A friend asked recently how I check email while I travel. When she is home, she downloads emails to her desktop computer. When she travels, she takes a laptop computer and downloads new email files to her laptop. When she returns to her office at the end of the trip, she has trouble keeping her email files in order between her laptop and her desktop.

Several years ago, I consolidated my files into one computer instead of switching back and forth between a desktop and laptop. When I’m in my home town, I plug the computer to a full size screen, keyboard and speakers. When I travel, I take my laptop. Consolidating all my files into one computer minimizes travel related departure and arrival synching and eliminates email issues. And it’s cheaper than having two fully outfitted computers!

The view from our patio in Crown Court 44A, our rental villa

When we looked into an island getaway earlier this year, we wanted to work part of the time and vacation part of the time. To do that, we had to have a high speed Internet connection and a reliable phone line.

We set our sights on Bonaire, a small Dutch island in the southern Caribbean known for its relaxed ambiance and fabulous diving. It was difficult to plan our trip with certainty. Finding out what speed and type of Internet access was available at our hotel proved so challenging we gave up. A waterfront rental villa with high speed Internet access became available at the last minute and we decided to take our chances.

In the end, it all worked out. To our surprise and relief the cable modem Internet connection at the Crown Court 44A villa was great. It was fast enough for a VoIP, allowing us to use our Vonage phone line for U.S. and international phone calls.

After a week working at the villa, we moved to the Harbour Village Beach Club, a favorite spot, for our vacation. Although we were officially on holiday, we still had to connect to the Internet multiple times a day and check voicemail messages daily. The WiFi connection in our suite was weak. Phone calls with the VoIp were unreliable. After several attempts, we gave up and used our cell phones. Although the Internet connectio cut out intermittently during the day, we were able to connect well enough for essentials.

Overall, working remotely from Bonaire was a success made possible thanks to the excellent quality Internet connection at the rental villa. Staying in touch while at Harbour Village was a welcome bonus. Although next time we’d rather spend the entire time relaxing, it’s good to know we can work remotely again if we have to.

Click on the image to read about Paris

As access to high speed connectivity improves working remotely from Paris, France becomes easier and less expensive. Earlier this year we spent 19 days in a Paris rental apartment working remotely. With the good quality high speed access in the apartment we were able to remain connected 24/7.

We rented an apartment because it offered much more space than the typical hotel room, allowed us to prepare meals and experience Paris more like a local than a tourist. What the apartment lacked in facilities and services it made up for amply in location, comfort and convenience as well as connectivity and privacy.

This arrangement allowed us to enjoy the pleasures of Paris during our time off while working remotely. Email and Internet access in general were excellent. We made phone calls using our cell phone and U.S. VoIP service. An added bonus was that our service included free phone calls to certain countries in Europe, including France.

With the high speed connection and our Vonage VoIP account we were able to make extended phone calls to the U.S., including conference calls, and reach 800 numbers easily. Although at times the Internet connection was so poor we had to hang up, on many occasions we were able to check messages, have hour long conversations and work a full day with minimum inconveniences.

Belkin CableFree USB Hub*

In mid December 2006, Belkin was due to release in the U.S. a new wireless USB hub that allows connectivity between a computer and its USB peripherals, the CableFree USB Hub.  If it delivers as promised, the hub, priced at $199, could be a handy device for business travelers. We haven’t tried it yet but will be keeping an eye on it.

Described as the first wireless USB, it received Laptop Magazine’s Best of CES Award. It was one of eight recipients of the award.  

Last year, Belkin was scheduled to offer a four-port hub and dongle set to enable immediate high-speed wireless connectivity for any USB device without requiring software. The CableFree USB Hub promises desktop computer users the freedom to place USB devices, such as printers, scanners, hard drives, and MP3 players, anywhere in the room without running cables. Laptop users gain the freedom to roam wirelessly within a room while still maintaining access to their stationary USB devices.

The Belkin CableFree USB Hub also received the 2006 CES Popular Mechanics’ Editor’s Choice Award and the CNET Best of CES Award.

Belkin Corporation offers a diverse product mix for computer and consumer electronics users seeking integration in their homes, cars, and on the go. Founded in California in 1983, Belkin is a privately held company. 

*Photo: Businesswire

Tom Friedman’s book, The World is Flat presents some interesting concepts about the impact of technology on the future of our working world. By understanding the “flattening” of world through telework, opportunities are exposed that could not have existed even ten years ago.

The best example that I have seen is the outsourcing of the drive-up window at McDonalds. Because a specialized call center operator works in a quiet, non-distracting environment, they are better able to take an accurate order. There is now a company in Santa Maria, California that handles order taking for over 40 restaurants as far away as Honolulu. It is not hard to imagine that these operators are also more effective at “selling up” the clients and remembering to ask if “you want fries with that order” sitting in a quiet call center with the din of the restaurant around them.

Finding good opportunities for telecommuting and telework have been challenging for many who are interested in making their living this way. Perhaps they should try to think out of the box more and look for opportunities to apply “flat world” approaches to everyday problems. Having a successful model like McDonalds should inspire many who desire to start a business or telecommute rather than work from an office.