Encounters with Stupidity

Here is my current computer setup, with two side-by-side Samsung 213T monitors. Samsung is coming out with a new 21" model, the 214T, with better refresh time and contrast ratio. So Marcus sold me his old 213T. It's a nice setup -- I'm a fan and proponent of dual monitors. However, two 21.3"-ers is almost too much. They dominate the desktop, of course. For single-window tasks, like reading email or writing this blog, the second monitor is worthless. In fact, it's detrimental, because you have to keep track of where your program window is going to open, and move it if necessary. The productivity gains come in when doing a task like programming. Then, I can have a window with code on the left, and the input or output file on the right monitor. That is very useful. Also, it's nice to have Itunes open on the right and always visible, along with your email inbox and an Explore window. No more searching the taskbar for your programs. Of course if you're a dedicated alt-tab user (to switch between programs in Windows) then dual monitors won't be as much of a boon.

In other news, it's hot in Tucson -- hovering around 100 F when it is supposed to be topping out around 91 or 92 this time of year. My favorite Tucson weather site is the University of Arizona Atmospheric Sciences website. They don't give a forecast, or radar images, but they give data-filled graphs of temp, precip, wind and other fascinating things. The big advantage for me is that the instruments measuring this information are about 400 feet from where I sit. An accurate micro-local picture of the weather.