WFH office setup and gear - Part 3 (US edition)

I posted a picture of my USA home office setup on Instagram recently and got an immediate flurry of "what is this" and "why'd you choose that" questions from folks, so I figured I'd continue tradition and give a bit of an update.

If you haven't read Part 1 and Part 2 yet, the tl;dr: The USA is home, but I also have a home base in Sydney, Australia. Optimizing my home office space for a work-from-home/hybrid setup became a bit of a hobby whilst bugged-in, and subsequently stranded in Oz during the pandemic. I required a highly functional setup that was flexible enough to adapt to the changing nature of work, and I didn't have a lot of time to get it up and running. It was important to get it operational swiftly, considering the uncertain timeline for our return to the USA. To ensure we didn't go overboard, I established strict budget and availability objectives, and this forced thoughtful design and product choices.

In late-2021, as travel restrictions in Australia eased, I returned to California. Since then, I've essentially duplicated the effective elements of my Sydney setup, with some tweaks—which is primarily what I'm discussing here.

1. Firstly, everyone's curious about my TMP-100 teleprompter, which uses a Lilliput A11 10.1" screen. Previously, I used an iPad, but its lag, constant charging need, and reliance on an app for image inversion were drawbacks. The Lilliput, in contrast, allows native horizontal image flipping and connects easily via HDMI—much more straightforward. Behind the teleprompter's glass is a Canon m200 digital SLR with a "nifty-fifty" lens. It connects to an Elgato Camstick via HDMI. In Sydney, I used USB with Canon's webcam drivers, but I've found dedicated hardware more reliable than software solutions.

2. I now have an LG 32" ultrawide curved monitor. Although initially skeptical about curved monitors, this one has won me over.

3. For daily-driver compute, I use a Macbook Pro M1 13". It acts as a desktop for me. I also have a 13" M2 Macbook Air for travel, but it lacks HDMI output and can only drive one external monitor.

4. Google Home remains a favorite for displaying photos, keeping time, and managing Pomodoro sessions.

5. Audio-wise, I've switched from the Focusrite 2i2 to a Rode Caster Pro 2, coupled with a Rode Procaster mic, a Rode boom stand, and a Cloudlifter preamp. The Caster Pro 2's onboard compression and accessible controls suit my tendancy to move around a fair bit when on calls, interviews, and podcasts.

6. Lighting is provided by Elgato Keylight Airs, which I brought from Australia. I've detailed them in previous posts.

7. Another unique feature is my MagicMirror on a Raspberry Pi 4, transforming an ordinary screen into a customized display showing everything from time and weather to tasks and calendars. It's basically a "heads-up display".

8. There's a handy hook on my desk for essential items like car keys and earbuds.

9. A standout addition is the Roland electric drum kit. Unplugged but not unused, it serves as a physical and mental break from work, keeping my drumming skills sharp and offering a source of inspiration.

10. In the background are various personal items: speaker and conference lanyards, a DEF CON flag, framed articles, and an Elgato Green Screen for more formal video calls. The clutter creates a visually interesting backdrop, while the area in front of me is less cluttered, featuring items like a framed Grace Hopper t-shirt, a painting that I love, and a hexagonal pencil-holder from a close friend in early Bugcrowd days. These little joys, along with the view of Mt Diablo, bring smiles to my day.

…and, there you have it.

If you've got any questions, hit me up via Twitter at https://twitter.com/caseyjohnellis!