Introduction

Extreme Programming (XP) requires that all programming be done in pairs. This requires computer furniture for use by two people at once. Such furniture is hard to find.

Woodware Design's answer is to develop plans for simple to build computer furniture that meets this need. Below are sketches for five different designs. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

We need your input on which design to further develop and prototype. Please, look these designs and drop us an e-mail with your reactions, needs, and ideas. We plan to build one prototype soon. Which one should we build?

Desk Choices Index

1. Rotating Desk 1, keyboard and monitor turn 40 degrees.
2. Basic Desk, the people move.
3. Desk with Slides, the monitor and keyboard slide.
4. Rotating Keyboard Desk 2, only the keyboard rotates.
5. Sliding Desk, keyboard and monitor slide sideways.

2. Rotating Desk 1

   This desk rotates through 40 degrees on a Lazy Susan bearing (see photograph above). The two programmers stay seated and easily push the whole work station back and forth. This desk has the following advantages:

   • It is fast and cheap to build.
   • The programmers do not have to switch places.
   • It looks cool (if nicely painted).
   • The monitor slides easily on the desk top for small adjustments in distance and pointing.
   • The two programmers switch active coder by simply pushing back slightly in their chairs and rotating the desk with one hand.
   • The keyboard height and monitor height can be set when the desk is made.
   • The desk latches automatically in either position.

   This desk's weaknesses are:

   • The viewing angle for the non-typing user is not optimal.
   • The keyboard corner slides across your belly.
   • The keyboard tray is not wide enough for a left hand mouse position.
   • The weighted base is heavy to move.
   • The keyboard and monitor height are the same for both people.
   • The monitor height can only be reset with a new bridge.
   • The keyboard height cannot be reset.

   A version of this desk has been built. How do you like it?

   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Basic Desk

   This is a simple door-&-filing cabinet low-stress computer desk.

   • It is fast, simple, and cheap to build.
   • It is very roomy for its single computer terminal.
   • The monitor slides easily on the desk top for small adjustments in distance and pointing.
   • The low keyboard tray is wide enough to accept a mouse pad on either the left hand or right hand side.
   • The two programmers switch active coder by simply rolling their chairs to new positions.
   • The keyboard height and monitor height can be set when the desk is made.

   The desk's weaknesses are:

   • The legs are not particularly strong.
   • The look is not very cool.
   • The rolling of chairs is clumsy.
   • The keyboard and monitor height are the same for both people.
   • The monitor height can only be reset with a new bridge.
   • The keyboard height cannot reset.

   How do you like it?

   
   

4. Desk with Slides

   This is a simple low-stress computer table with separate sliding platforms for the monitor and the keyboard.

   • It is fast, simple, and cheap to build.
   • It is very roomy for its single computer terminal.
   • The monitor rolls easily across most of the length of the desk top.
   • The keyboard tray slides easily across most of the length of the desk top.
   • The low keyboard tray is wide enough to accept a mouse pad on either the left hand or right hand side.
   • The two programmers switch active coder by simply pulling the keyboard and the monitor back and forth.
   • The keyboard height and monitor height can be set when the desk is made.
   • There are holders for drinks and snacks.

   The desk's weaknesses are:

   • The legs are not particularly strong.
   • The look is not very cool.
   • The keyboard and monitor have to be pulled by hand.
   • The desk top is covered by dividers strips.
   • The keyboard and monitor height are the same for both people.
   • The monitor height can only be reset with a new bridge.
   • The keyboard height cannot reset as it depends on leg length.

   How do you like it?

   
5. Rotating Keyboard Desk 2

   This desk has a keyboard that rotates through 60 degrees on a Lazy Susan bearing. The monitor stays in one position. The two programmers stay seated and easily push the work station back and forth. This desk has the following advantages:

   • It is fast and cheap to build.
   • The programmers do not have to switch places.
   • The monitor can be set to the best angle for the two people and then stays put.
   • It looks cool (with a nice paint job).
   • The monitor slides easily on the desk top for small adjustments in distance and pointing.
   • The two programmers switch active coder by simply pushing back slightly in their chairs and rotating the desk with one hand.
   • The keyboard height and monitor height can be set when the desk is made.
   • The keyboard latches automatically in either position.

   This desk's weaknesses are:

   • The keyboard tray does not have as solid a feel as with the other desks.
   • The keyboard corner tray hits you in the belly.
   • The keyboard tray is not wide enough for a left hand mouse position.
   • The weighted base is heavy to move.
   • The keyboard and monitor height are the same for both people.
   • The monitor height can only be reset with a new bridge.
   • The keyboard height cannot be reset.

   How do you like it?

   
   
   

6. Sliding Desk

   This desk's top and keyboard tray slide sideways 24-inches. The monitor moves with the keyboard. The two programmers stay seated and easily push the work station back and forth in a moment. Detailed sketches and constructions notes for this desk are available. This desk has the following advantages:

   • It is fast and cheap to build.
   • The programmers do not have to switch places.
   • The monitor can be seen reasonably well by the non-programming partner.
   • It looks cool when it moves (with a nice paint job).
   • The keyboard tray is wide enough for a left hand mouse pad.
   • The monitor slides easily on the desk top for small adjustments in distance and pointing.
   • The two programmers switch active coder by simply pushing the desk with one hand.
   • The programmers do not have to dodge the corner of the keyboard tray.
   • The keyboard height and monitor height can be set when the desk is made.
   • The desk latches automatically in either position.

   This desk's weakness are:

   • It takes as much floor space as a much larger desk.
   • The top of the base is partially exposed in one position.
   • The weighted base is heavy to move.
   • The keyboard and monitor height are the same for both people.
   • The monitor height can only be reset with a new bridge.
   • The keyboard height cannot be reset.

   How do you like it?

   
   
   
   
   

7. Supporting this Site

   If you like our Freebies, remember we can only keep this Web site open if we sell our Low-Stress Computer Furniture Plans or if you follow our ad links and make purchases from our sponsors. Thank you.

   

8. Conclusion

   Thank you so much for reviewing our designs. We will show people everywhere that they can get started with extreme programming cheaply. Please, drop us an e-mail with your needs and ideas for XP furniture in cool space.

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