Separate monitor/PC for IF and POS?

[Natalya Murphy]

Here's the dilemma I'm facing in our shop. Right now we have one computer with one monitor at the design counter. The computer has both Integrated Framer and FrameReady loaded on it. When I'm doing design with the customer I turn the monitor toward them so they can see the design. When it's time to price the frame, I feel funny turning the monitor back to do the FrameReady stuff. 4 times out of 5 the customer will lean in to see the pricing anyway.

Typically I log in to FrameReady as level2 so I can still see wholesale prices if I need to. Of course, with the customer staring at the computer I don't really want to be going in to the different screens and having them see the markups. On the other hand, I don't want to log in as level1 because I find it's too restrictive.

How are other folks handling this issue? Do you have IF on a separate computer or do you just have 2 monitors hooked to one computer, and you just turn off the customer-facing monitor when the design work is done?

[dougj]

Do a grumble search for Dual Monitors there is a lot of info there.
We use dual monitors you can switch back and forth.

[Emibub]

I just purchased FrameVue and faced the same dilemma. I have not set mine up yet, I don't even have all the stuff yet but, I spent money on a second monitor because I cannot imagine my customers looking over my shoulder while I'm pricing. I got a good deal at newegg.com thanks to Paul N. Plus, big thanks to Mike for steering me towards the video card and software for dual monitors. Now, if I could just get someone to hold my hand while I open up th ecomputer to put in the new video card and memory........

[Paul N]

Kathy:

Mike or I will hold your hand remotely!

Don't worry, it'll be easy.

[John Ranes II, CPF, GCF]

Hi Natalya,

As Dougj recommended, do a search, and you'll find numerous threads on the setup of visualization hardware.

I elected to keep the visualization off my POS server and workstation. I keep a unique PC loaded with visualization software (IF, PIF, Pre-View etc.). The only other software running on this PC is Vitural Gallery.

What I did do was keep a wired set of controls in front of the customer's monitor so that they can control what's happening when they are searching for artwork.

http://hometown.aol.com/jerserwi/images/integrated_framer_customers_view_feb_2006.jpg

I added a second set of controls (wireless keyboard and mouse) on the staff side of the design table to control the visualization software. I think several other folks have created a setup similar to this...

http://hometown.aol.com/jerserwi/images/integrated_framer_feb_2006.jpg

A monitor splitter send the images to the large screen for the customer and a secondary small monitor for the staff to work with. This works well for us.

Regards,

John