My own 'Office of Real Soon Now'

1. Overview

    My office has no monitors, no LCD panels, no 'traditional' computer displays, just two data projectors that display my desktop.  Here is an image (4MB) and a quicktime VR  (3MB) panorama. Below is a scaled down version.  The desktop size is approximately 13' x  4'1".  At my sitting distance of 9' from the wall, I estimate the desktop takes up 72º horizontal and 26º vertical of my field of view.  I use this as my primary display and work device.

2. Inspiration

This idea was inspired by first Gary Bishop (gb@cs.unc.edu) and then subsequently by Greg Welch (welch@cs.unc.edu).  When I saw their offices, I figured if I ever graduated and had my own office, then I'd have to get a similar rig.  While many wonder how I could have graduated, I have my own office of real soon now (OORSN).  Their OORSNs are more advanced, and mine is but a homage to their forward vision of a monitor-less environment.  drooooool.    Check out their pages for much more info on their setups.

They have publications: Welch and Bishop. Working in the Office of Real Soon Now. CG&A 2000

Others now have this, including at least 6 faculty members at UNC, and I found others via Google-ing (Lawrence Livermore National Labs, etc.)

The guy in the picture on the lower left is being shown on a 42" Plasma TV connected to a laptop.  This is not part of my OORSN, but rather part of some of my virtual characters research.  .

3. My Setup

I like cheap commodity parts.  If I weren't a lowly asst. professor, I'd have a much more legit looking setup, but till then, here is how to get your own OORSN up and running.

1. 2 Sony VPL-CX6 data projectors.  1024x768 resolution, 2000 lumens.  11" x 9" x 3". Weight < 6 lbs. I like the brightness.  I can use them even with the lights *on* in my office.  Also even with the sun shining in through my office window (until late afternoon since I'm on the west side of the building), I don't have to raise the blinds (except for privacy issues). (2 @ $2600 each) - $5200.

2. Off-the-shelf Dell PC running Windows XP.  Graphics card is an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro.  Pretty much any dual output graphics card will work. ~$2000.

    Windows XP supports dual (and even >2 monitors).  Most cards today have dual output.  Strongly suggest going this route.  ATI drivers aren't as smooth on this as the nVidia, so some things like screen savers don't kick in correctly on dual monitors.  I'm sure driver upgrades will address this.  My desktop is 2048x768. 

3. I had to get a DVI->VGA converter.  Even better would be a data projector that would accept straight DVI.  From Electronics Plus (in-town gadget store): $20

4. 4 pieces of 'core-foam' board from Office Depot (Not shown in pictures) (4 @ $13 each) $52.

5. Dell's wireless keyboard and mouse.  I'll probably up and get a ergonomic wireless Microsoft soon. When I do that, I'll have two, so one set is for students/visitors to 'drive' to get their files, show me something on some webpage they found, etc. ~$70

6. AKP Sidekick Podium (keyboard stand) - custom ordered from the internet from Office Organix. This is a high quality model which I recommend. $215. 

Total cost: $7557. 

Having a super large display, tons of office space, and increased productivity? priceless.

Replacement bulbs are ~$300 each and I go through about one a year per projector, so $600 per year in bulbs.  Pricey?  Yes.  Awesome? OMG.  Next up, a nice chair + air conditioner.  Once I get more cash: quality projector mounts.

4. Advantages

    A ginormous desktop!!!

    Eye strain greatly reduced (eyes are focusing on a surface 8-10' feet away instead of 2-3')

    Shoulder and neck strain reduced.  I have bad posture normally, and using a regular monitor never helped, no matter how large it was.  Now I can lean back fully in my chair and get good lumbar support.

    Collaboration is fantastic!  From everything like browsing the web together, or navigating virtual spaces, this rocks.  Life sized digital characters are possible!  Visitors and students love it.

    I am more efficient.  The larger desktop, without the large seam, helps me do more.  Is this psychosomatic?  Probably.

    Lots more space!  I have two bookshelves, a desk, a filing cabinet, and a mini-fridge.  That's it.  My office is small to begin with, this frees up so much volume.

5. Disadvantages

    Color seam might annoy those predisposed to anality.  Also color dynamics (intensity range, color reproduction, etc.) is not close to a good LCD or CRT.

    Alignment issues (and w/ auto APA calibration enabled for the projectors, the alignment changes each day)

    If you walk to the screen and turn around, you'll be blinded for about 30 seconds.  This hurts and makes you feel like you are in a police lineup.

    Must have good (and uninterrupted) throw distance (my projectors are about 10' from the far wall).

    Privacy.  I can't keep my door propped open because people walking by can see my desktop.  This is setup dependent... your building might be designed better.  This unfortunately gets makes the next item even worse...

    Heat and noise.  Yuck.  This problem is compounded by:

            The projector lamps are high wattage = heat. 

            The projectors have fans

            I don't have a thermostat in my office

            I live in Florida. 

    Reduces wall space.

    Even though the projectors claim 120Hz vertical refresh, I couldn't get some 3D active shutter glasses to work, even on the 60Hz setting.  :(.  Of note, it didn't work on the plasma tv either.

Do the pros outweigh the cons?  A resounding YES!

6. Are you thinking about setting this up in your office?

    Drop on by and live the dream!  You'll be placing your order within 30 minutes.

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