The Sun Media Newspaper Chain - Dec 23/98
Home for Christmas....and the rest of the year
by Bob Fortier

Yikes, Christmas is almost here! If you're like me, and have left much of your gift buying till the last moment, you may find some ideas here for the work-at-homers and teleworkers on your list.

With home-office tools and toys more powerful and cheaper than ever, here's how you can play Santa and deliver joy and happiness to your favourite work-at-homer.

Scanners: Improved quality and ease-of-use, combined with never-before-seen prices make scanners a terrific value. For under $200 you can get a scanner that is fast as well as easy to use and set up. One example, Agfa's SnapScan EZ, outputs quality scans at 600 by 1,200dpi. Another is IBM Canada's IdeaScan.

Ergonomic chairs: A fully adjustable ergonomic chair for home-office use is one of the best gifts you can give. Not only can it improve productivity and keep you fresh longer, but it can also help prevent injuries, strain and stress. Expect to pay between $100 to $200.

Keeping finances in order: Quicken's new Home and Business 99 gets our nod as a powerful, deep, and easy-to-use financial management and accounting package. Around $80 after mail-in rebate.

Faster Internet Access: The Wave --high-speed cable Internet access from Rogers and Shaw Cable (www.wave.ca) can deliver Internet speeds up to 100 times faster than a 28.8 modem. With cable, you won't need a second phone line for your Internet, because it uses your existing TV cable. Bell Global Solutions' new 1-Meg Modem (www.sympatico.ca) can deliver Internet speeds of up to 30 times faster than a 28.8 modem and allows simultaneous use of phone and Internet on same line. While both options are slightly more expensive than traditional Internet access, the increased speed may be worth it.

Remote control: For connecting between computers in different locations, say, from home to office, remote access software is the ticket. Symantec's new pcTelecommute is a nice application that can run remote-office applications from home, keep track of almost all that you do on your computer, and record the time spent on individual files etc. It can send and receive faxes from your PC, look up a phone number in the company directory from home, and if you have caller ID, it can screen incoming calls. Cost is about $165.

Virus protection: Norton AntiVirus 5.0 from Symantec is not only a superb deal, but is one of the best antivirus packages around and sells for around $64, minus a $28 rebate if you are upgrading from a previous version.

A subscription: A year's worth of one of the work-at-home magazines is a wonderful way to keep up to speed on the latest work-at-home trends. Among the best are Telecommute Magazine (www.telecommutemagazine.com) which is a great monthly magazine for teleworkers and telemanagers, and costs US$34.95. Canadian Telework Association members get $10 off. Another magazine is Home Office Computing Magazine (www.hoc.com) which nicely covers a full array of work at home issues for both SOHO workers and teleworkers. The cost is US$29.97 a year.

Inkjet printers: Inkjet printers cost less up front than laser printers, print in excellent colour, and render often superb black and white quality. You can beat the high cost of replacement inkjet cartridges by refilling them yourself. HP's Deskjet 720c is a flexible, dependable and easy-to-use printer that delivers eight pages per minute in black and four pages per minute in color. Costs around $400.

Telephone headsets: Look ma, no hands! Telephone headsets are my personal favourite home office tool. Headsets increase productivity by freeing up both hands, leaving you free to work while on the phone. Also, by not cradling the phone between the ear and shoulder, neck, shoulder and back pain are reduced. Mine has a 10 ft. cord, which allows decent freedom of movement. One example is Bell's new HT 100 headset now on sale for $59.95 at Phonecentres. Another model to check out is the Plantronics SP05, which costs around $130 for the complete package. Some of the higher-priced, cordless models allow greater freedom of movement.

Voice-recognition software: This beam-me-up-Scotty software frees you from your keyboard and allows you to speak into a microphone and see your words on the screen. Not only fun, but it can improve productivity and reduce repetitive strain injuries. While not yet perfect, this software is highly intelligent and gets better as it learns your personal vocabulary. Well-known brands usually come with a microphone and include IBM's Via Voice 98 Office Edition (approx. $140). Another is Dragon Systems Naturally Speaking which you can buy as a stand alone for approx. $140, or, if you want a really great deal, it comes bundled with the upgrade version of Corel WordPerfect Suite 8 for around $200.

