Working From Home Thread

Forums › Desktop computing › Working From Home Thread

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ... | 26

7775 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7417

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#2446791 26-Mar-2020 06:57

My new space.

Was her space, but she’s a kindy teacher so only uses this for paying bills and her dads accounts (he’s a self employed handyman so not working fir lockdown period).

Would’ve liked a bigger desk but it works.

My only issue is staying focused with the family home for a month.
Two teen boys a dog and a wife all getting bored while I go about my normal work day. Not going to be easy.

Handsome Dan Has Spoken.
Handsome Dan needs to stop adding three dots to every sentence...

Handsome Dan does not currently have a side hustle as the mascot for Yale

*Gladly accepting donations...

fizzychicken

318 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 86

#2446932 26-Mar-2020 11:08

Been working from home or working remotely in mornings for a while.

The laptop connects to work but cannot be accessed via any kind of remote desktop, also the existing remote session via VDI does work from any PC but doesnt work from the laptop, so both computers need to be used at the same time. This would happen anyway as the main PC would be used for various internet browsing/videos/spotofy etc. To help with this I swap out my main keyboard and mouse for a set that is fantastic for multiple computer use

https://www.logitech.com/en-nz/product/k580-multi-device-wireless-keyboard

https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/m590-silent-wireless-mouse

the ability to press a button and just start typing or controlling the other computer is fantastic as I would normally make the mistake of using the wrong peripheral.

Having an amazon echo in each room allows the wife to call me and speak to me without having to leave the room she is in or carrying a phone everywhere.

https://keybase.io/fizzychicken

dfnt

1553 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1036

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2446965 26-Mar-2020 11:34

ANglEAUT:

Also, have a look at https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/financial-support/

The COVID-19 Leave Payment is available for people who ... cannot work because they are caring for dependents who are required to self-isolate ...

Yeah I saw that, but the wording implies that the dependant has to be self isolating of which our daughter isn't

toejam316

1516 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 888

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2446974 26-Mar-2020 11:39

dfnt:

ANglEAUT:

Also, have a look at https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/financial-support/

The COVID-19 Leave Payment is available for people who ... cannot work because they are caring for dependents who are required to self-isolate ...

Yeah I saw that, but the wording implies that the dependant has to be self isolating of which our daughter isn't

Under level 4, we're all in self-isolation, aren't we? You should be eligible.

Join Quic Broadband with my referral - no sign up fee and gives me account credit

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.

NumPy

132 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 60
Inactive user

#2447041 26-Mar-2020 12:17

I had some hassles with CGNAT & My Republic which I listed here:

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=165&topicid=268565

I was having problems giving a work college ssh access into my linux box. I got hold of My Republic and they set me up with a static IP address free of charge. 😎

ANglEAUT

altered-ego
2436 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 842

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2447554 26-Mar-2020 21:02

toejam316: Under level 4, we're all in self-isolation, aren't we? You should be eligible.

That was my thinking too.

Please keep this GZ community vibrant by contributing in a constructive & respectful manner.

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

gzt

18724 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7860

Lifetime subscriber

#2447611 26-Mar-2020 22:36

Today I found a reason for free to air tv to exist. It reduces network traffic.

JamjarsNZ

63 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 12

#2447621 26-Mar-2020 23:25

I work as a maintenance engineer in a factory normally. The time I spend on a computer is doing purchase orders, I don't have a desk, just a laptop propped up on one of the shelves. This works for me fine.

The factory is classed as an essential business and is continuing to operate.

Since Tuesday I have had to be at home for 2 reasons, my work had instructed all vulnerable workers to go home and WFH is possible. I have T1 diabetes so I have a higher risk of complications. Also my wife is a nurse so I need to be at home to look after my 2 kids (2 and 6) while she works.

Tues and Wed was fine as I could dedicate all my time to keeping the kids busy, but today I have been assigned computer work to do from home which I am finding hard to grapple with. I am willing to give it a go but have found it hard with the kids badgering me all day for food or entertainment. The only respite I had was when I plonked them in front of the TV. I don't want to do this 8hrs a day just so I can concentrate.

I get the impression my boss is resentful of me being at home. I feel guilty being here although it is a situation I have no control over.

My 6 year old had a meltdown this afternoon, we thought she could write in a diary everyday while we are in lockdown as a way to keep her schooling up. She was asking for help spelling words and I was distracted by my work so in hindsight I was fobbing her off. I felt terrible and neglectful. I'm not sure if I can keep doing WFH unless I spend the evenings, when my wife is home, doing it and can attend to the kids, its going to feel like a double shift for me.

I feel we cant ask someone to come into the home and look after the kids as my wife could be bringing back the virus from her work. It would be bad enough if she brings it home to me.

I'm not sure I need any answers from anyone, just want to share my experience.

I might ask about the leave payment from W&I, thanks for that info.

Handle9

11935 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9693

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2447643 27-Mar-2020 06:57

JamjarsNZ:
I work as a maintenance engineer in a factory normally. The time I spend on a computer is doing purchase orders, I don't have a desk, just a laptop propped up on one of the shelves. This works for me fine.

The factory is classed as an essential business and is continuing to operate.

Since Tuesday I have had to be at home for 2 reasons, my work had instructed all vulnerable workers to go home and WFH is possible. I have T1 diabetes so I have a higher risk of complications. Also my wife is a nurse so I need to be at home to look after my 2 kids (2 and 6) while she works.

