Setting up your workspace

A typical telecommuter can have a much easier time focusing on work if he or she creates a private, dedicated space for a home office that’s free from distractions and has easy access to everything needed for the job.

Choose a computer

With so many choices out there, deciding what computer or computers to buy can be daunting. Will you need a laptop computer to take on the road or into the office? How should you prioritize your requirements—by price, size, power, or speed?

• If you need some help assessing your needs, watch the videos How to choose a PC: Netbook, laptop, or all-in-one? and How to choose a laptop to help you narrow down the choices. And PC Scout, an interactive, online tool, can help by recommending a PC to meet your needs.

• See what’s being offered at Microsoft Store.

• Compare prices with the help of Bing Shopping.

• Visit a trusted computer store, and ask for their advice.

• Ask friends or colleagues who work at home to see which PCs they recommend.

Connect to the Internet

You need Internet access via a connection that is reliable and provides the speed you need at a rate you are willing to pay. You can use a DSL connection through your phone company, a broadband connection for high speed Internet through your cable company, or even a satellite connection (available at a higher cost but perhaps necessary if you’re in an isolated location). You’ll also need an Internet Service Provider, which may be the same company you use for the connection.

• What do I need to connect to the Internet?

• Set up and use the Internet at home

Set up a network

If you use multiple computers in your home, you will probably want to set up a home network so that, as you work online, you can have access to the same files wherever you are. You’ll need to make some initial decisions, including whether you want to set up a wireless network and, if so, how to set it up. The setup details depend on your Windows operating system:

• Windows 7

• Windows Vista

• Windows XP

If you want to set up a network between your home computer and your company computers, here are some technologies to help you.

• A virtual private network creates a secure connection, called a tunnel, between your computer and the server.

• Remote Desktop is a technology built into Windows that allows you to sit at a computer and connect to a remote computer in a different location. For example, you can connect to your work computer from your home computer and have access to all of your programs, files, and network resources—just as though you were in front of your computer at work.

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Communicating with your colleagues

A reality of telecommuting is that, with the elimination of the water cooler, you’ll need to work harder to keep in touch with your colleagues. Luckily, new technologies (and good communications skills) provide new opportunities for working with or even managing a virtual team.

Be available by phone

Make sure the people you want to hear from have your telephone number, and use a headset if you want to type as you talk. Consider call forwarding to your home or cell phone so that you receive calls wherever you’re working.

If your business takes you outside the home for periods of time, perhaps immediate access to your email and the Internet makes the purchase of a smartphone, like a Windows Phone, a good idea.

Read about telecommuting with Windows Mobile.

Try instant chat

Consider using an instant messaging (IM) program, such as Windows Live Messenger, to have quick, impromptu chats with one or more of your coworkers, in real time, over the Internet. IM also gives you a way to show and update your communication status throughout the day. For example, when you need a couple of hours of undisturbed concentration, set your status as "Busy" and let everyone know that you'll be slower than usual to reply to email messages and phone calls. With the use of a webcam, you can set up video chats and video conferences.

Here are some more possibilities:

• Make video calls around the world using Windows Live Messenger.

• Set up real-time meetings online, using services, such as Office Live Meeting, that let you connect with colleagues and customers through your web browser.

• Use a service like Campfire, which provides a permanent chat room where your team members can join you. Access the URL in your web browser.

Read about communicating effectively on virtual teams.

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