Working From The Basement

If I was to think of one thing that changed for me this year it was being able to do more work while mobile.  I’ve had a laptop forever and different versions of Smart Phones over the years, but this year I bought an Iphone and a Netbook.  The Iphone for me has finally given me hope for mobile applications, it’s not that others haven’t tried; Microsoft has had PDAs and Smart Phones out for a long time now.  Microsoft failed in both the execution of the user interface and the ease of installation and use.  Apple redefined the process by enforcing a strict developer’s approval process and being able to buy, install and update the applications on the phone without ever having to have to hook it up to a computer.  Apple’s mobile applications are bringing new life into the software development market by making native client applications cool again.  This strategy has been proven now by the fact that more Smart Phone providers are jumping on the mobile applications band wagon.

I use my Iphone for the simple things such as email, calendar and other kinds of messaging, but I also use it for more advanced activities.  I can now monitor my clients Servers and workstations directly from the Iphone and document network layouts and hardware locations easily.  Notice I used the word easily, because I have done it in the past just not with the consistency I have in the last 6 months.

The Netbook allows me to throw an inexpensive computer in the car that I can use to do most everything else that I can’t do on the Iphone.  These small notebooks aren’t the best to use as your everyday computer, but when you need to do something in a hurry they fit the bill perfectly.  So if you occasionally have to leave the basement and still do some work consider looking at one of the newer Smart Phones.