Tues and Wed was fine as I could dedicate all my time to keeping the kids busy, but today I have been assigned computer work to do from home which I am finding hard to grapple with. I am willing to give it a go but have found it hard with the kids badgering me all day for food or entertainment. The only respite I had was when I plonked them in front of the TV. I don't want to do this 8hrs a day just so I can concentrate.

I get the impression my boss is resentful of me being at home. I feel guilty being here although it is a situation I have no control over.

My 6 year old had a meltdown this afternoon, we thought she could write in a diary everyday while we are in lockdown as a way to keep her schooling up. She was asking for help spelling words and I was distracted by my work so in hindsight I was fobbing her off. I felt terrible and neglectful. I'm not sure if I can keep doing WFH unless I spend the evenings, when my wife is home, doing it and can attend to the kids, its going to feel like a double shift for me.

I feel we cant ask someone to come into the home and look after the kids as my wife could be bringing back the virus from her work. It would be bad enough if she brings it home to me.

I'm not sure I need any answers from anyone, just want to share my experience.

I might ask about the leave payment from W&I, thanks for that info.

The only advice I can give you is just do your best. Kids are amazingly resilient and forgiving. They don't intellectually fully understand what's going on but they won't stop being your kids if you have a bad day or two. If you are doing all you are able to then the guy in the mirror has nothing to criticize.

Same at work. Just do what you can when you can and talk to your boss as much as you can. Time shifting work is probably your best bet. Equally if your boss is being unreasonable or resentful then just do what you can and be clear about that. Your family is more important than anything.

This is tough, especially working from home with kids. None of us are giving our families or jobs what we normally would. It's also all we have to give. We aren't living in normal times so we and those around us aren't able to have normal expectations.

You're not the only one and you aren't failing. Things are just f#@king tough right now. Keep talking to those who care about you, you will get through.

Paul1977

5171 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2192

#2447689 27-Mar-2020 08:58

I normally wouldn't spend much more than 30 min at my home desk. After full day yesterday I woke up with a really sore neck this morning, so I've obviously go something setup wrong. I've adjusted my monitors, so we'll see how it goes today.

tdgeek

30048 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9455

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2447692 27-Mar-2020 09:04

Paul1977:

I normally wouldn't spend much more than 30 min at my home desk. After full day yesterday I woke up with a really sore neck this morning, so I've obviously go something setup wrong. I've adjusted my monitors, so we'll see how it goes today.

Micro breaks, keep eyes level at about midway up the screen. Posture

Dell

Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Handsomedan

7775 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7417

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#2447705 27-Mar-2020 09:25

I've realised (like others) that my home setup really isn't right for extended periods of WFH.

The odd day and a few hours of calls etc isn't a problem, but I've done this whole week at home and my back and neck and shoulders are killing me.

Not a lot I can do about it now, but I am missing my sit/stand desk at work, that's for sure.

Handsome Dan Has Spoken.
Handsome Dan needs to stop adding three dots to every sentence...

Handsome Dan does not currently have a side hustle as the mascot for Yale

*Gladly accepting donations...

Handsomedan

7775 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7417

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#2447708 27-Mar-2020 09:29

OK - here's one...

I have a couple of pairs of Bluetooth headphones/earphones.

Paired to the Dell laptop no problem.

Having VC meetings, I can't adjust the volume at all.

Wired - no problem. BT? Terrible. LOUD. REALLY LOUD. Even if I turn sound off completely.

I know it'll be user error because I am hopeless...I don't even know how I have lasted so long on GZ with my total lack of tech nous, but if someone could help, that'd be super.

Handsome Dan Has Spoken.
Handsome Dan needs to stop adding three dots to every sentence...

Handsome Dan does not currently have a side hustle as the mascot for Yale

*Gladly accepting donations...

Technofreak

6657 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3477

Trusted

#2447854 27-Mar-2020 11:45

Handsomedan:

OK - here's one...

I have a couple of pairs of Bluetooth headphones/earphones.

Paired to the Dell laptop no problem.

Having VC meetings, I can't adjust the volume at all.

Wired - no problem. BT? Terrible. LOUD. REALLY LOUD. Even if I turn sound off completely.

I know it'll be user error because I am hopeless...I don't even know how I have lasted so long on GZ with my total lack of tech nous, but if someone could help, that'd be super.

When the Bluetooth speakers are connected try left clicking on the volume icon and you should see more than one volume control. One of these should be for the speakers. Try adjusting that one using your mouse to drag the slider.

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

1101

3141 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1143

#2447914 27-Mar-2020 12:44

Im in IT
Yesterday I had to help clients with various WFH issues .
many people are having 'blond days' with this, so dont get discouraged .

While sorting out clients issues , my home internet was playing up , slowdowns, remote connections dropping.
I eventually just had to give up and leave it for the day .

So my advice, do the best you can. If it becomes too much, take a break, walk away for an hour or so.
You can allways say you had internet / home PC issues .

Im sure there will be cases where the WFH user will accidentally shutdown there work PC . I think thats what one of my clients has done, luckily there
are spare PC's at their work I can could setup for them to remote onto use instead

people are also having issues with zoom. if so, download & install the zoom client , when the meeting starts , go into the zoom settings & configure/test the audio

For those using Video conferencing , start the meeting much earlier than needed, to give people time to sort out issues .
Run some test Vid conferencing sessions so people can work on getting the sound & mic working . Dont just shedule a Vid confernece & expect everyone will connect in without issues

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ... | 26