My Cool Workplace

Since I love my hole in the floor, I decided to submit some office photos to Lifehacker's Coolest Workplace Contest. My submission follows...

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I had to move to Chicago from a house I really loved because of my partner's insistence that, as a zoo vet, it was appropriate that she work in a zoo. As consolation, I was allowed to cut a two inch square out of our brand-new hardwood* floor. This office is the result of that indulgence.
I work from home, and sit in what was intended as a solarium at a barrister's desk that used to belong to my aunt. I like a really broad expanse of desk to cover with illegibly scribbled notes, and this thing really fits the bill. I drilled a two inch hole through the top to pass cords through to the hole in my floor to the computers and KVM switch in my basement. The desk's credenza and a pack of barrister's bookcases complete my furnishings; we tiled a new top that rests on top of the credenza and gives me space for my cactus and succulents.
Although having my three computers (a Linux server, a work box, and a personal box) located under my feet keeps my office neat and quiet, there are some disadvantages. To mitigate them I've got a USB drive on my desktop and I've run remote power and reset switches for the two computers that matter most to me, attaching them to the underside of my desk. This was a fantastic arrangement with our last dog, but our new beast is just big enough that he can turn off my computers with his nose if he feels like it -- another good reason to train your dogs I suppose. The switch wires eventually terminate in molex connectors, and I've wired their mates into all three of my computers, so it is easy for me to swap a pair of remote switches from one computer to another.

What this setup is missing, unfortunately, is a USB switch. I've been underwhelmed by the price-performance of USB 2.0 switches so far, but I'm hopeful that my cheap shriveled heart will swell with joy at a bargain later this year. Until then I'm making due with desk-accessible USB from the one computer of my choice.
I've got a very nice view of my patio and yard from my desk, which has eight windows surrounding it on three sides. The desk itself faces into our family room, where if I'm feeling unproductive I can see whatever the Tivo happens to be doing without technically taking my eyes off my monitors -- although usually I just use the Tivo to play music from my Linux server. (Right now there is a trestle table set up by the TV for some frenzied scrap-booking of our honeymoon in beautiful Matsuyama, but that is a temporary feature.)
A small unfinished portion of our basement happens to reside directly under my office, and while technically it is another room this is where any computation too difficult for my HP-15C actually takes place. I've got a nice sexy rackmount on the wall for my networking gear courtesy of a previous employer. The computers themselves sit on a less elegant piece of MDF ugliness in the elevated portion of the unfinished space. The KVM switch is on a shelf in the rafters so that I can use manageable cable lengths.
In general, I am really happy with this setup. It is open yet fairly private, and by walking no more than 20 paces and opening no more than one door I can visit the refrigerator, bathroom, or great outdoors. Because my desk faces west, I do occasionally have to adjust my blinds to prevent early-morning monitor whiteout. On those rare occasions when I need privacy from what's going on in the family room I can walk a phone or laptop into another room or out onto the porch (or take my preferred tactic of bitching other people out of the family room).

Some additional notes about the pictures:

• I'm using an ancient Lexmark keyboard. I have a supply of them in the basement to use as donors for mechanical and cat-related issues. I'm addicted to the mechanical throw, even though it may sometimes irritate the family room.
  
• I do have a chimnea stuffed with blankets in my office. It is a cat den.
• The cable control system under my desk is in a temporary state of dishabille because of recent canine deconstruction operations.
• The red ethernet run lolling off of the desk is a 100' emergency cable for when our wireless network's throughput just won't cut it; usually it is rolled up under the desk, but it is currently deployed as a scrap-booking aid.
  

In closing, in case you publish this, I have an office-related quandry that your readership may be able to help with. As detailed on my fairly pointless blog, I'm looking for some kind of machine-for-sitting which will allow our dog to maintain contact with me while I sit at my desk. Sitting at my feet doesn't cut it because the cats take that as intense provocation and retaliate. I'm out of ideas.

* According to the general contractor, "Tasmanian oak", which is actually Eucalyptus but a genuine hardwood. Our pets, who have been steadily scrimshawing their way through it since we took possession, lead me to suspect we may have a different wood. Next time I'm going with slate.