--- title: The virtues of a second screen date: "2006-04-22T12:00:00Z" categories: - links wp_id: 350 --- [The virtues of a second screen](http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/20/technology/20basics.html). > So now, while I am editing this article on my main screen, the screen beside it shows the outline or earlier draft I am working from -- and, sometimes, Web sites or other documents I keep referring to. > > When I edit photos, the second screen lets me compare the copy I am working on with the original, or shows tool palettes and thumbnails of other images, and I can blow up panoramic shots for closer viewing (though with a bar down the middle, like the central pillar of an old car's windshield). > > When I am shopping on the Web, my two screens let me compare products. > > When I work on tables or spreadsheets, I can see all the columns at once. When I expect important messages, I keep my e-mail program open on the side monitor while I work on something else. --- ## Comments - **Umasuthan** _22 Apr 2006 5:44 pm_: With so much dependency on IT in our day-to-day work, as the author points out even 2 screens wouldn't be sufficient. True. ‘Ease of use’ has become a major issue in IT systems. That reminds me. Did u check the 'Reveal' and 'Firefox Showcase' plug-ins for Firefox? - **Saurabh** _22 Apr 2006 6:12 pm_: Does anyone use Maxthon also? - **S Anand** _23 Apr 2006 4:37 pm_: First time I'd heard of it, actually. - **ravi** _24 Apr 2006 2:00 am_: anand the links ask for registration??!! - **S Anand** _24 Apr 2006 6:46 am_: Yeah, but it's a free registration. www.BugMeNot.com might be able to provide you with a username and password.