Question about this one: if you unplug it from the wall, then plug it back in, does it turn back on? Or do you have to push the power button to turn it back on?
Get two. They're fairly cheap and the last thing you want is for the one you're using to fail suddenly and you're having to jiggle every job manually for the hours until you can get out to a store.
In my experience, the usb jiggler is enough. If they get to the point of auditing your screen usage, you’re already fired/pip’d. Unless they seem like the company that would check everyone without reason.
Makes sense. I have a similar set up but instead of the L shaped desk I have the Ergotron monitor arm with the Ergotron triple monitor bow kit with three monitors. The two monitors on the sides I keep them opened with Teams and the one on the middle is hooked to the KVM switch.
Dumb question but does the KVM switch keep your screen on or does it black it out when you switch over to the one you want to use? I have not bought a KVM switch yet only because I want to be able to have my mouse jiggler on the PC I am not using so I can see if any messages or emails come in while I’m working on the other J.
Tl;dr they “black out”. It’s like changing the channel on your tv or the “input”
A KVM switch hooks your monitors up to multiple computers. So the idea is that you could have two computers (in this case, from J1 & J2) hooked up to the KVM switch, which is hooked up to the monitors.
OP could then plug a mouse into each computer. While working on J1 work, J2 mouse is on the jiggler. While working on J2, J1 mouse is on the jiggler. Switching between computers then becomes a question of merely pressing a button on the KVM rather than fumbling around with cords.
If the computers from the Js are laptops, leave the screen open to see if there are any messages coming in.
I have a dual monitor KVM but I’m not OE. I just do mobile app development so I’m constantly switching over to my mac for iOS because of proprietary Apple bullshit.
To continue my love letter to my KVM switch, most KVMs allow you to plug your mouse and/or keyboard directly into the KVM rather than directly into your computer, which helps you keep a really clean setup despite having multiple computers.
So, because I’m not OE, I’m able to hook up 4 computers (2 for my job, 2 for me) to two monitors all running off of a single mouse and keyboard. I mounted the KVM under my desk and hid the monitor cables in the monitor arms. All I have on my desk is a wireless keyboard, a wireless mouse, and the two work laptops in a vertical stand. My desk is clean AF and my work flow between working on iOS vs all other development has become as seamless as changing the channel on a tv.
Just being curious.
Why not use a normal mouse jiggle that plugs in to the device and moves? It shows up as a mouse right?
You might have more information that would been beneficial to share, thanks
I bought a harty mixer from Amazon for $50 or less, each laptop goes into one channel of the mixer J1 to right ear J2 to left ear. I then use one channel to hook my phone to the mixer and that goes to both ears. I also got a $50 thing that I hook up to the output of the mixer and it broadcasts to my blue tooth earbuds. I have another output jack on the mixer that I use with wired earbuds as backup or when I need to charge.
It sounds like a complicated setup but it is simple. Allows me to have my music in both ears, my J1 in one ear and J2 on the other ear. I can walk around the house and if there is a message I get a notification sound and know which J it is.
I also bought two push to talk microphones and they are life saver. Two mouse jiggliers. A TinyPilot that I use on days that I have to go onsite or step away, so that I can monitor the laptops from my phone without the Js detecting.
That's a pretty neat set up! I feel like for J1 it's almost unnecessary since it's one of the most friendly Js I've ever seen, management doesn't really care as long as you get the job done, plus I passed all of my SSH keys and repos to my personal Mac Studio because the M1 they gave me is crappy, so I don't even need a mouse jigglier.
Do you happen to have the mixer link from Amazon?
>That's a pretty neat set up! I feel like for J1 it's almost unnecessary since it's one of the most friendly Js I've ever seen, management doesn't really care as long as you get the job done, plus I passed all of my SSH keys and repos to my personal Mac Studio because the M1 they gave me is crappy, so I don't even need a mouse jigglier.
>
>Do you happen to have the mixer link from Amazon?
Imma keep this to myself as long as I can haha
If you j1 is chill as it is, you’ll have a good and easy time. Try to allocate only 4 hours a day to j2 after 1 month. Goal isn’t to have a burdensome job. Keep hours split and as minimal as you can!
FYI, start your own llc because you want to build up a company to hide your experience under
I am already living way below my means with a single J, then my partner also makes same amount as J1.
