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How to manage effective web browsing and HSXing with a 16:9 display -- my setup and suggestions
While I've wondered over the years, how anyone can trade seriously on HSX without Port Monkey, I've also been wondering how people manage to use their ill-conceived 16:9 laptop screens and monitors for web browsing, with any degree of comfort and efficiency.
I do believe that the trend toward 16:9 displays has been the worst thing ever to happen to consumer computer gear. I've got two of them: a notbook computer, and an LCD TV used as a monitor for my primary web computer. They are both 1366x720 resolution. Higher resolutions don't really help, because they are still vertially challenged, while web pages are best viewed with plenty of vertical space, to minimize scrolling, paging, etc.
Yes, 16:9 is great for watching movies, but, it sucks for web browsing.
I do have a browser and desktop setup that I can use comfortably, and thought I'd share. First, get your taskbar away from the screen bottom! This desktop image is from my Linux box, but, Windows 7 can be set up similarly. Something like, right-click the taskbar, unlock, then grab and drag.
Then, make some changes to Firefox. I used View/toolbars/customize to move the URL bar and the few buttons I use, to the Menu bar. Also on View/toolbars, turn off visibility of the Navigation toolbar, and the Add-on bar. Next, add an extension called Hide Menubar. This allows you to just hit the Alt key if/when you need the menu, or the URL bar or buttons that now reside there. See the bottom of my screenshot image, where I have added a crop of what the Menu bar looks like, with the URL bar and buttons added, as they appear when I press the Alt key. Conveniently, when I hit Ctrl-T for a new tab, the menu is shown, with the cursor in the URL bar, ready for me to type a new address. (I don't recall if I had to do any fiddling to make that occur.)
Now, you've got some decent vertial space in the browser. You could get this much, or more, by browsing in full screen mode. But, then, you would not be able to view the rest of your desktop, and other browser windows. I have the Intraday price graph and trade confirmation windows arranged as desired, and left open permanently. They are too big to display, completely, with their left edges hidden by the Taskbar. It's OK, though, since the important part (of the Intraday graph) is on the right side, anyway. (The ticker symbol is often obscured, but, I know what ticker I just clicked on.)
For anyone curious about Linux, I use the PCLinuxOS distribution. Most Linux distributions are free, and make great web platforms, since you don't have to worry about viruses, and keeping antivirus software updated... because there are no practical attack vectors for virus writers to take advantage of. You do need to be something of a computer nerd to get a Linux system set up, though.
Linux distribution info
Port Monkey info
How to manage effective web browsing and HSXing with a 16:9 display -- my setup and suggestions Nov 03, 06:58
You could just get one of those rotatable monitors. {nm} Nov 03, 12:43
There are a bazillion people with 16:9 laptops, and no desire for an external monitor. Nov 03, 13:30
I think higher res can help, but, it depends on your viewing distance, and eyesight (ability to use small fonts). Nov 03, 17:34
