41–50 of 182 posts
And got 3 "office days" worth of work done.
And I haven't even brushed my teeth yet. :-)
You know what telecommuters say, "Once you've deployed a killer app in your pajamas, you can never go back."
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2202187
Had some interesting comments...
I see several comments saying more companies should be hiring remote workers, building their culture to support it, and why aren't they doing it? It's interesting to see the numbers in this article. What's remarkable is that, even after two years of flattish compensation, technology professionals are willing to sacrifice $7,800 on average to work from home The article speaks as if this is a huge amount, but as a chun…
And that's if you manage to live a mere half-hour from work, which in any major city is seriously unlikely.
If you're good at tech, why would you take a second job as an automobile driver for chump change?
I would love to do more remote work, but then I hear horror stories about people having problems not being around people. Feelings of isolation set in after a couple of months, and people end up going to a gig where they are around people. To those doing remote work, is this common?
It's definitely an issue, and one that can be difficult to overcome. Since I'm splitting my time between my full time job, and working on Appleseed almost full time in the off hours, the last year has been short on social interaction, and I've felt the effects. That Oatmeal comic really hit home a few months ago when I went to a party a few months ago and found myself feeling very socially awkward. Not nervous, just a little bit clueless about what to do and how to do it.
I'm a very social person, so it was a little bit jarring how quickly those skills could atrophy.
But there are remedies. Scheduling social time is important, and not seeing as "wasted" time, but an actually necessary task for your mental health. Working in coffee shops when you need to, going for walks when taking breaks, etc. And going to a co-working space once in a while doesn't hurt.
I have telecommuted for several gigs and positions. The most difficult situation to deal with is when most of the rest of the company doesn't telecommute, so everyone is not in the habit of cluing you in to what's going on. You may have all the tools required to establish and maintain decent communications, but they often don't bother to adopt any of it for their end. I even remote-developed for a large networking co…
This is sort of a no-brainer. I'm pitched by recruiters about once a week, and they're all for far away positions - typically SF area, but other areas too. I can't sell my house any time soon - the market just isn't moving - so I'm somewhat held hostage by geography. This doesn't mean that I can't travel onsite and visit your office regularly, nor does it mean skype and phone don't work out here in the sticks :) Tele…
Why can't you sell your house? Your house has already decreased in value, not accounting for the loss in your books doesn't make it more valuable.
I would love to do more remote work, but then I hear horror stories about people having problems not being around people. Feelings of isolation set in after a couple of months, and people end up going to a gig where they are around people. To those doing remote work, is this common?
In this, as in all things, your mileage will certainly vary. If you're a type-A people person, you should probably stick with a social context. Although (as elsewhere noted) you'd be surprised how much social interaction you can have online at home these days.
Of those that want to telecommute and have a steady job, very few can actually handle the responsibility and the lack of stimulus from co-workers for longer periods of time. Flexible hours, working from home on a regular basis, sure, no problem, but actual full time telecommuting requires a lot of commitment, discipline and communication skills.
I see several comments saying more companies should be hiring remote workers, building their culture to support it, and why aren't they doing it? It's interesting to see the numbers in this article. What's remarkable is that, even after two years of flattish compensation, technology professionals are willing to sacrifice $7,800 on average to work from home The article speaks as if this is a huge amount, but as a chun…