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Ask HN: How to organize work during blackout in winter?

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Ask HN: How to organize work during blackout in winter?

#1

Post by ivan_gammel »

I have a situation: one of my developers is now in Ukraine working remotely. She is in a relatively safe area near a nuclear power plant, which so far has not been targeted by Russian missile strikes and was producing electricity for her town. Today it was shut down, meaning also no water etc in her apartment. Local cellular network is still working, meaning that she has Internet connection.

For some personal reasons she is not ready to evacuate, I also do not want to terminate the contract if there’s a chance that she can work even in such difficult circumstances. We are getting used to the sound of air raid sirens during meetings, but this is new and we have to find a way to maintain the working process during the coming winter.

What would you do in this situation? What inexpensive technology can help here to survive this madness? Are there any advices that you would give?

Re: Ask HN: How to organize work during blackout in winter?

#2

Post by mytailorisrich »

Petrol generator or batteries bank. The former is not an option in a flat, though, but is the best option to withstand long electricity cuts. Neither are prohibitively expensive (at least in normal circumstances) but might be harder and harder to find.

Re: Ask HN: How to organize work during blackout in winter?

#3

Post by jareds »

mytailorisrich wrote: post #2

Petrol generator or batteries bank. The former is not an option in a flat, though, but is the best option to withstand long electricity cuts. Neither are prohibitively expensive (at least in normal circumstances) but might be harder and harder to find.

Keep in mind having a generator could make them an obvious target depending on how bad things get do to the fact that it will be obvious they are running one from the noise. I also assume fuel to run it could be a problem.

Re: Ask HN: How to organize work during blackout in winter?

#4

Post by mytailorisrich »

jareds wrote: post #3
mytailorisrich wrote: post #2

Petrol generator or batteries bank. The former is not an option in a flat, though, but is the best option to withstand long electricity cuts. Neither are prohibitively expensive (at least in normal circumstances) but might be harder and harder to find.

Keep in mind having a generator could make them an obvious target depending on how bad things get do to the fact that it will be obvious they are running one from the noise. I also assume fuel to run it could be a problem.

If things get so bad then there is no point discussing how to maintain work conditions and those involved need to make a decision about leaving the area or wishing the dev good luck.

Currently, my understanding is that the main issue in most of Ukraine is blackouts, not a breakdown of order or active fighting. Hopefully it will not worsen.

Re: Ask HN: How to organize work during blackout in winter?

#6

Post by ivan_gammel »

eimrine wrote: post #5

I have some doubt on idea of keep working under blackout conditions. One is not easy, to code when your body and toes are suffering from cold temperature. Maybe reducing the number of meetings can help her to use her batteries for some more important tasks.

We have pair programming sessions for working on important tasks.

Re: Ask HN: How to organize work during blackout in winter?

#7

Post by ivan_gammel »

jareds wrote: post #3
mytailorisrich wrote: post #2

Petrol generator or batteries bank. The former is not an option in a flat, though, but is the best option to withstand long electricity cuts. Neither are prohibitively expensive (at least in normal circumstances) but might be harder and harder to find.

Keep in mind having a generator could make them an obvious target depending on how bad things get do to the fact that it will be obvious they are running one from the noise. I also assume fuel to run it could be a problem.

Certainly not in that area. If active fighting will be even remotely close to that town we well try evacuation.

Re: Ask HN: How to organize work during blackout in winter?

#8

Post by LinuxBender »

For some personal reasons she is not ready to evacuate

I do not expect anyone to agree with my logic and I know this does not answer your question but the only responsible answer in my opinion would be to do what you can to help her get past the personal reasons.

Any technological answer anyone here could give would just make her a target. Satellite phone or computer terminal? Target. Generator? Target. Portable solar generator and panels? Target. In my opinion she needs to grab anyone and anything that can not be replaced and relocate. I would even further add that nobody should expect to go back to Ukraine for at least a decade based on historical patterns. Perhaps your company could expense and write-off her travel and first few months rent somewhere?

Re: Ask HN: How to organize work during blackout in winter?

#9

Post by eimrine »

jareds wrote: post #3
mytailorisrich wrote: post #2

Petrol generator or batteries bank. The former is not an option in a flat, though, but is the best option to withstand long electricity cuts. Neither are prohibitively expensive (at least in normal circumstances) but might be harder and harder to find.

Keep in mind having a generator could make them an obvious target depending on how bad things get do to the fact that it will be obvious they are running one from the noise. I also assume fuel to run it could be a problem.

That generator noise is very common in Ukrainian towns nowadays and fuel is not a problem any more. Getting a generator is a problem.

Re: Ask HN: How to organize work during blackout in winter?

#10

Post by isbvhodnvemrwvn »

ivan_gammel wrote: post #7
jareds wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Keep in mind having a generator could make them an obvious target depending on how bad things get do to the fact that it will be obvious they are running one from the noise. I also assume fuel to run it could be a problem.

Certainly not in that area. If active fighting will be even remotely close to that town we well try evacuation.

I'd imagine that's somewhere near Khmelnytskyi? Ukraine would have folded well before any fighting got there, Russians would need to either run a massive attack from Belarus or totally overrun Dnipro.
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