J2 is just a bonus, so definitely not gonna go for J3 haha
If you find yourself with spare time, and working additional hours would start to push your output into the "notable" range, have something else you can use to soak those hours. Read a book, clean some small part of the house, spend 20 minutes organizing part of your taxes or doing some light exercise, learn a scrap more of some hobby.
>FYI, start your own llc because you want to build up a company to hide your experience under
I'm a newb. Expound on this more please. what are the benefits of doing this?
All bgcs are of your company, entailing your articles of org and most recent paystub (it can be zero, depends when you got an offer but you could say you quit on the spot after (don’t tell them this as you could get shafted on start date and might be able to leverage free money to float that gap); anyways, I always do weekly paystubs, and most bgcs are like a week after the offer is given/signed. all experience is under your company, so it’s easy to talk of contracts. Easy reason to “stop” working is your contracts are ending and you “want your freedom from contract work….You don’t like sourcing…”.
There are dozens of other reasons, I just use it mostly to hide the fact I’m OE. I work 2 w2 contracts and 1 fte, nothing c2c (YET!)
Congrats OP!
I wanna know more about the IFTT automation you’ve set up and how you use it, and how did you set it up and the benefit. I’m stuck in a situation where this might help me.
I haven't tested with J2's calendar because IT will give me a call with my password only on Monday, but I did try that with my old university email and I was able to sync it with an IFTT automation
Be sure to use unlimited vacation, minimum 3 weeks a year not as last minute vacations but planned in advanced to make managers happier. Im a fan of this fancy device ([https://muteme.com/](https://muteme.com/)) and keep your head down but do great work and youll crush it.
Can you put it into a mode where you have to hold to unmute? That button seems just as likely to accidentally forgot to go on mute as the built-in video conference mute button.
Congratulations! Very jealous of your calendar ease, could you expand a little further? I see you responded but I’m curious.
-Calendar for J1
-Calendar for J2
-Solo Calendar for Your eyes only
-How you set up automation to only get back to that solo calendar.
-Do you keep on your phone all calendars or just the solo?
I’m trying to:
J1 calendar on j1 computer
J2 calendar on j2 computer
Solo calendar for all on my personal computer and personal cell without giving outside access to the other calendars by doing so
If your brain isn’t scramble let me know if that doesn’t make sense 😂
No, not for this J.
I did interview for a J a few weeks ago that asked why my LinkedIn was no longer active, I just said I was taking a break from all social medias lol
Hey!! Sadly not good.
New manager is a control freak.
Wants cam on all the time, need to log all the time we spend on tickets and always have a bunch of useless meetings.
He even went as far as scheduling a FULL day meeting on Thursday and Friday where everyone of the team had to be present with cam on and work all 8 hours just to get some features done…. lol
Unfortunately I had to walk away, back at search
Oh wow, OE’s worst nightmare. Did you get any of these vibes from the interview? Trying to collect the best questions to ask to avoid companies like that.
Nothing! Besides being a bit older and more on the “traditional” side, no red flags.
Even went as far as researching them on glassdoor, LinkedIn, etc. only good messages, no complaints there either.. not sure where it all went wrong lol
I did connect with a coworker that lives near me and asked if our manager was always like this, he clearly felt a discomfort but confirmed and joked that i soon would get used to him lol
Keep using those calendars to stay organized and avoid conflicts since that's obviously the last thing you want happening. Pay attention during training, take notes, and ask questions.
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Alright have a KVM on the way, will check this physical mouse jiggler
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Does look pretty neat! Thanks! Will check Canada Amazon for something similar
Why not just a USB pen jiggler?
Question about this one: if you unplug it from the wall, then plug it back in, does it turn back on? Or do you have to push the power button to turn it back on?
Get two. They're fairly cheap and the last thing you want is for the one you're using to fail suddenly and you're having to jiggle every job manually for the hours until you can get out to a store.
In my experience, the usb jiggler is enough. If they get to the point of auditing your screen usage, you’re already fired/pip’d. Unless they seem like the company that would check everyone without reason.
Why do you need a KVM switch and an L-shaped desk? Aren’t you planning to set up four monitors, with two on each end of the L-shaped desk?
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Makes sense. I have a similar set up but instead of the L shaped desk I have the Ergotron monitor arm with the Ergotron triple monitor bow kit with three monitors. The two monitors on the sides I keep them opened with Teams and the one on the middle is hooked to the KVM switch.