Personal organizers: At around $500, the Palm III from 3Com is not cheap. But what a toy! This puppy is highly intelligent for its small size, and can perform a multitude of tasks such as holding 6000 addresses, five years of appointments, 1500 to-do items, 1500 memos and 200 emails.

As a final note, keep your receipts in case of any mismatches.

The Sun Newspaper Chain - Dec16/98
15% of Canadians work at home
Tools of the Trade by Bob Fortier

The work-at-home trend growing is faster than Jack's beanstalk. Some 15% of Canadian workers work at home, and that should double in the next few years. Whether you're thinking about working at home or want to bring your existing office to 'the next level', you can spend a small fortune on a home office set up. However, by carefully doing your homework, choosing function over form, and acquiring some of your gear second-hand, you might be able to do it for $1000 or less if you are a teleworker and your employer provides some of the equipment.

However, it's likely that your local zoning bylaws don't allow working at home. That's because most were written before this trend became so popular. But, not to worry. Chances are you won't be bothered too much as long as you don't make noise or cause disruption with too many visitors, parking and traffic disruption, and signage. You might want to contact your municipal government first, though.

Insurance is also an important consideration. If you are self-employed, you should consider home business insurance which will provide coverage for theft, loss or damage, and possibly liability claims.

Location, location, location: The best location for your home office is usually a quiet, dedicated room, with a door you can close. Since that's not always possible, a shared room, such as a bedroom or living room, will do. In arranging your set up, be mindful of doors, windows, wallplugs, and phone jacks.

Office space and furniture: We recommend a solid and practical desk, with the best chair you can afford. Set them up ergonomically (more on that in a future issue), with bright and shadow-free lighting -- your body, wrists and eyes will thank you, and you'll stay fresher and more productive for longer.

Practice safe computing: Without protecting your data from spikes, viruses, theft, malfunction, hackers, etc, your chances of a total data loss is almost guaranteed. It's just a question of time. Here's what you can do. Get a good surge protector to prevent damage due to power spikes. Get and use a good antivirus program such as Norton AntiVirus, or McAfee VirusScan. Regularly backup your data using something like a Zip drive or a second removable hard drive. Store both of these in a separate location. To keep your system tuned, run your scandisk often.

Hardware: Computers have never been more powerful, or cheaper. Whether your company provides the equipment, or you need your own, do your homework and try to get equipment that matches your needs. If you can, get more power than you need to delay the 'obsolescence factor'. Line up access to good service, either with the store that sold the equipment, or with a good technician. If you can afford it, get the largest monitor and smallest dot pitch you can afford. You will stay awake longer, and save your eyes.

Printer: Depending on the type of work involved you may need a printer. Laser printers cost more up front, but are faster, render better quality and cost less in the end. On the other hand, inkjets cost less up front, do great colour, and some models render great black and white quality. You can beat the high cost inkjet cartridges by refilling them yourself.

Software: If all you need is a word processor, fine. However, if you need more, an office suite combines several programs. The best include Corel WordPerfect Suite 8 (Canadian-owned and inexpensive) and Microsoft Office 97. Both include web browsers. If you often arrange meetings, track email and contacts, get a Personal Information Manager such as Outlook, Maximizer, ACT and Goldmine.

Fax: Not everyone needs a fax, but if you do, you can choose between a stand-alone fax machine; a multi-function machine (printer, fax, scanner, and printer); using your computer to fax; and the relatively new Internet faxing services. Each has pros and cons.

Remote access: For connecting between computers in different locations, say, from home to office, remote access software is the ticket. Symantec's pcAnywhere or its new pcTelecommute offers remote control of your programs.

Internet Service Providers: Unless you can remotely access your employer's Internet services, to browse the Internet, send and receive email, you need an ISP. Your choices include, from slower to faster, a regular modem connect to your ISP, ISDN, ADSL, or cable modems, such as The Wave.

