And on the umpteenth day of the coronavirus panic, the overlords commanded: Thou shalt work from home. Here are some tech tips to help you cope, and perhaps even thrive.
It can be challenging, particularly in small spaces or when others in your household are also working from home. Technology has made remote work possible, but it doesn't always function as you expect — especially if you haven't tested your home setup lately. And digital tools can't always fully re-create in-person communication. Here's some advice for how to work best from home.
Position your webcam smartly. Since we're all on videochat now, just remember: Keep a light source on your face, and try to avoid sitting with a window behind you. Frame your head and shoulders in the shot, and keep the camera lens at or above eye level—use a cardboard box as a stand if necessary. And lift your head up. Your chin will thank you. Lastly, grab a microfiber cloth and wipe off the lens from time to time.
Kill notifications during chats. During video calls – especially if you're sharing screens – no one wants to see your notifications or hear those dings and rings. So mute! In Windows 10, go to System > Notifications & Actions and turn them off. On MacOS 10.8 Mountain Lion or later, click the three lines in the top right corner, then swipe down then turn on Do Not Disturb. Just don't forget to turn your notifications back on once the call is over.