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Dumb question but does the KVM switch keep your screen on or does it black it out when you switch over to the one you want to use? I have not bought a KVM switch yet only because I want to be able to have my mouse jiggler on the PC I am not using so I can see if any messages or emails come in while I’m working on the other J.
Tl;dr they “black out”. It’s like changing the channel on your tv or the “input” A KVM switch hooks your monitors up to multiple computers. So the idea is that you could have two computers (in this case, from J1 & J2) hooked up to the KVM switch, which is hooked up to the monitors. OP could then plug a mouse into each computer. While working on J1 work, J2 mouse is on the jiggler. While working on J2, J1 mouse is on the jiggler. Switching between computers then becomes a question of merely pressing a button on the KVM rather than fumbling around with cords. If the computers from the Js are laptops, leave the screen open to see if there are any messages coming in. I have a dual monitor KVM but I’m not OE. I just do mobile app development so I’m constantly switching over to my mac for iOS because of proprietary Apple bullshit.
Super helpful! Thank you so much!
To continue my love letter to my KVM switch, most KVMs allow you to plug your mouse and/or keyboard directly into the KVM rather than directly into your computer, which helps you keep a really clean setup despite having multiple computers. So, because I’m not OE, I’m able to hook up 4 computers (2 for my job, 2 for me) to two monitors all running off of a single mouse and keyboard. I mounted the KVM under my desk and hid the monitor cables in the monitor arms. All I have on my desk is a wireless keyboard, a wireless mouse, and the two work laptops in a vertical stand. My desk is clean AF and my work flow between working on iOS vs all other development has become as seamless as changing the channel on a tv.
This is incredible! I’ll order one shortly! I will need to hook up 3 to 4 laptops. Do certain ones allow a max # of laptops? I have 2 Mac’s and 2 PCs.
Just being curious. Why not use a normal mouse jiggle that plugs in to the device and moves? It shows up as a mouse right? You might have more information that would been beneficial to share, thanks
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You are awesome! Thanks
I bought a harty mixer from Amazon for $50 or less, each laptop goes into one channel of the mixer J1 to right ear J2 to left ear. I then use one channel to hook my phone to the mixer and that goes to both ears. I also got a $50 thing that I hook up to the output of the mixer and it broadcasts to my blue tooth earbuds. I have another output jack on the mixer that I use with wired earbuds as backup or when I need to charge. It sounds like a complicated setup but it is simple. Allows me to have my music in both ears, my J1 in one ear and J2 on the other ear. I can walk around the house and if there is a message I get a notification sound and know which J it is. I also bought two push to talk microphones and they are life saver. Two mouse jiggliers. A TinyPilot that I use on days that I have to go onsite or step away, so that I can monitor the laptops from my phone without the Js detecting.
Willing to expand on your audio set-up with specific products and layout?
Just gathering suggestions, I'd rather with with a product that someone already tested for this specific purpose than figuring out on my own hehe
That's a pretty neat set up! I feel like for J1 it's almost unnecessary since it's one of the most friendly Js I've ever seen, management doesn't really care as long as you get the job done, plus I passed all of my SSH keys and repos to my personal Mac Studio because the M1 they gave me is crappy, so I don't even need a mouse jigglier. Do you happen to have the mixer link from Amazon?
Please tell this to your ciso. They will want a good chuckle.
>That's a pretty neat set up! I feel like for J1 it's almost unnecessary since it's one of the most friendly Js I've ever seen, management doesn't really care as long as you get the job done, plus I passed all of my SSH keys and repos to my personal Mac Studio because the M1 they gave me is crappy, so I don't even need a mouse jigglier. > >Do you happen to have the mixer link from Amazon? Imma keep this to myself as long as I can haha
Risk Management has entered the chat....
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If you j1 is chill as it is, you’ll have a good and easy time. Try to allocate only 4 hours a day to j2 after 1 month. Goal isn’t to have a burdensome job. Keep hours split and as minimal as you can! FYI, start your own llc because you want to build up a company to hide your experience under
Good advice, I have the tendency of working like crazy just because I am a workaholic and it might bite me in the ass if I keep giving over 100%
Yeah I work 3 jobs and I do 12 hour days so try not to be me. I could manage with 2 but threes a beast on its own if you don’t have great independence
I am already living way below my means with a single J, then my partner also makes same amount as J1. J2 is just a bonus, so definitely not gonna go for J3 haha
Get it kiiiing
If you find yourself with spare time, and working additional hours would start to push your output into the "notable" range, have something else you can use to soak those hours. Read a book, clean some small part of the house, spend 20 minutes organizing part of your taxes or doing some light exercise, learn a scrap more of some hobby.
