Cardboard book stand for a standing compute station

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I often have very, very little time to devote to personal computer projects. Having a dedicated space with everything set up makes it much more likely that I’ll be able to squeeze in a 10-20 minute session.

I am using a paper book for learning and an installation of Alpine Linux with no graphical interface installed to make this a zero-distraction workstation. See also Why I Read Technical Books.

Furthermore, I sit too much for my day job already. So I try to stand for as many activities as I can when I’m off work.

This is the top of the tall, thin dresser I use in the bedroom. It has just enough room for this 11-inch laptop, but the only way to also display a technical book at the same time is to have it above the laptop screen.

I made the bookstand as one big wedge. It is flat against the wall in the back and angles on the front surface so that the wedge angle matches the natural position where I set the laptop screen when I’m standing at it.

This is a heavy technical book, so I made sure to create angled bracing integrated into the sides (secured with packing tape) and below the book (secured with hot glue).

The book is held open with two cardboard "clips", which are simple pieces with cut-outs at the bottom that fit over the top of the book and top of the stand. Since this particular stand holds the book flat, I close it after use to keep from destroying the spine.