play_blip_movie_370349();
“What does your blogging setup look like?”
This is a question I get quite a lot – so today I want to invite you to come along for a short tour of my home office.
It’s a fairly simple setup really although I do try to make it reasonably comfortable as I’m sitting in it for long periods of time each day.
I’d love to see your blogging setup – post a picture or video to your blog or to flickr or YouTube (etc) and leave a link in comments below.
Products mentioned during the video include:
- Herman Miller Aeron Chair
- Apple Cinema 23″ HD Flat-Panel Display
- Apple Power Mac G5 Desktop (mine is a 2 Ghz – G5)
- Apple MacBook Pro (although I have an older 2.16 Ghz Intel Core Duo)
- Moleskine Notebook
- Fischer Space Pen (I love these pens)
The only other thing that I didn’t have out today was my headset which I use daily on skype. I have a Plantronics DSP-400 USB Headset which has been a big improvement on my previous headset.
Update: two other elements of my office that are normally in place (but were not present when I filmed because they were away as a result of us just having been in selling house mode).
1. White board – I use my white board a lot for planning.
2. Coffee cup – it’s a permanent feature next to my mouse. I’m actually toying with the idea of getting a coffee machine for my new office!
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I love those chairs!! Spendy for sure.
Nice setup! I especially like the wide flat screen monitor. I was guessing you’re a Mac man. I should take a page out of your book (pun intended) and get a notebook for my blog.
My Gold Coast of Australia blog headquarters…
It’s the only way I can relax and think clearly.
http://stuff4restaurants.com/blog2/?page_id=128
Darren,
I don’t comment here often. But seriously I love the videos man.
Darren,
What about the Video Camera (Model No.) you’ve been using for your Video posts?
If $949.00 were to be a discount, the Herman Miller Aeron Chair is certainly of great comfort; if bought, in presence of your Amazon ID ;)
A quick Q – Where do you spend most of your time; ProBlogger HQ or b5media HQ?
I really like the idea of using the door to let the others in your house know what you are doing, it sounds stupid but is actually pretty brilliant.
My blogging setup looks something like…
http://ppleyard.org.uk/archives/2007/09/05/my-blogging-setup.html
Wow, you are very clean and tidy…
I too have a desk similar to your, with only a computer, notepad, and a lamp.
I think every successful blogger have a neat and clean desk to work on to keep them from distraction and stay focus :-)
I like how clean and simple your setup is. I have lots of stuff on my desk and I think it tends to distract me from blogging.
Goes to show you simple=better. Nice set up!
I’ve been looking at monitors for my dual-monitor setup. Personally, I don’t like dealing with wide-screen monitors, unless they are turned long ways, perfect for reading LONG webpages. The 4:3 ratio is the only way to go for me.
I used to have one of those chairs at my old job. Great breathing through the mesh back.
Regardless, nice setup, and very sparse. Great!
Nice set up. You should get rid of that ugly black screen, though! =)
Very nice setup Darren, I especially like the tidbit regarding the door. When working from home it can get quite distracting with a lot of things going around and privacy can become an issue.
I understand why you’d like to get a second monitor, I can never get enough screen real-estate myself. Only one detail though, why not get a wireless keyboard and mouse? Less cable = less clutter :) Not that your room is cluttered at all, but you can always optimize further.
I definitely need to get a monitor like that. I’ve seen several bloggers out there with a larger monitor and it looks awesome.
I just watched the video, and took this photo of where I am right now:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorraine/1330292351/
I love your setup, btw.
Thanks for answering my question Darren!
Here’s my blogging setup.
An Apple Mac Pro with a 30″ Apple Cinema Display.
Travolution HQ in East London, UK.
http://travolution.blogspot.com/2007/09/travolution-hq.html
It is reasonably sunny, which is unusual for the UK in September (!!), and quiet.
Very interesting. I appreciate it being so clear and uncluttered.
This is where I Blog:
http://www.netwriting.co.uk/2007/09/05/where-do-you-blog/
Darren… nice office!
Only 1 recommendation: that back wall looks awfully empty. A painting or a nice picture would probably make your office look a lot better!
Thank you for the insight into your world. It helps makes those of us striving become our own boss and wanting to work from home gain perspective.
I will have to try and get on the Mac train for my next computer, I think it will suite me.
Real nice ambiance you creating to blog by keeping your desk neat.
Amazingly more simple than I imagined. I love the display… I just ordered a Mac and can’t wait to get it! I think maybe you should put a tall plant in the corner of the room…
I think I need to start bringing a notebook and pen with me as well. Very good tip to make sure you remember your ideas.
I am looking forward to getting my own office someday. Right now we are in a 1 bedroom apartment, so my office is wherever I can find to plop down my laptop. The hardest thing about that is at the end of the day when I want to relax, I am still in my office. I have a hard time putting down my work.
You really do need to go with a dual monitor setup. It’s the best! This is my desk: http://www.johnchow.com/three-hour-photo-session-for-bc-business/
I can’t get it to play – it just sticks. This happens a lot with videos and I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. Does anyone know how can I get it to play? I really want to see Darrens office, and all the techno gadgets.
Darren – thanks for giving us the insight into your office. My home office is definitely a very different style – it is in the center of the house and unfortunately does not have doors, but it works for me. Not as sleek as the others shown here.
I have a Dell Dimension 8400 with a 21″ screen as my main machine – the system is about three years old. I also have an iMac G5 on another desk and a Sony Vaio laptop for taking my work with me into the family room or on site with a client as needed.
