[Fall Internet World was postponed to mid-December, so I'll report on that in January 2002.]
Factors like companies changing locations, personal time demands, personal health, and organisations spreading their HR nets outside of their immediate geographic area, more and more people are working from home offices, part or full time. If this is something you are thinking about doing, are already doing, or are being forced into doing (!), here are some tips on tools you will need to be efficient worker. Note that your company's arrangement with you will determine who pays for these tools. If you're a consultant, then you might be providing your own cell phone, software, etc...
Hardware and Software
Make sure your hardware and software matches what is being used at the main workplace. Using a Commodore 64 while the company for which you work has the latest version of Windows tastes like a recipe for disaster. An experienced computer user can make different platforms work; however, this will be based on your industry, the files you tend to use, and your abilities. If you are not sure how to save your Macintosh files so that Windows users can easily open them, ask!!
You should have the system, peripherals, and software needed to complete your tasks. This means a good computer bought or upgraded recently, the right printer, scanner, external storage (Zip drive, CD burner), fax machine, and software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Quark Xpress, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat and/or Acrobat Exchange, email, Web browser, and instant messaging). A recent computer is mostly important with respect to its abilities to be fast and run the newer applications or a few of those at a time. You don't have to have the fastest chip on the market, but you may want to consider upgrading if you are still using that Pentium @ 266MHz!!
Internet Connection
If you are expected to send and receive large files, get yourself set up with cable Internet, DSL, or a fractional T1. Now is not the time to "deal with" the evil of your old modem or horrible internet company's busy signals. Someone who will not be sending and receiving large files, and is mostly using the Internet to keep up with supervisors and co-workers could possibly make do (for now) with a less impressive connection. If you do decide to keep dialing up to your internet company, then a dedicated line should be setup for that function. You do not want to be wrestling with family members or missing faxes or calls by sharing the line with other people or uses.
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