Working outside

[Marst]

Do you ever work outside? If so, where do you go and how do you make it work?

 

It probably depends on your discipline where it is at all possible , but I like to work outside every now and then. My laptop can go for about 4 hours with a bright screen (necessary to see anything at all in the sunlight). Just have to make sure I don't bring any notes that can be blown away by the wind. In any case, with nice weather it is always a trade-off between sitting comfy and having your own space with all your stuff, or being outside and getting some fresh air.

[maelia8]

I work outside sometimes because my building has a central courtyard with benches that is protected from wind and has trees growing in it to protect one from direct sunlight if desired. I don't think that I would work on an open lawn though, too many people walking by and too much chance of wind.

[fuzzylogician]

I wrote about half of my dissertation outside. There was a park near my house with shaded picnic tables and free wifi that I started sitting at as soon as it got warm enough to spend time outside. There was also a coffeeshop nearby for all my coffee/sandwich needs and to charge my battery or warm me up if it got too cold/windy. Direct sunlight was my savior during that period.

[victorydance]

I read outside. If I am really into some work though I prefer to be inside with a desk. 

Edited April 23, 2015 by victorydance

[serenade]

It's amazing how much more efficient I become when I know I've got X amount of work to do and only X% of my macbook battery left when working outside!

[1Q84]

I'm a full-blown office/desk addict (plus Keurig + fridge + microwave), so I find it hard to work outside. I tried to do some reading outside the other day and the wind was blowing my pages around and when I went inside, I was pretty much blind from how bright it was outside.

 

I really don't get how people work outside for that long.

[TakeruK]

Like 1Q84, I am also a desk addict (although I don't have a Keurig, and the fridge/microwave is in another room). I also like the climate controlled environment of my office

 

But I do occasionally read outside, if I have a paper copy of what I'm reading. However, this makes it pretty hard to write notes when I don't have a hard surface to work on. I also like to take walks outside to clear my mind. Usually, while thinking about my code on a walk, I come up with several ideas on how to write the next algorithm or how to debug something. So if that counts as working outside, that's probably what I do the most!

 

I do like having meetings outside though. If I'm meeting with a visitor or other people to discuss some project, I like to go to the patio outside my building or to the campus coffee shop. 

[fuzzylogician]

I couldn't help but notice that all you people who don't feel like you miss the sun live in California. Coincidence? I think not. Where I am right now, it's almost May and we just had a bit of snow last week. You might appreciate the sun a bit more if the last time it was actually warm was 7 months ago

[TakeruK]

I couldn't help but notice that all you people who don't feel like you miss the sun live in California. Coincidence? I think not. Where I am right now, it's almost May and we just had a bit of snow last week. You might appreciate the sun a bit more if the last time it was actually warm was 7 months ago

 

Well said. Sometimes I find myself thinking things like "ugh it's sunny AGAIN today :(" but then I usually stop myself from saying this before someone slaps some sense into me

[maelia8]

Well said. Sometimes I find myself thinking things like "ugh it's sunny AGAIN today :(" but then I usually stop myself from saying this before someone slaps some sense into me

 

 

I have been verbally chastised by friends from cold parts of the upper midwest for complaining about "cool" days here in California (the few ones where you actually should wear a jacket). It's amazing how quickly you can get into the habit of taking perfect weather for granted. I should know better, I used to live in Germany!

[qeta]

I live across from a massive/awesome park, so my dog and I go on "picnics" whenever possible: I read papers on my tab, while he chews on a toy or smells the air for scents undetectable to anyone but a beagle. Everything else--writing, working on R, grading, etc.-- I need the routine, controlled environment of my house, the library, or a cafe. I find ensuring that my laptop or papers are safe from accidents when I am outside too distracting.

Edited April 27, 2015 by qeta

[scarvesandcardigans]

I love sitting on quads or in parks to read. But if I have to do work with notes, papers, or a laptop, I'll usually find a cafe or a place with nice outdoor seating and make my home there for a few hours. 

[Cheshire_Cat]

I have a great deck with a view of nature and an electrical outlet.  I'm going to have to invest in some patio furniture so I can work outside when my neighbors aren't outside smoking. (I can't stand cigarette smoke. And my neighbors are always outside with a cig in the evenings. It's annoying!)

[random_grad]

I prefer working inside because I find the wind very inconvenient and the bright sun kills my eyes - all of which makes me less efficient. The only time I worked outside consistently was studying for the GRE on the beach

 

Sometimes, I like to read on the subway and I'd just stay on til the end of the line - not having anything else around helps me focus; and I do go for walks to just think about my projects and breath, but not very often (usually it's a purposeful walk to the supermarket). Otherwise having access to food, whiteboard, printer and music beats being in the sun. (even though I'm from Canada, so sunshine is a precious commodity).

Edited April 27, 2015 by random_grad

[1Q84]

The only time I worked outside consistently was studying for the GRE on the beach

 

How the heck did you manage this?