You can see it at:
http://casualkeystrokes.com/a-glimpse-inside-my-home-office/
Thanks for the post Darren. It’s interesting to see different people’s setups. Here’s the reality of Reality Wired:
http://www.realitywired.com/images.php?path=2007/08/p8142574.jpg
Oh Darren… I’d love to show mine, however it’s a MASSIVE disaster area. I think FEMA’s going to give me a grant or something some day soon.
Thanks for sharing your space though! And thanks to everyone else as well! :)
I’m hoping to get a chance to take a couple days off (or even half days) to try to get my place in order here… I’ve been feeling distressed over the mess in here! :)
Woah – I definitely need one of those chairs. Where do you get them?
Awesome post – thanks for sharing!
http://picasaweb.google.com/evelester/NewComputer/photo#5065250990040767730
here is mine- all brand new, the computer and the desk- I love it :-)
Thanks for sharing yours!
i love the door feature of your blog area darren :P
those chairs are unbelievably comfortable. once i get a good picture i’ll come back and post it up to show off my blog space
The door function is interesting, I’m thinking of implementing that, too.
Well, here’ a tour [in English] of teh Internetling Dot Com [Slovenian SEO Blog] blog office, hope someone finds it interesting :)
http://www.internetling.com/2007/09/05/internetling-pika-kom-hq-video-tour/
I don’t have “blogging setup” but after watching this I am looking forward to creating one
Here’s the “setup at 1955 Design. Pretty special, isn’t it? :-)
Here it is! My desk with my PC laptop and a BIG Samsung 22′
blogpost – http://blog.tomazkovacic.com/2007/08/21/velikan/
flickr – http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomazkovacic/tags/velikan/
My contribution showing off my headquarters
http://www.45n5.com/permalink/45n5-blogging-headquarters.html
Thanks to everyone for your pictures and videos. I find it fascinating to see everyone’s set ups!
Jake – yes, the Aeron chair is not cheap – however my back and neck are much improved since getting it.
Billy – thanks for the encouragement on the videos. People either love em or hate em – but my hope is that having them gives a way for those who are not into text as much a way to access ProBlogger in a way that they relate to more.
Allan – I mention the video camera that I use in this post from last week
Michael – yes, the open/closed door policy is a great one. I hope it didn’t come across as too heartless in the video – I make myself available for my family in many ways each day – but having the door as a signal seems to be working well at the moment.
Sean – it’s not normally that clean and tidy – we just sold our house so it’s been cleaner this last month than it’s been for ages!
Padraig – yes, it’s an ugly old thing – although handy to have the TV at times. In the new place I’ll get a second 23 inch screen and move the TV to another part of the room.
Mirko – yes I’ve considered a wireless keyboard and mouse but the reality is that apart from it being slightly ‘neater’ to look at I don’t know that it would enhance my blogging experience too much – at least not as much as the expense of buying a new keyboard and mouse. If I ever need to upgrade again I’ll consider it though.
Glenn – those 30 incher’s are amazing. I almost got one when I went for my 23 inch one – but decided that 2 23’ers would give me more options down the track.
Kiltak – yes it is a bare wall. We move in December though so no point in putting up pictures at this stage. In my new office I’ll have built in shelves on one wall and a big window on another. The other two walls will have plenty of space for pictures etc so I’ll put a bit more effort into decorating then.
Sunny – yes my office used to be every room in the house before we moved into this place.
John – yep, will do the dual monitor thing once we’ve moved and have paid off a little more of the mortgage :-)
CatherineL – that’s strange. Most just seem to be able to ‘click to play’. There’s also a version over at blip.tv
Lara – yours sounds a lot like mine 90% of the time.
Everyone who has shown pictures and video – great stuff. I’ll do a compilation of them all later in the week. So keep sharing!
I enjoyed the video, and found it insightful.
I’ve only just renovated and built a new office.
http://pocketmojo.net/index.php/thepdaguy/2007/07/31/my_new_office_is_finished
I’ll add a hardware/equipment list later today at my blog. However, Moleskine notebook and Fischer Space Pen are alos part of my rig.
I really need a new chair, but an aeron isnt in my budget. Does anyone know of anything cheaper that will be comfy and fairly similar?
bob – I asked the question and got a lot of responses previously in this office chairs recommendations post. Hopefully some of the comments in that post will be helpful.
Wow! Thanks Darren for sharing
where you blog. (office)
Maybe I will send a video.
I hope you continue to make more videos.
Also, thanks for all the great tips.
Elizabeth G.
http://BookTestOnlinecom.blogspot.com
http://BookTestOnline.com
A little bit shaky. I know its because you held the camera in your hand. You may use a tripod. Good video!
You have spend a lot for your HQ. I don’t know why you consider your room as the HQ of Problogger. I always consider my blogs home page as its HQ
Awesome, thanks darren, Ill check it out :)
darren I just finish creating my aspect of my headquarters……your place is nice as if you dont do any work :)
great video – I think its pretty good for being so late….
http://www.ianfernando.com/2007/my-headquarters-is-better-than-problogger/
Cool gear, Lame picture :-(
As you can tell, I’m an apple guy. Too bad my iphone doesn’t take better pictures.
http://picasaweb.google.com/automacadmin/Gear/photo#5106944479724878338
This is where I blog!
http://moneyning.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/dsc00072.JPG
Seriously though, my setup is a laptop that I bring almost everywhere (coffee shops, work, home, food courts). It helps keep the environment fresh which helps my creativity.
Nice video, Darren – I notice you’ve gotten the bug experimenting with post-production lately. :-)
I can see the creative streak in you trying to break out… :-)
Very cool! I also have a Moleskin book.
When I was a kid my work-from-home mum would wear a hat when she was busy at her desk (though the closed door kind of makes sense too). :)
Here is a quick video of my 3-day-old office space.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLUlEvgvB6M