Drake Users - Dual Screens?

[AuditorTurnedGood]

All,
I'm wondering if any of the Drake users out there are using dual screens within the software, and how it's working. I know that some software, like UltraTax, allows you to see the input forms on one screen and the actual form outcome on the other - can that be done in Drake? It may sway me on dual monitors, and all the support told me was "yes, it supports dual monitors". Thanks!

ATG

[JohnH]

I can't answer your question about Drake specifically, but the ability to use dual monitors isn't controlled by the tax software - that's a feature made possible by your operating system. There's nothing special in ATX that enables this feature, either.

And I'll add that there are dozens of reasons to use two (or more) monitors - reasons that are entirely independent of the tax preparation function. Personally, I rate switching to dual monitors as one of the most productive steps I've ever taken, along with doiing everything possible to keep my clients out of my office (especially during tax filing season).

[zeros]

Dual Screen Advantages?

I am a one person office. What are the advantages for more than 1 screen?

[JohnH]

Here's an old thread on the subject. It ran for quite a while, and some of the info might be outdated, but there's lots of good info in it, IMO.

http://www.thetaxbook.com/forums/showthread.php?p=23879#poststop

[PIGLEE]

You might look at the Drake message board. I am sure the subject has come up there. I have two laptop computers and I have one on my desk, and one just to the left of my desk, on the desk breadboard. I put The Tax Book on it, and a backup copy of Drake and the Drake DDM, on it. I can do my work on the one laptop, and then look at last years return on the other laptop. This has been an easy solution for me. The laptop that I do the returns on I have attached a monitor to it so the client can see what I am doing on this years return. I have had no problems with the two monitors on the laptop.

One other benefit of this is I use the second computer as a backup computer. If anything goes wrong on my main computer, I can immediately start using the second computer. I have my main programs loaded on the second computer, and all my data backups are done to the second computer.

[superman]

Two screens

I just started using two screens and noww would never go back. I am like others by using a laptop which supports two moniters and it is great. Now it is easy to have two years returns up and able to referance back to last years return and see what the client had last year. This is the best advantage for me but I did wait to the off season to try it out to make sure that it would work for me. Try it you will be glad you did.

Superman

[JohnH]

Wait until you get addicted to the dual monitors - next thing you know you'll be wanting to add a third. Or else side-by-side computers, each with dual monitors (this is my preference). The possibilities are endless once the shift from one to the other becomes second nature.

[S T]

Dual Screens

I switched to dual screens a few years back and now I could not live without them. Actually thinking of adding a 3 or 4th monitor along with another computer that is linked.

Advantages, I can have email open, and the Tax Book, or onscreen reference material, or do an internet search, I can have current year Tax Program and review any documents that client sent by PDF (so I don't have to print) - saves paper and part of the paperless filing system, I can have current year Tax Program and a copy of last years Tax Return open

I can have multiple windows on each of the screens open at the same time

So many combinations and has kept part of the "paper copies to a minimum.

Sandy

[neallove]

Nl

Dual screen with Drake

I just plugged in the 2nd monitor and it followed the instructions and it worked without any hitch. It is terrific.

[AuditorTurnedGood]

Started using dual screens over the weekend. I don't know what stone age I've been living in, but I'm never going back. I got an 18.5" monitor (which I know is "small") as the primary and use my laptop's 15.4" as the secondary. things are SO much easier to read on a larger LCD display! Thanks for all the advice!

ATG

[dhawkcpa]

TV screen?

A CPA in my building uses a giant TV screen for his tax work. At first he had a 32" and after that got stolen he hot a 36". Does anyone use a big TV?

I used to use 2 19" monitors but then got a 24" monitor. It allowed me to see both this and last years tax programs without scrolling so I quit using two.

[gboykin]

I use Drake with Dual Monitors. Also paperless using Drake DDM. Drake works seamless with dual monitors. I use one monitor while working in the current year, and use the second monitor for the pdf of the prior year return for comparison. Also use the 2nd for internet searches, emails, etc. That way, I can have the current tax program dedicated to the first monitor.