[Tech] Dual Monitors

[Nanor]

I run dual monitors and I'm sure a fair amount of you do too. It's great having the extra space to throw windows in while I'm not using them but I'm just wondering is there anything more creative I can do with it?

 

[Ki!ler-Mk1]

You can get destops which stretch accross them, beyond that i just use it to watch tv shows.

 

[Ronin Storm]

extra space to throw windows in while I'm not using them

Not using them? Surely you'd close them if you weren't using them?

Personally, I use the main screen as my "active" monitor and the secondary as a reading and reference screen. Or for keeping an eye on something while doing something else.

You can, of course, get multi-monitor wallpapers to span all your monitors.

I push my taskbar to the secondary monitor to give me more space to work with.

I guess if you were that way inclined you could two-box an MMO, one on each monitor (yes, EVE, I'm thinking of you).

I do, however, get fairly odd results with games and multiple monitors, largely, I suspect, because they have different sizes and resolutions. The secondary is often either blacked out, forcibly reset in resolution, or otherwise mucked with in unhelpful ways. Also, with only two monitors, there doesn't seem to be much point in trying to find a way of spanning both screens with most games as having extra view only to left or right just feels weird (if it's supported at all).

Mostly just find dual monitors useful for software development...

 

[SgtFury]

Dual monitors is great steam games don't run well windowed, but civ 5 doe. Allows young watch videos while waiting for turns supreme commander 2 supports 2 screens and allows a zoomed out view on one and normal on the other, tis cool.

 

[Kasatka]

I prefer to run a single huge screen and run things in windowed as opposed to fullscreen mode. 42" HD screen suits me fine for multiple windows.

 

[Ki!ler-Mk1]

I push my taskbar to the secondary monitor to give me more space to work with.

How is this achieved? The problem i have is my 2nd monitor is a tv, and has much higher brightness which i am unwilling todarken, would be nice to darken it in windows though.

 

[Ronin Storm]

How is this achieved?

In W7, right click the taskbar and untick "Lock the taskbar".

Then drag and drop the taskbar to a new location (new desktop, different part of the screen, whatever).

Once in your desired place, right click the taskbar and lock it again.

 

[PsiSoldier]

I mainly use my second monitor for things like IMs, voice comms, secondary browser window, music players - basically the sort of stuff ronin talked about.

What you can use it for is determined by the quality and resolution of your secondary compared to your primary monitor, in my opinion. (Unless you aren't bothered by inconsitencies across them ofc)

42" HD screen

What res? (I'm guessing by the 'HD' buzzword, 1920x1080)

 

[Wol]

I have 2x 1920*1200, middle I use for primary, 2nd I use for other stuff in the program I'm using, or for reference documentation. e.g. I have composition stuff in the main window, and a timeline in the other window when doing graphics stuff. My third monitor (slightly smaller) I throw things like MSN / rainmeter / IRC / spotify / movies onto.

Works nicely.

It's *really* annoying only having 1 monitor at work now though. So much switching between windows

 

[Kasatka]

I mainly use my second monitor for things like IMs, voice comms, secondary browser window, music players - basically the sort of stuff ronin talked about.

What you can use it for is determined by the quality and resolution of your secondary compared to your primary monitor, in my opinion. (Unless you aren't bothered by inconsitencies across them ofc)



What res? (I'm guessing by the 'HD' buzzword, 1920x1080)

Indeed PsiSoldier, 1920x1080. I play a lot of RPG and RTS games so windowed is fine and gives me loads of room to play with. Also takes up little space in my room as it (will eventually be when i can find the bracket for it) be wall mounted.