Reading blogs tends to put you at the mercy of other programmers, and with every post you read it's easier to see that we're all alike in a lot of ways. I came across some posts by Jeff Atwood at Coding Horror. Now--I know this is a slew of links, but stay with me. The links found in these articles can easily double the number of tabs in your browser (writing this blog alone, I found 20ish tabs in my browser).
- The Programmer's Bill of Rights - this was an interesting read because it revitalizes the importance of the most basic part of our profession: comfort. One point Jeff Atwood makes is about your mouse and keyboard, relating it to a painter's paintbrush. To paraphrase his point, programmers should learn to understand and embrace the added value of comfort and convenience in "the essential, workaday tools we use to practice our craft and should be treated as such."
- Five Things About Jeff Atwood - Jeff shares a few things with everyone, starting with a tour of his office and some insight about the little nuances that get you through the day.
- Thinking Putty Fetish (I think Steve and Todd can appreciate this) - A case study shows that exercise is good for your mental health, and thinking putty is legitimate exercise for your hands. I'm even considering a tin for myself... For a while, Jeff was buying a new tin for every new employee who started.
- The Developer's Second Most Important ASSet - I think this quote describes this pretty well... "I've run the gamut from $99 OfficeMax specials all the way up to the exotics, and there's no question that a quality chair is a significant factor in productivity over an 8 hour day." The infamous Herman Miller Aeron chair is mentioned. I used to sit in one of these chairs at my previous job, and I have to say--that's easily the most comfortable office chair I've ever sat in.
It's easy to get lost in a sea of day-to-day comfort philosophy, but it all has to start somewhere. Productivity and ownership over work stems from the ability to relax and be comfortable in your immediate atmosphere. Be unique. Be you. A programmer's cubicle might look like a playpen, but as Jeff Atwood says, "It's as much a reflection of...personality as anything else in...life."