[qwerta]

I think problem are working conditions. Modern programmer is expected to work in coffee shop on tiny laptop, practically worst conditions imaginable.

If I ask for decent private office and 3x32" screens I just get blank faces and bullshit excuses. Since I started working for myself remotely, I can sustain 10 hours of uninterrupted concentration. Before in office it was more like 30 minutes of concentration per day.

[themodelplumber]

How much of your productivity gain from the 3x32" screens is attributable to extra space for persistent applications (i.e. always keeping an IDE open on screen N)? Just curious.

[qwerta]

I had 4x22" until recently, second screen adds 50% productivity, third 25% and forth about 12.5". Upgrade to 3x32" is underway, so I can not provide data for those. I will probably keep old 22"s around for some statistics, visualisations etc.

I use screens in portrait mode, so it fits more code.

I usually keep left screen for navigation (file managers, terminals), center screen for IDE and right for documentation, notes and communication. I also use virtual desktops to switch window layout for various tasks. For example I consume twitter and rss feeds in separate configuration.

I am not saying everyone would benefit from this setup. I analyze large heap dumps and do lot of concurrent debugging. But quiet office, decent screen and chair should be a starter for any self respecting programmer.

[joesmo]

Or worse. In a crowded office that can't control its climate with small screens and poor equipment. The equipment makes a lot of difference, I agree, as does the environment. It's unfortunate that many companies do not realize this and implement policies to cut costs that end up just hurting productivity in general and their bottom lines in the end. To not see this from a management or executive POV is to be intentionally blind. It's a loss all around from the individual to the whole company and one that can't be mitigated against any other way.