Equipment list
A part of getting ready to start with EA and BPM is to get yourself set up. The items below include things that I recommend (some of them are Amazon affiliate links)
Furniture
Get yourself a comfortable chair and -ideally- a large enough desk. I am using a butcher block kitchen countertop and an office chair from IKEA. I forgot where the cabinets were from ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
All the furniture in my reading nook is also from IKEA. The posters, as well as the postcards in the picture above, are funny one-star reviews of the National Parks created by Amber Share.
Electronics
Since you most likely already have a computer, you should be fine as long as it is a relatively new model. It also doesn’t really matter if it is a Windows PC, a Macintosh, or a Chromebook. However, some tools require a download client for some functionality, so have a look for the tech requirements of those (ARIS for example uses Java for its download client, so you would need to be able to run a (free) Java Runtime Environment).
The items below are things that I personally use:
- Logitech K380 wireless keyboard
A wireless keyboard that can connect to three different bluetooth devices (the yellow buttons in the top row).
- Perixx PERIMICE-804 Bluetooth Vertical Mouse
If you haven’t tried a vertical mouse that enables a more natural position of your hand, go do it now. Your wrists will thank you.
- ViewSonic VX3211-4K-MHD 32 Inch 4K UHD Monitor
A 32″ 4k monitor with enough room for large models. It comes with a HDMI and Display Port input.
- Mount-It! Single Monitor Arm Mount
A VESA-compatible monitor arm that allows you to adjust your monitor in multiple dimensions and clear desktop space underneath it. It also supports cable management.
- ORANGEHOME Vertical Laptop Stand
This stand allows you to tuck away your laptop while you’re working on the large external monitor.
- MCY USB C Hub
This 8-in-1 hub allows you to connect your external monitor, charge your laptop, have 3 USB A ports, and has 3 different card reader inputs.
- Jabra Speak 510+ UC Wireless Bluetooth/USB Speaker
A wired/bluetooth speaker for conference calls or remote trainings/webinars. It is also small so that you can take it with you to a client site and have calls with multiple people in the room.
Unfortunately the music quality is not *that* good (but the next recommendation fixes that).
- OontZ Angle 3 Ultra Waterproof 5.0 Bluetooth Speaker
A speaker for listening to music while you are cranking out the artifacts “in the zone”. And since it is waterproof it will also accompany to your next camping trip or outside party.
- AUKEYPOWER FHD Webcam, 1080p Live Streaming Camera with Stereo Microphone
This relatively cheap webcam has a good picture and can be placed on top of the external monitor, so that you can be seen in video conferences while your laptop is nicely tucked away.
- Fire HD 10 tablet
A “good enough” tablet that does the trick for reading documents, books, and display PDFs of to-be-imported models. It also entertains you on trips to clients or offside locations.
You can install Google’s Play Store on it (“sideload” four different files) and it is a fully functional Android tablet.
I have done this on all of my two Fire tablets and never had a problem.
- TechMatte Multi-Angle Aluminum Holder for Tablets
A cheap holder for your tablet or phone.
