workstation of the "future"

[weirdguy]

I was looking though my old books when I came across eywitness future. It's from 1997 so it's really funny. But one thing that caught my eye was the workstation of the future.
http://img308.imageshack.us/img308/6761/cbn22sb.jpg
(When I fist got this book, this made me worried about the size, because cubicles are small enough!)

So this won't be a PC mod, more like a monitor/mouse/keyboard mod.
It will have dual flat screens, a REALLY compy chair, and maybe even surround sound.

If you have any advice please post!

Fist step: finding the perfect chair!

(p.s. does anyone know if trackballs are good for gaming?)

[UK-Blade]

2 Words


DO IT

I could see a really interesting 'Work(Game)Station of the Future' here.

Lots of potential, my minds racing with ideas.

As for trackballs, there only good for Missile Command (if ur old enough to remember ;) ) and Marble Madness......Ahhhh Retro Gaming......

[sXenoG]

Shoot when i get my own place in a few years ill look into making one of them :D

[crazybillybob]

I use a Logitech trackball for gaming! My brother in law uses a Microsoft trackball. They work very well. We play FPS, Strats, it works well for anything.

It just takes some practice.



Crazybillybob

[crenn]

And make sure it's a decent brand of trackball. I have a NEC keyboard/trackball combo, and the trackball totally sucks. But I like that comp. of the future..... and to me it looks like it has 2 small projects in the top of the chair.

[weirdguy]

It does look like projectors, but that would be way to complicated.

I'm looking at two of these monitors:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824168005

[tudop]

This is an ambitios project and I do hope you'll finish it :)

For the chair I thought you could use a car seat with a custom made support (stand ...). I think you could find a very nice seat on a wreked car or smth. one with some electric controls even :D And you could make the stand for it with some electric actuators (some high power ones like on large sat. dish )

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/5006/scaunelectric9rn.th.jpg (http://img329.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scaunelectric9rn.jpg)

[NetSapiens]

As for trackball.. have you seen the gyroscopic mice, used in conference rooms? That might be a nice alternative. It's not too damned accurate to be honest, but if you're mainly aiming for cool effect, I think it would work really well.

[wishiwasmodding]

does that have a left hand trackball i cant use any mouse with my left hand

[montmorency]

It does look like projectors, but that would be way to complicated.

I'm looking at two of these monitors:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824168005

looks like they are projecting on to that wraparound scree n thingey-majiger

[Nogatsira]

wow awesome project. if ur starting on this one then ill be following it step by step!

what about a joystick for the left hand? and then the joystick should be able to rotate the screen from left to right, so its easier to step out of ur "desk" and easier to talk with people who are in front of u :)

[titch162006]

Haha seriously.....

Dude this would be frickin amazing if you do it. If it works i am making one!!!! :D .

I am definately following this thread.

Good luck man!!

Titch

[OvRiDe]

I came across this ...
http://www.mypce.com/images/pce_pics/john.jpg

If anybody is still persuing this type of mod it may help with some ideas.

Full details can be found HERE (http://www.mypce.com/index.shtml)..

Looks like fun.. too bad this one is really EXPENSIVE :(

[crenn]

That would be great for several types of racing games if you had a steering wheel!!!

I only know one thing........ I WANT ONE!!! XD

[adreamtraveler]

daaaaaaamn....lol i want one too lol ...but wow...$6K ...geez lol that's a bit too much....i bet if someone had an old universal gym they could mod it to create something like this lol :p

[public_eyesore]

i though about building somthing similar but just on the chair, cause i dont have a place to mount 5.1 or more speakers

[OvRiDe]

i bet if someone had an old universal gym they could mod it to create something like this lol

Thats the first thing I thought of when I saw it too!!


i though about building somthing similar but just on the chair, cause i dont have a place to mount 5.1 or more speakers

Im in the same boat.. I thought about have some arms that would go from the back of my desk over and behind me.. but its not very asthetically pleasing for my better half.. heh

I wish we knew someone that was pretty good at bending metal.. *coughtribal* ;) . I can just see the worklog it would look like an episode of American Choppers or Biker Build Off.. :D

[Dark-hobo]

I have access to a pipe bender... my dad just got a new job at Bahn Brenner(Aftermarket supercharger makers for VWs). They have a pipe bender... I could do this if I got the money and the motivation :P.

[sXenoG]

As awsome as it truly looks do you guys actually think its practical?

[crenn]

Yeah, as long as the chair has a built in back massager!!

[sXenoG]

lol were talking about the 10 grand workstation/computer :P

[Xato]

I wouldnt buy one, it only looks comfortable sitting in the one rigid position... and i move around a lot while sitting.
That and i'd prefer 3 monitors on it... that way things load in the middle one and not off to the side.

[public_eyesore]

Yeah, as long as the chair has a built in back massager!!
awesome, you cant forget the drink holder. lol

[abnoea]

drink holder... heck if your gonna build something like this include a hot plate, microwave and mini fridge! =D

or atleast the mini fridge

[adreamtraveler]

or atleast the mini fridge

DEFINITLY A MINI FRIDGE!! ... and a bottle opener lol :p

[Rankenphile]

Meh, if I'm gunna spend that kind of cash on something like that, I want it to have wheels and a 100cc engine. I'd be blasting down the road, fragging newbs and getting speeding tickets at the same time.

:D

[OvRiDe]

Meh, if I'm gunna spend that kind of cash on something like that, I want it to have wheels and a 100cc engine. I'd be blasting down the road, fragging newbs and getting speeding tickets at the same time.

:D

Nice.. but Im thinking V8 with a HEMI.. heheh

[Aero]

Diesel anyone?

[montmorency]

supercharged!!!!!!

[OvRiDe]

With the prices of the other one.. heres one thats closer to my price range :D .

http://www.smohara.com/gamechair/front-threequarter.jpg

I know its not really a workstation.... but its still a neat idea.

Read about it HERE (http://www.smohara.com/gamechair/)

[thedaarkangel]

looks kool and looks like you could be really lazy and comfy in there.
u should install a food thing or summtin in there... :)

[RangerDanger]

awesome setup dude. Im still trying to think of a way to fit a comp with adding any more sapce....mayb in the back fo the chair...iunno?

[OvRiDe]

Funny I was thinking about this thread the other day when I came across this...
http://www.instructables.com/ex/i/3EEBC360156910299AD7001143E7E506/

Still not the workstation of the future but looks like it could be alot of fun!

[bobthecarguy]

If you can find one in a wrecker, a 1990 300ZX seat would be the perfect starting point! Fully adjustable at every area!
http://www.angelfire.com/extreme4/nissan300zx/images/driverDoorOpen.JPG

[nil8]

You might also consider a newer model 18 wheeler seat. Not only do they hydraulically move, they're designed to be comfortable for people up to 300 lbs for 8+ hours a day everyday. Now that's some cushion.

Personally, I like playing games on just 1 monitor, so you might consider a swivel setup(like used for tv wall mounts) for your monitors.

In any case, very neat idea, quite expensive unless you can swap the case out and update your pc.

Anyone considered the use of wood? Cheaper and easier than metal for something like this.

[Tortilaman]

If you can find a chair, then mount it on top of a sort of box or cage thing that is maybe 8 inches off the ground, and make the computer horizontal or flat so that you can slide it in and out of the space under the chair. Or you could just mount it in there permanently.