Well, as functional as my nomadic furniture was, the time came where I wanted to trade up for something a bit more high-tone. So I pulled out my Heartland America catalog [cue flag-waving music] and ordered me up a Boss brand computer stand for just under a hundred bucks. Things were gonna start lookin' up in my Back to the Future '57 Sou'wester trailer. (That's right, my office is in a trailer, you wanna make somethin' of it?)

So, after dinner, I open up the box and start following the diagrams. All tools (a single allen wrench & spanner) were provided, along with one extra bolt in each size. Linda's standing by, in case I need help, but most of the assembly I can do by my lonesome. In less than an hour, we're haulin the thing out to the trailer. Well, we would have, if it fit through the door. D'oh! Detach the keyboard shelf and we're back in business.

There are enough height adjustment holes so that the unit can be tailored to fit a short fat geek like me, or a taller computer jock. The unit measures 25 1/4"W x 50"H x 24"D. There are different configuration choices for monitor placement as well, between 0 to 30 degrees at a downward angle. I chose to tilt mine 30 degrees, so that it's smiling up at me just in front of the keyboard. Very comfortable. Everything's on casters (two of them lockable), which is good for moving the whole workstation where you want it and for gaining access to cables. And now I finally have a place to put the $150 Bubble Jet printer I sprung for last year in a fit of impatience. It's not an AnthroCart, or the Biomorph desk or anything fancy, but then, that's not what I really needed. For us, out in the trailer, we're lounging in some pretty high cotton.

- Peter Sugarman [1/19/98]