I’m cross posting this one from an old post on coding horrors. I can’t find the original now, but I had saved the text. I found it on

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/

Article 1: Every programmer shall have two monitors
If you want to maximize developer productivity, make sure each developer has two monitors.
Article 2: Every programmer shall have a fast Computer
Developers are required to run a lot of software to get their jobs. The faster a developer’s computer is, the faster they can cycle through debug and compile cycles. Time spent staring at a progress bar is wasted time.
Article 3: Every programmer shall have their choice of mouse and keyboard
Programmers should have the unique relationship with their mouse and keyboard– they are the essential, workaday tools we use to practice our craft and should be treated as such.
Article 4: Every programmer shall have a comfortable chair
Let’s face it. We make our livings largely by sitting on our butts for 8 hours a day. Why not spend that 8 hours in a comfortable, well-designed chair? Give developers chairs that make sitting for 8 hours not just tolerable, but enjoyable.
Article 5: Every programmer shall have a fast internet connection
I’m all for books, but it’s hard to imagine getting any work done without fast, responsive internet searches at my fingertips.
Article 6: Every programmer shall have quiet working conditions
Programmers cannot work effectively in an interrupt-driven environment. Make sure your working environment protects your programmers’ flow state, otherwise they’ll waste most of their time bouncing back and forth between distractions.