My Specially Equipped Turntable Desk
by
Arthur Heyer
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My desk is a focus of attention. It
looks busy, compact,
efficient, ...and God knows it is efficient!
It suits me so well!
It is large, with two 40" diam turntables
and two extension tables,
one on each corner of the desk.
The Extension Tables surround me in a "U"
shape.
The design allows me to use and easily access
every inch of the desk.
On one turntable sits my computer and a
large filing tray.
On the other turntable it is all reference
material:
2 more filing trays and one reference
book on the turntable,
...and 5 more reference books on a carrousel
above the turntable.
Without moving away from my computer, I
can access the telephone,
my files, the yellow pages, and five more
reference books.
I rotate the turntables electrically by
touching micro-switches
with the tip of my mouthstick.
The turntables are easy to turn - by hand
or by mouthstick,
but I use them motorized, because the motors
serve also as a break,
making the turntables stable when so needed.
The extension tables not only add much needed
working space.
Their position surrounding the user allows
one to have
uninterrupted access to selected things.
For example,
the telephone is one device which is frequently
used unpredictably.
It can ring at any time without previous
warning.
Therefore, it is convenient to have it instantly
available at all times,
placed on a fixed spot close to one, such
as are the extension tables.
The combined surfaces, rotating and fixed,
allow for very useful
combinations of equipment and reference
material.
For example: the file tray where I
keep my floppy disks
is equipped with a folding ramp designed
to load the diskettes
directly into the disk drives of my computer.
I have found it convenient to have my computer
on one of the turntables,
where it can be made easily available to
my secretary
who can sit on the other side of my desk
to take dictation.
But, at the same time, I like to have my
stored floppy diskettes
next to me on one of the Extension Tables,
which is no problem:
when I need to backup my files, which I
do frequently,
I just rotate the turntable, bring the computer
in front of the diskette file tray,
I open the file tray, flip the ramp, and
comfortably proceed
with the diskette loading and the backing
up of my files.
Part of my telephone equipment shares the
extension table
where the diskette filing tray is.
It includes a facsimile and an answering
machine.
The printer and a tray with stationary are
on the other extension table.
My stereo and an intercom are on a second
level 14" above this other
extension table. All the devices are
conveniently placed
within reach with my mouthstick. Substantially
increased independence, efficiency, and comfort are accomplished with the
use
of a turntable desk of this kind.
I remember when I did not have any of this
equipment.
I spent most of my time and energies thinking
of how I could do the job
by myself. Later on, on how
I could do the job better and more efficiently. Now, I spend most of my
time trying to make all this equipment,
which has been so beneficial to me, available
to all others who are now
in the same spot I was many years ago!
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