Chapter 1: A Journey Through Computing

Once upon a time, many years ago, I had a suitcase-sized computer with a small 9-inch screen that only displayed green text. It was 1991, and this machine was my gateway to learning programming in Pascal during high school. After years of using hand-me-down Apple ][ series computers, I was thrilled to finally have a "portable" computer. This technology transformed my life, enabling me to write essays with ease, supported by spell check, a game-changer for someone like me with dyslexia.

Though I have always been connected, I never imagined that my computing experience would evolve from that tiny screen to the multi-monitor setup I enjoy today.

My life revolves around computers. From that initial Compaq, I've transitioned through various laptops, including Toshibas, a lovely Sony VAIO, and several MacBooks that allow me to run Linux software alongside Windows applications for writing and illustration. With the advent of AIM, I found myself communicating more through text than face-to-face or over the phone. My lifestyle has become one of travel, observation, and remote work, where my keyboard becomes my primary interface from any surface available—currently, my knees.

As I type on the floor, leaning against a wall amidst the chaos of a mostly packed apartment (I'm assisting a friend with their move to Edwardsville), I've come to realize that one laptop screen is simply insufficient.

Over years of consuming sci-fi in various forms, I was led to believe that one day, every surface would serve as a monitor, or perhaps brain implants would provide a heads-up display in our natural field of vision, or we would enter virtual reality via headsets. What I didn’t foresee was the era dominated by multiple monitors.

My first experience with a triple-monitor setup occurred during my graduate studies at McDonald Observatory. One screen tracked the telescope, another displayed the output and my data reduction efforts, and the central monitor hosted terminal windows for control and even an AIM chat window because, well, chatting.

For years, I couldn’t personally own two monitors. It wasn’t until around 2009 that I finally had a monitor and a laptop working in tandem. Then, in 2020, during the pandemic, my company provided me with two large monitors, and I stepped into the world of three screens.

This is not the sci-fi future I envisioned, but I have grown fond of it. While some construct blanket forts or pillow forts, I build monitor forts.

This morning, as I attempted to code from my single laptop screen, I realized how spoiled I am by my luxurious monitors.

This reality isn’t quite the science fiction universe I anticipated. The underlying issue here is that not everyone can easily access this multi-monitor setup; it requires financial investment. If every surface could become a monitor, or if VR headsets were as common as smartphones, connectivity would be as simple as asking for a Wi-Fi password. Sure, some might have superior plans enabling them to connect anywhere, while others would settle for free connections or lower-quality setups.

As I sit here, frustrated that my 2018 MacBook Pro lacks the screen real estate for Zoom, Discord, Slack, and my coding environment all at once, I recognize that the digital divide is widening. Those with the financial means to enjoy a multi-screen setup can fully immerse themselves, while those on single screens struggle with limited space.

On my expansive monitor, I can experience the thrill of a video game character darting into my peripheral vision or enjoy the cinematography of "Fury Road." I can even engage in Zoom or Discord conversations with friends, making them feel larger than life (or even bigger when they lean in too closely). My experience has been relatively pleasant, and the isolation brought by the pandemic hasn’t felt as severe for me as it has for others.

This disparity in screen size is the latest way society has made life easier for the middle class, and I find it challenging to envision how we might bridge this new digital divide. Are we leaning toward a future of VR, or will every surface be a screen? (I doubt brain implants are coming soon.)

This is undeniably a quality-of-life issue, and while I feel compelled to advocate for change, I’m at a loss for how to articulate it.

Not every essay concludes with a neat resolution. This one may just end abruptly, but this journey has opened my eyes to a new aspect of the digital divide, and I find it frustrating. All I can suggest is to provide your employees with large monitors for their home office setups, allowing them to use those screens with personal computers as well. Acknowledge your privilege as you navigate your multiple windows without overlap. If you find yourself in a single-screen (or tablet) environment, know that I see you, and I hope for a more equitable future soon.

Fort Pamela: Hard at work inside the fort.

Chapter 2: The Screens We Use and Their Impact

The first video showcases an upcycling project, focusing on rebuilding a screened-in porch. It offers insights into creative DIY solutions that enhance outdoor living spaces.

The second video presents a DIY approach to screening in a porch, providing practical tips and techniques for enhancing your outdoor area.