Summary: you may recall an earlier blog posting about the ultimate computer management console. I've improved it since then.
I've been using my new console setup for over 6 months now, and I still love it. The ergonmics are great, I can organize my data very efficiently, and it's still "TechSexy". I've improved it a bit since then, adding a fourth monitor, and getting them all running off the same PC (a little challenging with Vista). Most importantly, I've become so dependent on it that I had to do the same thing at home.
I've talked to dozens of people about it, and I haven't heard a single negative reaction (or are people just too polite?...). Some have exclaimed they need to do the same thing, but none have done so, so far. All in good time...
The earlier blog posting was: http://myitforum.com/cs2/blogs/pthomsen/archive/2007/05/26/102609.aspx
So here's the updated work console:
And here's the one at home:
The HDTV (to the left) is not connected to the PC. At home I only have 2 monitors (24" and 19") - I try to work less seriously at home, so that's enough real estate. (BTW, the black on black theme is intentional - at home I like to lose myself in the story, and black on black removes the distractions).
p.s. For those few that may be curious as to why I haven't blogged for a month or so, the answer is that I've been doing some cool work that isn't 'ready for prime time'. Soon enough, I'm sure. We don't really do secret stuff here, but it's good to get the ducks in order before blogging about them.
p.p.s. I've been asking around about the "TechSexy" concept, and basically, the spirit still lives! If only in this blog, and the memories of MMS 2007 attendees, it's as valid as it ever was. But I'm not optimistic you'll see it promoted in a big way.
Summary: there are a lot of computer management blogs. I have a few on my home page. What makes for a favorite?
I actually follow almost 60 computer management blogs (by which, as you may have guessed, I mainly mean Systems Management Server or System Center Configuration Manager RSS feeds). A few touch on Operations Manager and other System Center topics. I'm open to general interest computer management blogs, but I haven't found them. In fairness, I don't actively look for blogs - I go with what I hear about, indirectly or otherwise. So there could be some great ones I've simply missed.
I've got to find a way to easily list the sixty blogs, so you can evaluate all of them for yourself. And I want to hear about blogs you like that I haven't seen.
Update: I've attached my computer mgmt blog list to this posting. It has a .txt extension, which you can remove, and then import the .OPML file to your favorite reader. This is the first time I've tried an attachment, so we'll see if it works. (and I rarely do updates, so it will be interesting to see if anyone notices the update ;-). The usual disclaimers apply. And if I'm missing anyone then please let me know - I'd like to add them. (It seems to work if you go to the web version of the blog, open this blog posting (click on its title), go to the bottom of the posting, right click the attachment link, and select Save Target As...)
Choosing favorites is an art. A bunch of the blogs in my list of sixty are probably worthy, but I'm waiting for the pattern to become obvious. There are sentimental favorites - bloggers I've known a long time, or that I believe have the potential to be significant. And then there are bloggers who take the arts seriously (both computer management and blogging).
Sometimes I don't include a blog in the list that is great. But I don't like the formatting, or the contents are diluted with too much non-computer management stuff. Stuff like that. Hopefully I don't offend those bloggers.
Then the really tricky question is... is my blog worthy of being included in my favorite blogs list?