The problem you are trying to solve is:

You like to be able to move your eyes and see all needed information in
a glance without moving items/books/papers, or even the mouse to bring
another window into focus.

I prefer doing the same thing.  When I used a 1600x1200 (19") monitor it
was just barely not enough, and I'd usually still have a data sheet or
two on the desk.

Lately, though, I have use of a laptop with a 1400x1050 wide SXGA
screen, which allows me to view two pages side by side in PDF format, or
one page and a program.  I usually arrange the windows so that I can
click someplace on the screen to bring a neede window forward instead of
going to the taskbar.

However, when I know I'm going to be coding for long hours and need to
access several programs and/or pieces of information at once I pull out
a 15" LCD monitor and hook it up to my laptop as a secondary display.
It isn't ideal since the two displays do not match in resolution or
brightness, but it saves a great deal of time, and makes the whole
experience more comfortable and flexible.

I would suggest you use a second monitor if you can afford to do so.
Try to make your workspace more comfortable in terms of glare and
brightness as well - the more monitors you have and the less frequently
you look away from them, the great the eyestrain.  There are many good
online guides on relaxing and exercising your eyes - find a routine that
works for you and use it every 5 to 20 minutes.

-Adam

Zipwize@AOL.COM wrote:

>Every time I use a new PIC I have to have a hard copy of the data sheet or I have to view the .pdf file (data sheet) and swap between the IDE and the .pdf file. I hate to print out all these .pdf files (hard on the trees). The DSP's are even worse with multiple manuals.
>
>Is there a better way? Should I use dual monitors and use more power? How many of us use hard copy as reference during code development?
>
>
>Fred Bailey, code developer
>
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