7 hours a day is a literally a pain in the arse. After having to have some time off sick with a bad attack recently, HR were on the case and funded an experiment with a sit/stand desk.
They got me one of these https://www.humanscale.com/products/product.cfm?group=quickstand
All I can say is that they’re awesome. For me, it’s started solving problems I didn’t realize I had.
The two things I have to say is if you’re going to try this, yes GET A MAT! But also, this solution won’t work for you if you’re messy and can’t get out of the habit of being messy. Aside from that, It isn’t going to be for everybody, but 80% of the people who’ve had a go at my desk, say they like it and wouldn’t mind trying it.
Heh.
I had a standing desk once. Took it to obedience classes… now it sits on command 