IT Reference Posters?

bighead314 asks: "Maybe I haven't had enough coffee, or my brain power has gone down while working through my lunch break, but I cannot seem to find a good source for getting command/syntax reference posters for our office. We are looking for some SQL, UML, Oracle 10, and other reference posters to plaster on the walls for quick reference. However, the search for a site/company that sells more than just one poster has yielded nothing. Anyone out there have some good links or know of places were these can be purchased without having to buy 10 accompanying SQL Server magazine subscriptions just for the insert?"

Do It Yourself Suggestion

[eldavojohn]

You know, the best method I've used to come up with what you're looking for is to just use a search engine and either blow up what you find or post it as normal size or put it in a binder that's always available. You can find some nice PDFs here [digilife.be] if you want to take that route or you can look all over the place [bluewin.ch] and mix/match. I personally only print out those I find myself using over and over again.

If you absolutely just want high quality print and don't have time to do this yourself, just visit Learn & Thrive [learnandthrive.com] which, to my recollection, has some decent sized posters available. They don't have the very particular kinds of posters you're asking for but then again, I don't know anybody who would do Oracle 10 specifically.

My suggestion is to get a high quality PDF from those first two links and just blow it up and have it laminated at Kinkos. Cost? Probably a lot less then buying something online.

If you really really want to do it yourself, I would suggest using The Gimp [gimp.org] (or your favorite image editor) to capture images and text and make your own 'cheat sheet' with everything specific to where you work that would be pertinent. Share it with everyone else if you do and make sure to export as a high quality file format. Have it printed and keep it updated and specific to your workplace. If it's worth that much for productivity, you can probably convince your boss that the ROI is there for your time and money to get them printed.

Posters?

[humungusfungus]

Um, I would suggest more coffee :)

DYI. You could start by finding simple online references (there are few languages that don't have a s**tload).
Then:

1) Print them yourself. It would take very little time to compile your own command list with exactly what you want from online documentation. Lay it out using your favourite word processor, burn it to CD or write to floppy/USB key, take it to your local print house and get them to blow it up to a poster. You can even get them to laminate it. Done.

2) Do the same as above, but don't bother with print. Compile the references and post them on an internal webserver (or just stick them on your desktop). Cheaper, less time spent craning your neck to look at something on the wall.

By far and away the easiest, and most cost/time-effective:

3) Simply bookmark the online references. This also has the advantage of providing more than just syntax; you get full documentation, examples, etc.

Then spend your money on some whiteboard for your walls. Better, get some inspiring artwork.

cheers

visibone.com

[MaggieL]

There's also some very nice stuff at http://visibone.com/ [visibone.com]

The value of whiteboards can't be overstated, and on-line reference material is very helpful, but we don't all have multiple 36" monitors, and as Bob ("Mr. Visibone") Stein points out, "The easiest thing to find in your office will always be your wall".

ILoveJackDaniels.com

[OakDragon]

ILoveJackDaniels.com [ilovejackdaniels.com] has some in PDF format, although they are geared to ward LAMP stuff.

Re:Sounds like a business opportunity to me

[Usquebaugh]

Take a look at SparkNotes, Barnes and Noble stock them http://www.sparknotes.com/sparkcharts/ [sparknotes.com]

.net posters

[blowdart]

Actually there are .net framework diagrams, and they're cheaper than $20

.NET Class Libraries Reference Poster [amazon.com] : $5

Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Poster Pack [amazon.com] : $19.99 before discounts, but I've seen it given away when you buy 2 MS Press books.

Of course MS also supply class posters in the Visual Studio box, but in case you're using the Express editions you can download and print your own copy [msdn.com] from Bard Abrams' blog.

Network Reference Posters

[Fez]

While this doesn't help your SQL problem, there are some really nice Network/Security posters by Javvin [http]. I have their Network Protocols map up in my office and I was considering getting the network Security poster as well.

Perl 6 Fans

[triso]

Don't forget the Perl Periodic Table of the Operators at http://www.ozonehouse.com/mark/blog/code/PeriodicT able.pdf [ozonehouse.com]

Re:Marker Board Walls

[wik]

You can pick up whiteboard wainscoting at Lowes for $10 for a 3x4' panel. It's incredibly economical and of decent quality if you mount it properly.

I second this!

[cr0sh]

The value of whiteboards can't be overstated

Where I currently work, we have whiteboards hung on every wall of the office I share with another individual. We fill up and erase them constantly. They are great for jotting down ideas, notes, diagrams, flowcharts, doodles - you name it. We have a large "stock" of dry erase markers which are kept close at hand. In addition we keep rags, erasers, and white board "cleaning fluid" (alcohol) nearby as well.

Some other things to note:

DO NOT BUY YOUR WHITEBOARDS THROUGH AN OFFICE SUPPLY CHAIN. You will be ripped off. Go down to your local "big box" home supply warehouse (Lowes, Home Depot here in the States), and purchase melamine backer board. It comes in 4x8 foot sheets, and it very cheap compared to what you can buy elsewhere. It will be where plywood and particle board is located, and is used in bathrooms (I think for tiling). While it won't be as square or have any fancy alluminium edging, it is the same thing. When you are doing wall-to-wall installations of whiteboards, the cost difference will show itself. Hang it using drywall screws or liquid-nail style glues.

Finally, don't stick those extra large 3M "Post-It" brand flip-chart pages to the whiteboard for too long. The sticky gum they use tends to leave a residue that is VERY DIFFICULT to remove without copius amounts of cleaning fluid - and even then you have to throw away the rag (because then the dry erase will stick to the gum on the rag, and if you use the cleaning fluid again, you will smear the dry erase ink/cleaning fluid/sticky gum all over - making erasing the board a real chore, which will typically happen during a technical presentation - can you tell I have experience with this?)...