Re: Telecommuting???

David Gibbs wrote:
> 
> Folks:
> 
> I'm interested in peoples experiences with Telecommuting for AS400
> developers.
> 
> Has anyone tried using a VPN via the Internet to folks homes?
> 
> Is a 28.8/33.6 dialup connection enough for a developer to be
> effective?  Is an offline source editor necessary?
> 
> TIA!
> 
> david
> --
> 
> David Gibbs
I do it quite a bit. Either from home using 33.6 running Netsoft router
and emulator, on the road I usually use a client't Thinkpad with a
variety of PCMCIA modems in the 14.4-28.8 range. Also use Netsoft here
to. home is a 586-133, TPs are Pentium 75 and 100 with 16 meg in all. OS
is DOS6.22 and Win3.1.

Response is acceptable, but we are not using any graphic intensive stuff
(Ultramedia, Imaging, etc.) File transfer is used, and while it is
slowerr, you can always flip to an emulator session and keep on working.

An available voice line is a must, as is some way to reset modems on the
AS/400. Our modems are attached to an ASCII WSC, with live operators
7x24, so we can have them reset modems. Every site seems to have modems
that go flaky after a while. I routinely cycle the power on modem racks
weekly, if possible. Problem seems worst when their is a high volume of
dial-up traffic. Have installed remote phone operated switches in some
lights out data centers. Allows the modem rack to be reset remotely.

I have found that the lack of distractions at home allow for greater
productivity. I would guess about 10-15%. Critical to success though, is
the ability to communicate with your users, both verbally and through
e-mail. Any requests must be responded to promptly. Let people know you
are there, and that their request will be dealt with in a particular
time frame.

I do not work exclusively from home. I often use my clients' offices and
equipment. Often I will use the office at home to finish up a day's work
from the house. THis allows flexibility for the family duties.:) 
-- 
Bob Larkin
Larkin Computer Consulting
blarkin@wt.net
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