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Man Comes Up With A Cheap Idea To Protect Laptops From The Sun And It Actually Works
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Man Comes Up With A Cheap Idea To Protect Laptops From The Sun And It Actually Works

Interview With Author
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Summer is magical. You get plenty of sunlight, vitamin D, and positive vibes. However, it’s not all just pros in summer—the season has some cons, too. Like the fact that… you get plenty of sunlight. And that messes up your ability to work outdoors on your laptop (just like magic messes up electronics at Hogwarts).

Fortunately, someone came up with an easy and obvious solution to the issue that’s mucking up some people’s ability to work in nature while some of us are still working away from the office. LinkedIn user Tom Wood shared his cardboard box hack in a tongue-in-cheek post and people loved it so much, they shared photos of themselves applying the hack, too. A lot of people came up with this hack independently of Tom as well. You take your laptop and you put it into any cardboard box which creates cover from sunlight. And… [drumroll] no more squinting. It’s really as simple as that! But who said that the best solutions have to be ultra-complicated, right, dear Pandas?

Tom told Bored Panda about what inspired him to make the post in the first place. “I was enjoying the beautiful sunshine and didn’t want to waste it by sitting inside, so I was trying to work out a way of being able to sit in the sun and work at the same time. I didn’t want to sit under an umbrella or in the shade, so I thought… I know, I’ll put the laptop in the shade. I found the perfect sized box and the rest is history.” Read on down for the rest of our interview with Tom and to hear his thoughts about what lessons the pandemic has taught us about working from home.

More info: LinkedIn | EvansDenham.com

Tom Wood posted a tongue-in-cheek hack for how to shield your laptop from the sun when you’re working outside

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Image credits: Tom Wood

Tom told us that he never expected his post to get so much attention online. “I thought a few people might enjoy, definitely not 2.3 million.”

We were also interested to find out what Tom though the coronavirus quarantine taught us all about working from home. “Coronavirus has taught us that working from home is absolutely possible and has actually forced the hand of a lot of businesses who resisted the move. With the modern technology we have available and a focus on happiness at work and work-life balance, working from home should be much more common and much more accepted.”

He continued: “It amazed me how so many companies weren’t set up for this and didn’t have the solutions in place. There has definitely been an increase in productivity and I am sure a decrease in work-related stresses over the last 3 months, not to mention the decrease in pollution in relation to fewer people traveling.”

Tom believes that a lot of companies are rushing to get their employees back to the office because a lot of them are “stuck in the dark ages and are run by narcissistic controlling managers who cannot bear to not be in charge.”

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He added that a lot of companies and owners need to feel in control and have power over their employees. “When they are remote, they lose this power and they hate it. Companies that manage by input and not output are the ones that will want their people back in the office.”

People loved the hack so much, they posted photos of themselves using the cardboard box hack

Some people said that they came up with the idea all on their own

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Some people got creative and had to think outside the box to shield their electronics from sunlight

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Tom’s funny LinkedIn post about the “latest technological breakthrough” got more than 49k reactions and received over 3.4k comments. The post also went viral on other platforms and plenty of media outlets covered the simple but enjoyable story. It just goes to show that a bit of comedy goes a long way in grabbing people’s attention.

Some ‘critics’ asked about thermal ventilators so that the laptop doesn’t overheat. Tom was quick to point out that he works in the shade and that there are openings in the sides of the box for proper ventilation.

While others wondered whether putting your laptop in a box makes it harder to type. Tom then admitted that it’s all just for show. However, one LinkedIn user joked that typing could be easier if you put your hands through the slits on the sides of the box first. Which could work but needs some testing!

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Our team at Bored Panda has yet to try out Tom’s DIY hack but rest assured, dear Readers—we’ll test it out. And if you’ve tried it, dear Pandas, share your photos in the comments below!

