5 Essentials for the Mobile Web Worker
May 2nd, 2008 (4:00pm) Samuel Dean 10 CommentsTweet This
Many web workers are nomadic with their work. I certainly am, and I try to constantly collect tools for making this working lifestyle a little easier. In this post, I’ll round up five good ways to go about this.
Online Storage. I continue to be surprised by how few web workers I know make use of ADrive. Unlike the many providers of free online storage that give you one to five gigabytes of capacity, ADrive offers 50, which is nothing to sneeze at. If you store key files online, you get the peace of mind that goes with being able to access them from anywhere.
Public Wi-Fi Security Tools. All you need are a few simple tools, such as a free VPN software application and a firewall to keep your public hotspot sessions secure. Here’s an inventory of the easy tools that can keep you safe.
Hassle-Removing Sites. A few online sites do a fantastic job of making life easier for the traveling web worker. Check out some good ones here.
Consider a Super Lightweight Subnotebook. Even though I’m happy with the Lenovo ThinkPad x40 computer that I use a lot of the time while on the go, I’ve become a fan of the Asus Eee PCs. I have a small, Linux-based Eee PC that is under two pounds, and I often prefer it for, say, writing on the go. These can be had for under $400–worth considering as a second portable computer.
USB Thumb Drive. I’ve written before about useful applications to keep on a USB thumb drive. I have one in my pocket at all times, and you can get 32GB of capacity for very little money. If you investigate this idea, check out PortableApps. It lets you get scads of good open source software titles on your USB key in one download.
Do you have any good tips for mobile web workers?
Web Work 101: How To Escape The Cubicle
For online storage I use my .Mac iDisk, with 10 GB, because it syncs so easily with my mac.
My web host (Powweb) offers a lot of GB’s too: 300 for a standart account. Not bad at all!
Right now, there aren’t enough mobile devices in use to warrant substantial investments in designing and implementing specialized services, so mobile users have to suffer through repurposed content. Unfortunately, this is a chicken-and-egg problem, because the use of mobile devices will remain limited until more specialized services are available.
To succeed, mobile devices must feel like an extension of your main machine: they must provide what’s required, but no more, and add the ability to reach home and grab anything you need but didn’t bring. Developers need to rethink applications and base them on a new task analysis that’s strongly situated in the mobile context and the moment of use.
[Laptop] mobile users are a bit different than those of us in the tablet/smartphone variety. Our needs might be a bit different but overlapping:
- removable memory card with automatic backup software
- remote security application (SIM and device wipe/locking, etc.)
- external (bluetooth) keyboard
- Proporta and/or Solio battery pack
Like the previous poster, depending on the type of mobility, the needs of software will be different. Some web apps adjust better than others, but there will need to be more attention paid to tablet/smartphone-type accessibility as well as the laptop/notebook users.
One thing that I have found that is really invaluable is Hamachi https://secure.logmein.com/products/hamachi/vpn.asp?lang=en
I have it setup to run as a service on my development server and I have the client running on my M-Series Gateway Laptop, so no matter where I am I can connect securely to my development environment. It’s also production ready. I have set this up for a number of clients that use it to run Client/Server Applications remotely.