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37% of jobs in the United States can be performed entirely at home

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Re: 37% of jobs in the United States can be performed entirely at home

#111

Post by pc86 »

Cederfjard wrote: post #92
mwattsun wrote: post #67

5 of us wrote Microsoft Works for the Macintosh while working at home from 1984 to 1992. Without the internet, we got together as needed to merge code, usually once a month, but sometimes once a week. We talked on the phone. We went to Microsoft once in awhile. It was ideal and worked very well. Maybe it was just our personalities that made it work, but I am astonished that any programmer would rather go into the off…

Some people also don’t have living conditions at home that are conducive to being productive. Not everyone can afford the space to have a proper home office, for example.

Absolutely correct. Any everyone's situation is different, but let's be real - the vast majority of software engineers can afford a great home office space.

Re: 37% of jobs in the United States can be performed entirely at home

#113

Post by onemoresoop »

UnpossibleJim wrote: post #45
onemoresoop wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's the thing, remote working decreases the reliance on cars to some extent and not for everybody. Yes, cars are still used for transportation. In some urban settings public transportation is an option. I live in NYC and never owned a car not only because I rely on public transportation but it's a complete pain in the neck with parking, unwanted tickets and high cost for insurance.

For every one of you, how many people are priced out of living in the city and have to drive to a parking lot to take the train in, or want their kids to have some semblance of a yard so they live in New Jersey and do the same?

It's true and it's their choice of course. If I lived in NJ I'd surely own a car too. Sometimes I wish I had a car, especially on weekends so I and my family can do some outings but it's so expensive and cumbersome in NYC.

Re: 37% of jobs in the United States can be performed entirely at home

#114

Post by Apocryphon »

tonyedgecombe wrote: post #19
warning26 wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If only there were some way to transport people that wasn’t cars!

If only there was some way to live near work.

Yea, if only housing prices were reasonable in any major U.S. metropolitan area right now where tech companies are located.

Re: 37% of jobs in the United States can be performed entirely at home

#115

Post by odonnellryan »

mwattsun wrote: post #67

5 of us wrote Microsoft Works for the Macintosh while working at home from 1984 to 1992. Without the internet, we got together as needed to merge code, usually once a month, but sometimes once a week. We talked on the phone. We went to Microsoft once in awhile. It was ideal and worked very well. Maybe it was just our personalities that made it work, but I am astonished that any programmer would rather go into the off…

It took me 1-2 years before WFH didn't make me depressed. I enjoy it now but I understand.

Re: 37% of jobs in the United States can be performed entirely at home

#116

Post by tfigment »

cecilpl2 wrote: post #88
mwattsun wrote: post #67

5 of us wrote Microsoft Works for the Macintosh while working at home from 1984 to 1992. Without the internet, we got together as needed to merge code, usually once a month, but sometimes once a week. We talked on the phone. We went to Microsoft once in awhile. It was ideal and worked very well. Maybe it was just our personalities that made it work, but I am astonished that any programmer would rather go into the off…

This is fascinating to me! How did you manage to merge code in the 80s? What tools were available? Did you have three-way merge tools or did you do it more manually? Or rather did you talk frequently and ensure that you weren't stepping in each other's files? How did you make changes to shared APIs?

I would assume RCS and floppies. CVS later. That is what my company apparently used in that era.

Re: 37% of jobs in the United States can be performed entirely at home

#117

Post by turtlebits »

sharemywin wrote: post #20
paulcole wrote: post #5

100% of the jobs I want to do can be performed entirely at home, but I prefer to do 100% of them in an office.

Not trying to be sarcastic. I genuinely asking. Why? I'm not a fan of the office because: 1. I don't like the commute 2. I have an office in my house, but at the "office"; I would be sharing some kind of space. 3. now that covid is less of an issue I plan on going to lunch more with freinds.

Not everyone has a bad commute.

Distinct place where I don't have the distractions of home. (ie feel the need to clean, fix, things)

Much nicer environment - way more open space / natural light, great air quality, views, amenities.

Re: 37% of jobs in the United States can be performed entirely at home

#118

Post by pc86 »

silisili wrote: post #95
stevenhubertron wrote: post #63

I don’t hate working in an office. I hate working in an “open plan” office where someone is always interrupting my work.

Same. Seems not too long before people started really hating offices, offices started being designed to make you hate them. Open offices, no walls, 'island concept' which sounds all fun and tropical until you learn it just means you no longer even have your own desk. If companies want people back in offices, make them enticing. Have perks! Imagine everyone getting their own room, with a nice desk and maybe small couc…

I agree with everything you said but how is "free daycare" something small? Daycare costs thousands of dollars and the regulations and licensure are (rightfully) a very high bar. I would see free daycare as a huge perk and I don't even have kids.

Re: 37% of jobs in the United States can be performed entirely at home

#120

Post by trentnix »

WillPostForFood wrote: post #55
kreeben wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why not?

"Can" doesn't tell you if the job is done better or worse, happier or unhappier.

Exactly. I work remote. I am fully planning to work remote for the rest of my career. But I can imagine a number of scenarios where camaraderie, productivity, confidentiality, and quality of work are improved by having people in close proximity.

So I understand why some companies and teams bias toward everyone working in an office. And my choice to work at home will prevent me from being hired at those places. I'm blessed there's plenty of work available for everyone, remote or not.

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