| You have a family. A big family. Your children are | | | | computer as easy for your first grader as it is |
| your priority and making sure they do well in | | | | for your high school senior. In addition, you might |
| school is part of that. But since money doesn't | | | | want to consider adding an adjustable monitor |
| grow on trees, how do you manage a shared | | | | arm to your desk. These arms attach directly to |
| computer among three or four (or even more) | | | | the back of almost any flat screen monitor and |
| kids who all need to use it and how do you keep | | | | can be adjusted for height and tilt at the touch of |
| the work space organized and neat so that one | | | | a finger. Again, this not only makes the work |
| person doesn't monopolize it? Here are some tips | | | | environment more conducive to all involved, but it |
| for making sure your computer doesn't cause a | | | | also frees up desktop space, creating valuable |
| world war within your family: First, if you can | | | | writing space. And a tilting monitor arm is ideal if |
| afford to have multiple computers in the house | | | | your computer is located in a room with natural |
| but not one for each child, consider putting one | | | | light that changes throughout the day. Tilting the |
| each bedroom if multiple children share the room. | | | | monitor to avoid glare is easier on the eyes and |
| A multi-user computer desk, like the ones from | | | | prevents fatigue. Manage computer time based on |
| Versa Products, Inc. is a great way to maximize | | | | the importance of the work that needs to be |
| space so that you don't have to squeeze two | | | | done. If Johnny wants to check email while Suzy |
| desks into a room that already contains two beds. | | | | is busy writing a book report, you could run into |
| The multi-user desk gives both children work | | | | problems. Give each child a set number of |
| space-one can use the computer while the other | | | | minutes throughout the evening to use the |
| uses desktop space-and their individual books, | | | | computer. If one is willing to give up some of his |
| papers, and writing utensils can be kept in cubbies | | | | her minutes on one night so that another child can |
| or plastic bins on a bookshelf. If you have multiple | | | | have more time when they need it, reward that |
| computer users in the same house, but only one | | | | child by giving him/her a "computer pass" to be |
| computer, put the computer in the family room | | | | used whenever he/she wants on another day |
| or den so it can be accessed easily by all family | | | | when his/her minutes are used up. You can also |
| members. A single user desk is the way to go | | | | set rules based on age of the child, as older |
| here, and to make sure that each member of the | | | | children typically have more homework that |
| family can comfortable use the computer, be | | | | requires research online. |
| sure to add a height-adjustable, articulating | | | | Attention all school districts! Don't buy overpriced |
| keyboard arm to the desk. These one-touch | | | | computer lab furniture. Instead shop at and get it |
| adjustable arms allow the keyboard to be | | | | for less. IT professionals can also get lan racks |
| repositioned without any fuss and make using the | | | | there too!!! |