From: nimouat@napier.waterloo.edu (Nikos Mouat)
Subject: Re: Working on the road
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 05:14:50 GMT

In article <1992Jul23.172601.27877@wpi.WPI.EDU>, ruhleder@wpi.WPI.EDU (Karen Ruhleder) writes:
> In article <BrtnJp.IDF@undergrad.math.waterloo.edu> nimouat@leibniz.waterloo.edu (Nikos Mouat) writes:
> 
> >> happen.  Why can't you have people who live in RVs, driving here and there
> >> around the country now and then, setting up temporary residences in
> >> parks etc, and working over their computer.  Maybe once a year they go
> >> to a big meeting in a company headquarters, etc.
> >> 
> >> Possible?
> 
> Sure, but see comments below.
> 
> >     So why can't I get a job like that?
> >
> >     Seriously, it would take a _heck_ of a lot of changing of management
> >attitutes for this to happen. Sure, I'm _at least_ 5 times more productive
> >working at home in my own environment, with the sterio on loud etc. etc.
> 
> But would you be more productive over time? 
     This really depends on the individual. Myself, I prefer to work on
a project in overdrive, not stopping untill I finish. (Last night I was in 
the computer lab for a good 18 hours straight doing a Computer Science 
assignment [finished a good 30 minutes before the due date].)
     At work I find myself taking small bites out of a project every day,
and I find working on it all at once (even if it be for an entire week at
once) alot more fun, and effective. Sure you burn yourself out for a couple of
days, but then [at least I] feel ready to do it all again. I really can't
do this in a working environment, I like to work-work-work-work-eat-work-sleep-
work-work-work-sleep, not sleep-take long bus ride-work-eat lunch-work-take
long bus ride-sleep. 
     When I work at home, I find myself completely absorbed in what I'm doing.
I can't generally do this at work because I'm really not comfortable in an
office building.
 
> I find that what I work on,
> even if most of what I do is done individually, is still a part of a larger
> whole, and part of my "job" and "what I do" comes from talking over things
> with people, seeing how they approach similar problems, asking if they've
> done anything like this before.  I learn a lot just from "hanging out" at
> work and talking to people, and I like to think they learn from me.  My
> employer doesn't just hire me to poke at some buttons in isolation, but to
> contribute to a larger environment and culture.  And, ultimately, I am
> responsible not only for getting "X" done, but for making sure it fits with
> the other pieces that surround it, either technically or conceptually.
> 
     Are we not 'hanging out' right now (on USENET)? Sure, there is a fairly 
large difference between actually talking, and typing. But perhaps the
future will provide use with means for better personal and group comunication.
(Okay, scatch the 'perhaps')
But I have still learned alot by regularly reading certain newsgroups and
e-mail correspondance.
 
> Now about wearing suits...  I think better in jeans, no doubt about it, which 
> is what I'm wearing at this moment.
> 
> kr.
     Fortuantely for me, the company I will be working for come sept. is 
liberal enough to allow employees to dress how they feel comfortable (Except
for extremes.... I don't think my plans to dye my hair blue in Jan. will go over
too well with my Boss)

Nikos.