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Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

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Jonas Grinevičius

Jonas Grinevičius

Author, BoredPanda staff

Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

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mphseti avatar
mph seti
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Get a pristine white cardboard box, stick a light grey Apple logo on it, sell it for $199.

florencegift avatar
Florence Gift
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Marriage is sweet, Love is also sweet but i don't see why after getting married to my dream man he still cheated on me with his EX girlfriend though i had try breaking into his IPHONE since last year but still not getting access to his phone since then i just try to swallow all my husband had been doing but i can't take it any more so i came in contact to gmail of fredvalcyberghost@gmail.com, with his help I had access to my husband's phone without touching his phone. I had full information of his chats with his ex-girlfriend last year. With all I saw, I don't think I can move on with the marriage. He went as far as telling the girlfriend that I have been his wrong & i beat her up almost everyday. I was so disappointed & I called off the marriage.. and you can text, call or whatsapp him on +15177981808 or +19782951763

Load More Replies...
dinosaurm1911 avatar
CaptainDinosaur
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I make corrugated boxes for a living. (We NEVER say that c-board word) It does my heart good to see the seemingly innocuous things I manufacture everyday become more than just a box that stuff comes in. I mean, cat tanks?! Outdoor offices?! Very cool for me, because making that stuff is how I feed my kids. Love it.

michel_2 avatar
Marcellus the Third
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mind boggles somewhat by these people, for whom 'shade' is a revolutionary brand-new concept?! Anyway what it doesn't explain is how to win against the cat inevitably occupying the box already.

jackstevens avatar
MiraiJack
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even better idea, don't work in the sunlight with your computer.

gamingworld avatar
Gaming world
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

haha wow..you know i caugh one of my girl sitting in garage and watching her mobile.

gistnobs avatar
gist nobs
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just make sure you leave room for air to flow around/under/behind the laptop so it doesn't cook itself. Gistnobs

brettconnor avatar
Brett Connor
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

It looks like a mental health problem. Why do you need to be on the computer outside unless you're actually making an income. Computers and Cell phones have destroyed everything that makes us human individuals.

carolynparker avatar
CParks
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They're obviously doing work from home etc. Your comment looks like a mental health problem!

Load More Replies...
mphseti avatar
mph seti
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Get a pristine white cardboard box, stick a light grey Apple logo on it, sell it for $199.

florencegift avatar
Florence Gift
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Marriage is sweet, Love is also sweet but i don't see why after getting married to my dream man he still cheated on me with his EX girlfriend though i had try breaking into his IPHONE since last year but still not getting access to his phone since then i just try to swallow all my husband had been doing but i can't take it any more so i came in contact to gmail of fredvalcyberghost@gmail.com, with his help I had access to my husband's phone without touching his phone. I had full information of his chats with his ex-girlfriend last year. With all I saw, I don't think I can move on with the marriage. He went as far as telling the girlfriend that I have been his wrong & i beat her up almost everyday. I was so disappointed & I called off the marriage.. and you can text, call or whatsapp him on +15177981808 or +19782951763

Load More Replies...
dinosaurm1911 avatar
CaptainDinosaur
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I make corrugated boxes for a living. (We NEVER say that c-board word) It does my heart good to see the seemingly innocuous things I manufacture everyday become more than just a box that stuff comes in. I mean, cat tanks?! Outdoor offices?! Very cool for me, because making that stuff is how I feed my kids. Love it.

michel_2 avatar
Marcellus the Third
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mind boggles somewhat by these people, for whom 'shade' is a revolutionary brand-new concept?! Anyway what it doesn't explain is how to win against the cat inevitably occupying the box already.

jackstevens avatar
MiraiJack
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even better idea, don't work in the sunlight with your computer.

gamingworld avatar
Gaming world
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

haha wow..you know i caugh one of my girl sitting in garage and watching her mobile.

gistnobs avatar
gist nobs
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just make sure you leave room for air to flow around/under/behind the laptop so it doesn't cook itself. Gistnobs

brettconnor avatar
Brett Connor
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

It looks like a mental health problem. Why do you need to be on the computer outside unless you're actually making an income. Computers and Cell phones have destroyed everything that makes us human individuals.

carolynparker avatar
CParks
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They're obviously doing work from home etc. Your comment looks like a mental health problem!

Load More Replies...
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