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Computing Al Fresco?

Posted by timothy on from the not-necessarily-nude dept.

ear1grey writes "With summer fast approaching in the northern hemisphere, do any readers have experience of taking their 'working from home' one stage further and 'working from the garden'? Any tips for making the screen more visible in the bright sunshine? Any problems with direct sunlight and overheating components? Are there other issues that we should be aware of before we venture, blinking, into the great outdoors?"

4 of 67 comments (clear)

  1. Tables + Parasols by JeffHunt · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Get yourself one of those fancy deck tables with the umbrella that comes out of the middle. Voila - sunlight problem solved.

    --

    "It was hell!" recalls former child.

  2. TFT by nerd65536 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Thin Film Transistor screens, like those found on the GameBoy Color/Advance/SP thrive (if you can get around the glare) in high light conditions, as do a good number of LCD screens.

    --
    Install Ubuntu in Android
  3. Been there, got it wired by tornadoslims · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I worked from home for about 6 months a few years ago on a consulting gig. I lived on the beach so whenever it was sunny I would want to bring my laptop on the deck with the wireless and work out there, but I couldn't see the screen. The key is to construct a highly technical cardboard shutter that you can tape around the screen of your laptop - 2 sides and top. Neighbors think your staring into the screen of some peep show, but regardless of the 73 other distractions that come with working outside, at least the sun won't be one of them. Tslim

  4. Choose the best times by Peter+Cooper · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Unless you have a veranda or porch where you can get a little shade so you can see the screen, I recommend chosing your times wisely.

    It starts getting light here (the UK) at about 3.45am, and I enjoy going out at this time. By 5.30am, of course, it's full daylight. Then at the other end of the day you get a nice light between 8.30pm and 10pm. The beauty of these times is also that it's not too hot to be sitting around, and there are also less flies/buzzy things about. Of course, not everyone has as loose a schedule as I do, and may not find these times ideal! (I do, as I sleep during the late morning and early afternoon, I like some night-time in my life!)