For you full-timers, I assume many of you have a home office like me. I was wondering if you ever get tired of looking at the same walls all the time? And if so, do you do anything for a change of scenery?

Right now, Scott Host (www.mking.com) and I take our notebooks to a Caribou Coffee and work for a few hours. It really seems to work well. But I was wondering what some other places you might go to are :D

I agree that a change of scenary can be beneficial.

On a few occasions I've gone down to Venice beach or Marina del Rey and worked for a few hours on the beach... it's a nice place for coming up with creative ideas.

On weekends sometimes I'll also sit in the living room, turn on the fireplace, play some classical music, drink some tea, and pump out a new article on the laptop.

I go to the local Barnes & Nobel, or to one of the nifty coffee shops downtown, or sometimes just run errands for my wife. :) The driving definitely seems beneficial when my thoughts are in a jumble. But the change of scenery thing works: sometimes thoughts I can't put in order while in my home office fall right into place if I go somewhere else for a little while.

I carry a voice-recorder in my car for this reason too, and am never without either my Clie or my "Palm Zero" -- blank 3x5 cards and a pen. You never know when or where inspiration will strike.

About two years ago I sold everything I had, bought a pretty good laptop, and headed to southeast asia. I've been programming from tropical beaches in various countries ever since. No regrets...

I am talking to you while ridding on the back of a camel invading the desert LOL

well, I just going play football then get back to work :)

Hmmm.. not sure, but just in case anyone thinks I was kidding... I wasn't. I really am coding from tropical beaches. (It was a nice change of scenery from the office walls and snow)

- Steve

Originally posted by svero
Hmmm.. not sure, but just in case anyone thinks I was kidding... I wasn't. I really am coding from tropical beaches. (It was a nice change of scenery from the office walls and snow)

- Steve

Steve, how do you manage net connectivity from the beach? In South Africa it's possible but at cell rates (big $$$).


Any favourite beaches? :)

p.s.

How do you stop sand getting in the keyboard? I had this problem when I went to the coast a few weeks ago.

Originally posted by Nick Bischoff
Steve, how do you manage net connectivity from the beach? In South Africa it's possible but at cell rates (big $$$).


Any favourite beaches? :)

p.s.

How do you stop sand getting in the keyboard? I had this problem when I went to the coast a few weeks ago.

As for sand, well I avoid programming on the beach itself :-) -- It's literally just a hop skip and a jump to the beach for a swim if I want one though. Connectivity is southeast asia is expensive and ranges from terrible to decent but often I'm stuck on a 56.6 which is a downside. I like the beaches in south Thailand krabi area. Beautiful. Big limestone cliffs, lots of fish, green tropical water... mm mm mmm.. Was just there last week.

When I go full time, I think I will use also a notebook to go outside. And especially in the summer I think I will go to sit around the beach or a cafe and do some game design inspiration.
And develop some sample code and art. I see game design as a matter of live. From the things I like game design is number one in live. Also of course a nice girl friend :)

I usually take the dog for a walk on my father-in-law's 80 acres. During the summer, a trip to the beach isn't out of the question either. For a real change of scenery (and finding restaurants with vegetarian entrees), my wife and I will go to Ann Arbor for the day, sucking up the heady college town ambiance. :)

Well, Sphinx, I am *really* envy you. When Hungary finaly joins the Eu, I will pack up my stuffs and head for Italy or Greece. :) The winters here are getting utterly disgusting and cold, it is currently raining ice. It seems the cold front is from Russia with love. :)