Summer is shaping up to be busy for me. In a down economy, I was planning on a little bit of free time come June since summer is traditionally my “off-season” in the tax world. But that’s not happening – there’s no slowdown and I’m not complaining. If you’re busy, too – and I hope you are – you completely understand the challenges of trying to get a million things done at once.
The good folks at Sewell Direct want to help you get more done this summer with our giveaway. Here’s the scoop: according to Sewell, adding multiple monitors to your workstation has been proven in tests to increase productivity by more than 30%. As an attorney, accountant, tax pro, or other professional, you likely have multiple spreadsheets and documents open – just imagine all of the mistakes you could avoid by having an extended desktop and the ability to reference multiple screens without constantly moving windows around.
Sewell’s Minideck USB to VGA/DVI external video card is an easy way to add another monitor to your system, whether it’s Mac or PC, or if it’s a desktop, laptop, or netbook. Simply connect one end of the adapter to a USB port on your computer and the other end to any VGA or DVI monitor or projector. After installing a simple driver, you essentially have a plug-and-play USB monitor. The adapter can support up to 1920 x 1200 (native 24″ resolution), and can easily support 1080p HDTVs.
We’re giving away one of these units to each of two lucky readers. To be entered to win, simply answer this question: What could I do with an extra monitor of screen real estate?
Here are the details:
- Entries must be posted in the comments section below by 11:59 pm EST on June 11, 2010. Don’t panic if your comment doesn’t show immediately. If it goes to moderation (because, for example, you’re new here), the time stamp on your comment is what counts.
- Due to shipping considerations, only those residents of the US and Canada can enter.
- You must include your full name and your email address with your entry. I won’t publish your email address, but I do need contact information for the winning entry. I respect your privacy, and I will not send you anything unrelated to your entry in this contest.
- By entering the contest, you agree that I may post any part or all of your submission including your name as a part of the contest announcements or promotions, with the exception of your email address.
- Enter as many times as you like – but you must post a different comment each time. Links and pingbacks while appreciated, donÃt count.
- My normal comment policy applies (you can read it here). I have standards, you know.
- If you want to include a photo, that would be fun. However, the comments section doesn’t allow attachments – so just link to flickr or twitpic or wherever your photo is posted. Just be judicious. Remember, my mother could be reading.
Now that American Idol is gone, I’m not going to judge any entries. Well, not out loud anyway – though I do have someone in my office that is happy to serve as the Paula to my Simon (let’s face it, nobody wants to be Kara). I think a little bit of nice is in order. So random winners. No pressure. Good luck and thanks for playing!
I would use an extra monitor to watch @jcerb cry in his twitter feed as his Flyers fall to the mighty Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Final.
I love multiple monitors. With an extra monitor of screen space, I would add a second monitor to my home system. that way I can work as well there as I can at the office.
I want three monitors! That way I can have client’s source documents on one, tax return software on one and last year’s return on the third. Paperless is easier said than done without more screens.
I’ve always wanted to have a third monitor on my Mac- certainly, two monitors makes it nice to view a manual and work on a project simultaneously, but a third monitor would also make it possible to, say, keep email and IM open as well.
Two monitors means a tax return in one screen and the source documents in another! Possibly using it for a third monitor means the same as above plus a monitor for email, twitter, facebook… you know.. the important things in life. 🙂
An extra monitor will certainly speed up my day to day business! One monitor for my spreedsheets, Word documents, developing and designing marketing materials, photo software, etc., all things not Internet based.
No more “Windows Opened Over-Crowding”!!
It would be nicer than nice to work on my laptop without having a back/neckache when I’m done. A friend of mineonce had a laptop with a second monitor above the laptop screen rather than to the side and she was able to flick her eyes down to her research and back up to her writing with practically zero delay. It was amazing (really, a thing of beauty for my little geek eyes) and I’d love to be able to do that with my laptop.
An additional monitor for me would mean monitor #2 – my older Dell docking station doesn’t allow for a second monitor… and we do have the extra 22″ monitor floating around this building I would need to utilize! To answer your question, I’d keep Outlook open on the second monitor and utilize the primary monitor for all the other stuff that goes on in my life on a daily basis! Thanks for the contest…
ANDY
Just for fun, let’s throw a couple more thoughts into the brain-storming kettle… (before someone else takes all the good ones!)