Phone system: Depending on your needs, and need to economize, two phone lines are a great solution to busy signals if you fax or browse. (Though the Wave negates the needs for a second line for Internet use). Also it allows a line dedicated for business calls. Of all my phone office tools, my telephone headset is my personal favourite. It frees up my hands to do other things while I'm on the phone, and keeps my neck pain free.

Online Resources:

• The Computer paper

• Home Office Computing: http://www.smalloffice.com

Sun Newspaper Chain - Nov 18/98
Flexibility in personal lives...
Telework: A way of keeping key workers
by Bob Fortier

The results are in and here's the bottom-line: Teleworking works. In the last few weeks countries around the world have all launched initiatives to promote teleworking -- employees working at home.  The Americans had theirs Oct. 28, Canadians held theirs last Nov. 4 (www.ivc.ca/td1.html) and in Europe they liked the idea so much they spent a week celebrating European Telework Week from November 2-6.

In Canada one of the dozens of initiatives showcased was a distance learning/telework initiative in Nelson, BC, which helps find telework jobs for unemployed forestry workers to do at home. Another is in Wakefield, Que., where teleworkers beat the commute by working at "Resort to Work", a unique alternative officing/business center situated on the banks of the Gatineau River.

The success has attracted strong support from all levels of government leaders. Their messages touched on what makes telework so desirable on the macro level: Canadian global competitiveness, employment opportunities; energy savings; reduction of traffic congestion; improvement of air quality; and climate control and environmental health. They also spoke about benefits at the family and personal level: Giving workers the flexibility to make decisions on balancing their work and personal lives.

Many national figures seem to recognize the role of telework in the information revolution. As Minister of Industry John Manley said: "The economic and social advantages of teleworking are core to our ability to transform our society into a knowledge-based economy, from the convenience of home."

Newfoundland Development and Rural Renewal Minister Beaton Tulk saw another vital potential role for telework: "Many of our best and brightest have had to move away. Telework holds the possibility of allowing skilled people to work where they want to live, rather than having to uproot themselves in pursuit of work."

"If a lot more people teleworked like this, we could significantly reduce rush hour traffic, and probably save lot of tax dollars by delaying infrastructure development," added Calgary's acting mayor, Jon Lord, who teleworked on Telework Day.

Corporate leaders also see benefits: Corel Corp CEO Michael Cowpland said: "Opportunities for Telework will be increasing rapidly now that communication costs are plummeting. This will be great news for reducing traffic and pollution." "Bell wholeheartedly endorses the concept of telework and the numerous benefits it brings to Canadian companies and employees," said Bell Emergis President Jim Tobin.

On Telework Day, EKOS Research released some truly significant findings, part of a study of several thousand Canadians in "one of the most comprehensive efforts to date relating to the information highway, underlying attitudes, and behaviour within Canadian households." Key findings of this study are:

• 55% of Canadian employees want to telework, and over the next year, 29% expect to telework at least some of the time. Looking further into the future, 63% expect to telework.
• A full 33% of employees would rather telework, even on a part-time basis, than get a pay raise of up to 10%. Furthermore, 43% would switch jobs if another employer offered them an equivalent job, but allowed them to telework.
• 77% of Canadian employees believe that new technology is making working at home more possible than in the past. Over 50% of Canadian employees feel that their jobs are at least partially teleworkable.
• Employees see the positive impacts from working from home as far outweighing the negative impacts, especially with respect to finances, family life, time pressures and working hours.
• Most work part of the week at home, and part in the office. This is consistent with other telework studies, and addresses the issues of staying in the loop, preventing isolation, loneliness, and avoiding being out of sight and out of mind. Working in both locations also helps acclimatize teleworkers, telemanagers and office-bound colleagues to the art of telework.

"These are the kinds of findings which are hard for employers not to notice," says Frank Graves, President of EKOS. "They might make many of them pay closer attention to telework and see it as a strategic way to recruit or hold on to key employees." Graves adds: "Even if we were to discount the numbers significantly, we are still talking about a sizeable number of employees who could be lured away to another company or would be willing to trade off pay increases. We are also talking about employees who for the most part are satisfied with their jobs."

It would seem that those employers who dismiss telework out of hand, or say that it "just does not apply in my organization" had better look again, before they find that their best people have "voted with their feet."