My mobile office kit June 7th, 2007
Just thought I would share with you the kit I carry with me at all times. I have called it my "Mobile Office Kit" — it contains everything I need to remain connected regardless of the context or situation.
NETWORK CABLE – I carry a spare network cable so that should I find myself at a client site where my laptop is not furnished with a wi-fi hotspot I can still carry on business connected to the local network using the cable.
PHONE ON A STICK – I have included a phone on a stick for those times where I go to a restaurant and my mobile phone cannot find a network. I plug my phone on a stick into my laptop and use the local wi-fi hotspot to get out. I plug the phone on a stick into my laptop USB port and make phone calls via the wi-fi system.
POWER ADAPTOR — my power adapter suits my phone and my bluetooth handsfree (also included in the pack in case I need to make phone calls and use my hands on keyboard at the same time).
PORTABLE APPS ON USB STICK – the portable applications such as Abi Word, Open Office applications are all housed on a USB stick in case I cannot connect to a wi-fi hotspot with my computer, such as a client's office" but I do have a computer available offered to me by the client. This is where my portable apps come in handy so to keep all my data on my own appliance.
USB Extension cable – This is included in case the only USB port available on a clien't computer is only below the desk, crawling on hands and knees type of connection. The extension enables me to connect my USB devices up to 2-3 feet (1 meter) away.
BLUETOOTH DONGLE AND EARPIECE – If all else fails and I need to talk on a phone, I can insert my Bluetooth Dongle in a USB port and run my bluetooth handsfree adaptor along with Skype, Freshtel/Firefly softphone on my laptop or on a client's computer.
There we have it — a complete little kit to enable me to be phone and computer connected in a totally mobile office at my client's location, a restaurant, coffee shop, airport or the side of a road.