[Theodores]

We all know that multi-monitor is a good idea particularly if you need reference material to copy/paste/refer to/from. However, I have had to downsize my monitor collection on a few occasions and I think there is a lot to be said for having just one proper sized monitor on a proper desk. I have actually been able to get more done this way and even not bothered to get the laptop screen out (which I thought would be invaluable for having emails on etc.). There is something special about having just the one immersive screen, even if a lot of ALT+TAB is needed.

As for a dash for an external screen full of cruft I don't see how it can help productivity. It is a lot of info there just on the off chance one might need it. If I really need to know what the weather is going to be like I can find it. As for the latest nonsense on Twitter I can live without it. Plus I have my phone for notifying me of anything I need to act on.

Remember search portals? A whole screen of cruft. Then Google came along with just the one search box. The Google approach was much better. This extra dash full of extra cruft goes against the minimal UI way of doing things. You might as well open up the standard Yahoo homepage in a browser window and put that on the external monitor, it makes about the same amount of sense.

[bashevis]

Here's how it helps my productivity: About every hour I take a break to stop working and check many different sites - google news, the weather, adsense earnings, and stocks. I end up navigating about 10 different websites in a linear process, which easily takes up a lot of time. SublimeDash solves that problem by aggregating multiple data streams in one convenient place while reducing the amount of time I waste. Also, it looks beautiful and continues to impress anyone who comes to visit me at my desk.