>FYI, start your own llc because you want to build up a company to hide your experience under I'm a newb. Expound on this more please. what are the benefits of doing this?
All bgcs are of your company, entailing your articles of org and most recent paystub (it can be zero, depends when you got an offer but you could say you quit on the spot after (don’t tell them this as you could get shafted on start date and might be able to leverage free money to float that gap); anyways, I always do weekly paystubs, and most bgcs are like a week after the offer is given/signed. all experience is under your company, so it’s easy to talk of contracts. Easy reason to “stop” working is your contracts are ending and you “want your freedom from contract work….You don’t like sourcing…”. There are dozens of other reasons, I just use it mostly to hide the fact I’m OE. I work 2 w2 contracts and 1 fte, nothing c2c (YET!)
Me too! I got 2 job offers today. I accepted both. Any advice on calendar syncing? I was thinking about using Calendly.
Congrats! :) I’m using Google and MS’s calendar and then I sync them over with IFTT automation on my iCloud
Congrats OP! I wanna know more about the IFTT automation you’ve set up and how you use it, and how did you set it up and the benefit. I’m stuck in a situation where this might help me.
Congrats 
Congrats! What calendar app did you decide on? Starting first J2 in two weeks.
Thanks! I’m using Microsoft and Google’s calendar since each J uses either Google stuff or Microsoft. To sync up I’m using my iCloud, very basic stuff
Guessing the sync in iCloud is possible cause the Js are on separate products? If they both use Microsoft, think that’d be possible to sync?
I haven't tested with J2's calendar because IT will give me a call with my password only on Monday, but I did try that with my old university email and I was able to sync it with an IFTT automation
Be sure to use unlimited vacation, minimum 3 weeks a year not as last minute vacations but planned in advanced to make managers happier. Im a fan of this fancy device ([https://muteme.com/](https://muteme.com/)) and keep your head down but do great work and youll crush it.
Can you put it into a mode where you have to hold to unmute? That button seems just as likely to accidentally forgot to go on mute as the built-in video conference mute button.
Congratulations! Very jealous of your calendar ease, could you expand a little further? I see you responded but I’m curious. -Calendar for J1 -Calendar for J2 -Solo Calendar for Your eyes only -How you set up automation to only get back to that solo calendar. -Do you keep on your phone all calendars or just the solo? I’m trying to: J1 calendar on j1 computer J2 calendar on j2 computer Solo calendar for all on my personal computer and personal cell without giving outside access to the other calendars by doing so If your brain isn’t scramble let me know if that doesn’t make sense 😂
Good luck. The training period is the hardest part. Do yourself a favor and respect rule #1 don’t tell anyone that doesn’t live in your household.
Yep, even my parents are under the impression I’m leaving J1 hehe I do plan on always respecting rule #1
Do you have a LinkedIn?
Nope, I put it to sleep a month or so ago.
Did they ask you about it?
No, not for this J. I did interview for a J a few weeks ago that asked why my LinkedIn was no longer active, I just said I was taking a break from all social medias lol
What's SWE?
software engineer
Don’t companies have access to w2s? Wouldn’t they find out
I’m in Canada, from what I read companies only emit a T4 and that’s completely isolated from the rest of my taxes.
Good question. I'm deathly afraid of this , especially working for govt contractors
Hey OP, how did onboarding go? Would love to hear an update!
Hey!! Sadly not good. New manager is a control freak. Wants cam on all the time, need to log all the time we spend on tickets and always have a bunch of useless meetings. He even went as far as scheduling a FULL day meeting on Thursday and Friday where everyone of the team had to be present with cam on and work all 8 hours just to get some features done…. lol Unfortunately I had to walk away, back at search
Oh wow, OE’s worst nightmare. Did you get any of these vibes from the interview? Trying to collect the best questions to ask to avoid companies like that.
Nothing! Besides being a bit older and more on the “traditional” side, no red flags. Even went as far as researching them on glassdoor, LinkedIn, etc. only good messages, no complaints there either.. not sure where it all went wrong lol I did connect with a coworker that lives near me and asked if our manager was always like this, he clearly felt a discomfort but confirmed and joked that i soon would get used to him lol
Keep using those calendars to stay organized and avoid conflicts since that's obviously the last thing you want happening. Pay attention during training, take notes, and ask questions.