Computer Furniture and Your Online Home Business

It doesn't seem like such a significant subject at first glance.  But if you're trying to start an online home business, your computer furniture is going to start making a real difference to you.  You will be spending a fair amount of time using it to get your business up and going.  So, if you don't take a moment to give it some thought, you will wind up finding out that your computer workstation is absolute misery.

While it's not an exercise in learning the whole of ergonomics, there are a few things you should take into account when choosing your computer furniture.

- Computer desks:  How much of a computer desk you want is up to you, but you should get one that's big enough for you.  You will know its too small if you sit down at it and feel like you've been shoehorned into a sardine can.  The layout should also be sufficient to place your keyboard and monitor so that you don't have to do yoga to reach or use them.

- The mouse:  While not a piece of computer furniture, your mouse can have a lot of effect on your computing experience.  Having worked with both a traditional ball-tracking mouse and an optical mouse, I find the optical mouse the most trouble-free.  Plus, I use a mouse pad with a wrist rest and highly recommend them over a plain mouse pad.  I have used them too, and they just don't compare.

- Printers:  These should go somewhere within easy reach, as a lot of the documentation you will want to store for future reference will come from the Net or your email and require printing.  A printer stand of some sort or spot on your computer desk is enough.  If you have to open a drawer to get to it, it will get old.

- Your chair:  You will need something that is either your size or can be adjusted to your size.  I have found armrests are handy, because typing without them is no kind of fun at all.  I have also seen the chairs that are basically 'kneeling' frames without backs and arm rests, but the one time I ever sat in one was not pleasant for me.  I don't recommend them.

- Wireless:  This one is simple.  If you use a wireless router or connection, make sure it's placed so that the path between the router and your computer is unobstructed.

You don't need to spend a fortune.  But if you spend a little thought in advance in building your computer workstation, it will pay off in long-term comfort for you as you work your online home business.