[CQ-Contest] Size of Dual Monitors

[N1MM]

I have worked in computers all my life.  I own two pairs of bifocals.  
One is progressive for driving.  They let me drive, read maps and focus 
on the speedometer all with one pair of glasses.

The other pair is computer-distance on the top and reading on the 
bottom.  This lets me work on the computer and see the keyboard or read 
something with the bottom portion.  I did not like the progressives for 
this purpose. The area in which the focus is sharp is small at computer 
distances with progressives.  I have to move my head too much with them.

The key thing with computer glasses is to *measure* how far your eyes 
are from the screen.  I made a bad estimate of that at the 
ophthalmologist once and had to get another exam and new glasses. Tell 
whomever does your refraction that distance and do the reading test at 
that distance.  It matters.

73,
Tom - N1MM

On 3/17/2014 10:12 AM, Steve Bookout wrote:
> I second that!  Computer glasses are a must, especially when the 
> monitor is a bit higher and you wear bi-focals.
>
> Very fatiguing otherwise.
>
> 73 de Steve, NR4M
>
> On 3/17/2014 9:56 AM, Steve London wrote:
>> My SO2R layout is essentially the same as Bill's. In addition to 
>> having the monitor down low, I would also recommend a separate set of 
>> computer-distance eyeglasses if you currently use bifocals. With 
>> bifocals, you are constantly having to tip your head upward. If you 
>> know your prescription, you can get a set of computer-distance 
>> glasses for under $10 from www.zennioptical.com .
>>
>> 73,
>> Steve, N2IC
>>
>> On 03/17/2014 07:19 AM, Bill Hider wrote:
>>> Hi Dick,
>>>
>>> Almost exactly 1 year ago, I was where you are now in the SO2R planning
>>> stages.
>>>
>>> Two quick things:
>>>
>>> 1.  The monitor position you mention is too high.  Long-term neck, 
>>> back,
>>> head&  eye fatigue, or worse, may set in for operators who must look 
>>> upward
>>> at monitors for extended periods of time.  My experience in corporate
>>> America bears this out.  Long ago, corporate and OSHA research have
>>> determined that PC monitors must be viewed "downward"; lowering the 
>>> users'
>>> look angle to where the head is physically pointing down at the 
>>> monitors
>>> will reduce such physical stress.
>>>
>>> 2. When I did the monitor size research you are asking for, I measured
>>> dozens of monitors at local PC big-box stores.  I used the monitors' 
>>> visible
>>> screen area, in square inches, as my unit of measure.  I wanted to 
>>> maximize
>>> the visual (PC desktop) real estate and minimize the actual desktop
>>> footprint since I was able to design my shack operating position from
>>> scratch.  I learned that the square monitor did not provide optimal 
>>> real
>>> estate.  So, I went with the modern flat-screen format.  My process of
>>> measuring monitors' visual screen area allowed me to more precisely 
>>> simulate
>>> my operating conditions for placement of my N1MM windows before I 
>>> purchased
>>> anything.  I ultimately selected LED screen technology.
>>>
>>> And after 9 months and 14 contests using my new shack, I am quite 
>>> pleased
>>> with these two decisions.
>>>
>>> I recommend you take a look at my complete write-up on all this on my
>>> website for further details.
>>>
>>> My website: http://users.erols.com/n3rr
>>> Click on any of the SO2R links.
>>>
>>> I'll be glad to answer any further questions you may have.
>>>
>>> 73!
>>>
>>> Bill, N3RR
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: CQ-Contest [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On 
>>> Behalf Of
>>> Dick Flanagan
>>> Sent: Monday, March 17, 2014 4:29 AM
>>> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
>>> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Size of Dual Monitors
>>>
>>> I need help from the Masters.
>>>
>>> I am in the planning stages of a SO2R station.  The center piece 
>>> will be the
>>> two radios and two LED computer displays above the radios. The displays
>>> will be side-by-side and supporting all of the
>>> contesting/logging/propagation windows driven by one central contesting
>>> computer.  I could be talked into having two computers--one for each
>>> display--but I would appreciate if that discussion were held another 
>>> day.
>>>
>>> Today I am looking for assistance in choosing the proper LED display
>>> terminals. What is the optimal size of these monitors?  They can be 
>>> long and
>>> skinny or basically square.  Has experience shown that one 
>>> particular screen
>>> size and/or aspect radio to be better than another in this 
>>> application?  I
>>> am partial to Samsung, but I can be talked out of that too if 
>>> appropriate.
>>>
>>> The displays will be mounted above the radios slightly above eye 
>>> level with
>>> their fronts basically even with the front panel of the radios. No
>>> wall-mounted monitors here.
>>>
>>> Once the displays are chosen, then possible we can wander off into 
>>> the one
>>> vs. two computer forest.
>>>
>>> So those of you with two terminals displays, let us know what you 
>>> hate about
>>> them, what you love, what you would do different.  Help me avoid the
>>> mistakes I am destined to make without your help.
>>>
>>> Needless to say, Thank YOU!
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> Dick Flanagan K7VC
>>> dick at k7vc.com
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> CQ-Contest mailing list
>>> CQ-Contest at contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>>>
>>>
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