---
# System prepended metadata

title: Remote Pairing Setup
tags: [lead, best-practice, topic]

---

# Remote Pairing Setup

Current setup to remotely pair in my team. This is a living documentd. I will add things as I encounter them. Feel free to comment.

[TOC]

## General 


Try to **use video** to see each other when pairing [2]!

> Video is one of the most critical factors for doing remote well and maintaining a sense of social connection and humanity [1]

Best to use a **dedicated 2nd screen or device** for the video. 
Using a second device will safe a lot of CPU on your working machine and space on your monitor.

Make sure you have (very) **good sound**.
Headphones with Mic seems to be best. IPad, MacBook seems to have a decent microphone too, but you need a good room accoustic.

See below sections for specific audio hardware, video software and other software.

### Audio (Microphone)

Here what I have tried so far:

What works well:
- Sony mdr-1000x
- Apple EarPods with a cable
- IPad Pro (w/o anything)
- MacBook Pro Built-In

What works not so well:
- Apple AirPods Pro (reduces quality as one speaks a lot)
- Jabra Evolve 75 (Mic quality is to poor)
- Blue Snowball Ice (very good quality, but not sensitive enough imho)

Testing:
- beyerdynamics FOX USB
- Bose QC35

Look for more in this [blog post](https://aaronparecki.com/2020/03/24/4/tips-and-tools-for-remote-meetings-and-presentations#t=11) [4].

### Video (Tools)

Following the video clients I have tried so far.
For the hardware we are using the build in apple devices, which are good enough. So no dedicated hardware mentioned here.

#### Microsoft Teams (++)

Works quite well.
You need an organizations account or similiar.

Here my setup: I am using a second device for video & audio. I can also join with my (same) user on my computer to share my screen. Very nice! 
![Workspace Setup](https://i.imgur.com/qPMbkUd.jpg)

see below for details of the used hardware ;)

#### Apple Face Time (+)

Works quite well. Seems to have the best video quality.
You need an Apple device.

#### Google Hangouts

Should work quite well too [2]. Not tried yet.

#### Slack (-)

The iOS app is not having video. Nor can you see the shared screen in iOS. So I could not use it with my setup.

#### Houseparty (?)

Adds some gamification elements to video chats. But I had no chance to try it out with my team, yet.
Small article [3] about this upcoming app ...

## Programming (Tools)

#### Visual Studio Code (++)

With the [Live Share](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/services/live-share/) extension you can work together on **code** and the **terminal**! Or simply show things (read only mode).

#### Slack (-)

Only shares the *whole* screen! This is laggy and with UW monitors too much! 
The fantastic ***ScreenHero*** functionality is not available anymore.

#### WebStorm (-)

We did not find a (free) solution yet.

## Other Collaboration Tools

### Whiteboarding

#### AWW App (+)

A collaborative online whiteboard for business and education. https://awwapp.com
Looks promising and its some kind of free.

## (My) Hardware setup

My hardware you see on the picture above:

- table: [Jarvis](https://bit.ly/jarvisdesk)
- monitor: [LG38WK95C](https://bit.ly/LG38WK95C) 
- chair: [Aeron](https://bit.ly/aeronChair)
- Apple IPad Pro, Apple EarPods w/ Lightning C.

## References & more to read

[1] [CEOs and Leaders: Here’s how to prepare for an extended period of remote work (Medium)](https://medium.com/@dhassell/ceos-and-leaders-heres-how-to-prepare-for-an-extended-period-of-remote-work-14968f3d668e)
[2] [Remote Pair Programming with Justin (twitter: @railsonmaui) and Steve (YouTube)](https://youtu.be/FkDhVrFgZAQ)
[3] [Zoom Is Dead. Long Live Houseparty (Medium)](https://onezero.medium.com/zoom-is-dead-long-live-houseparty-31106b371ebe)
[4] [Tips and Tools for Improving your Remote Meetings and Presentations on a Budget](https://aaronparecki.com/2020/03/24/4/tips-and-tools-for-remote-meetings-and-presentations#t=11)

###### tags: `topic` `best-practice` `lead`