Much of what I do is tech support via remote control software… it would be fabulous to keep one monitor visible on the client’s computer while I’m productive doing research on the problem on a second monitor…
Thanks again for the contest! ANDY
one more… with a second monitor… I could make everyone else jealous… :o)
I have two screens already at work and at home. I’m an auditor and everything is paperless for us, a third screen would be awesome! I would use it at work because my home desk doesn’t have room for it. Oh the efficiencies I could find with a third screen!
Having two monitors currently at my desk is a very nice way to work on a daily basis. Having an additional third monitor makes all the difference. Having 3 allows screen 1 to have last year’s data/workpaper/return, screen 2 has current year data/workpaper/return, and monitor 3 remains your ‘open’ one, for email, research, web usage, etc. Also, never discount the ability to spread an Excel spreadsheet across 3 monitors for those very wide sheets.
Thanks!
Jesse
I have ONE monitor and would adore a second. I visit dozens of website, if not hundreds, per day in my online business providing funding sources to career writers. Imagine monitoring email, social networking, research and composition of my own freelance work on one monitor. A double monitor system would be heaven!
I am a recent college graduate and have been trying to make it as an independent contractor for over a year. I do photography and graphic design for a few companies, but it’s very difficult to run my editing programs and get a good view on my 13″ laptop screen (which is all I have been able to afford). Being able to hook up my laptop to any external monitor would be so helpful!! I could have my files open on my laptop and edit in Photoshop on the external monitor. This would make my work far more efficient, helping me see clearer detail while editing, and not having to switch my (itty bitty) screen back and forth between programs all the time. What a relief!
Two monitors are a live saver! I used to have two monitors at work, then started my own business. I have a second monitor now, but have difficulty it getting it to work right. This special adapter would be awesome! Not only will it help me be more efficient as a Membership Site Coordinator, it will be fabulous to connect to our flat-screen TV…. wow!
I would use the second monitor to keep my Oulook email open all the time, so that I never miss anything,
An extra 22 inches of real estate
Unjust penalties for clients, I’d work to abate.
Oh how happy I’d be!
I’d read and I’d type ’til I just couldn’t see!
I could watch live sports
And continue to produce reports.
I’d keep pace with the Code,
without being slowed.
Taxgirl is who you should follow,
will continue to be my motto!
Here is my twitpic http://twitpic.com/1vehbo
And, yes, my name really is Kara :-).
With the extra monitors, I would create a huge wall of monitors to have a ton of windows open for my book keeping and website management! Also watch some videos and listen to music at the same time.
With a third monitor running on my Apple, I would have a wonderful time simultaneously doing tax research and writing tax case briefs (and more than likely doing too much browsing of tax blogs, facebook, etc.) for my tax classes at USC’s Master of Business Taxation program this fall.
Currently I use my laptop’s built in LCD and a 22 inch external LCD to compare electronic documents (generally prior year returns with current year returns), with the addition of a third monitor I’d buy a second 22 inch external LCD and use the two LCDs for document comparison while reserving my built in display for email.
Thank you for the opportunity!
The life of a geek is what I want to be
More Software, More Hardware, turn me free
Give me more space to research and write
My office filled with the Monitor’s light
I’d finally be able to get the third monitor for work! I would have the PY return on one screen, the CY workpapers one another, and the CY return on the third one.
I’ve been using multiple screens for years. I do it for my writing (I write on one computer and have what I’m writing about on the other). For tax, I’d use it to have the return up on one screen, while I can do my research or scanned source documents on the other.
I’d use the extra monitor to have tax software open and be able to look up info at IRS and in Tax Code – plus other info.
That would save a lot of time and keep me on task to get more done! I work two jobs and saving time helps me to have a life outside of work! 🙂
I have poor eyesight, and need to have my computer’s display on the large type setting. Another monitor would allow me to see more of each document on the screen without scrolling. And it would be nice to have tax software and source documents and Excel visible all at once.
Of course, if I had it right now, it would be showing the World Cup 😉
Go USA!
Thanks dude for your helpful information.
I have started deploying dual monitor capable machines in the nonprofit where I am IT Director. I would use on of these to extend that facility to an additional user, getting our funders even more bang for their buck!
The list of how I could use it are endless, and are all business related.
But, and don’t tell anyone, but I’d probably use it to watch a movie while I was doing all the stuff that I’m “supposed” to be doing.