Home Office: to "Have" or "Not to Have?"

2014-03-29T17:13:31-04:00

Do you have or maintain a home office? If so, what are the associated 'pros and cons' in your opinion? Those that do: does it help productivity or help provide flexibility in any way? Do you have any 'tips, tricks, or resources' for those who'd like to set-up a home office? How does this impact the work/home life balance? Does it make things better or worse for you? How about those telecommuting/teleworking, this is likely a requirement, how have you approached the issue, and what 'lessons learned' can you offer the group? And those who don't have a home office... why? Perhaps too intrusive on family time, impedes overall productivity, or interferes with rest/down-time? This should be an interesting and informative discussion, so let's get things started; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2014 5:16 PM

2014-03-29T17:16:19-04:00

I work from home only with dealing with an SIR. It is nice to be able to work on this and nor have to go into the office. I just set up my laptop at the dinner table. I can still be @ family and do my job. However, if I have a lot of work to do, I go into the office as there are less distractions.

Response by 1SG Jason Fitzpatrick made Mar 29 at 2014 5:41 PM

2014-03-29T17:41:47-04:00

I have an old office chair and a roll top desk. I have tried the kitchen table and the coffee table in the living room...not good for the neck which is surgically repaired anyway.

I recommend getting an old GSA auction desk or spending the money on a decent desk and chair. Dont sit at the kitchen table or in the living room. I got an extra docking station from the office and hooked up a second monitor / television so that I can work from home with two screens and I have a keyboard and a mouse, attached to the docking station as well.

If you have a network or cloud based "Drive" that you can dump all your work into while at the office, as well as a way of getting behind the firewall from your home office, you are cooking with oil. That is what I do. I log into the network through a VPN and then I work from the house. the only thing that I can't do from my home office is go out and physically correct an issue at the office.

Response by SFC Benjamin Harrison made Mar 29 at 2014 9:42 PM

2014-03-29T21:42:35-04:00

I have had a home office since I first enlisted. This has actually reduced trips back onto base over the past few years. Now when i get an email on my blackberry, i can research everything from my den, and provide a reply all while i am bouncing my baby girl on my knee. <div><br></div><div>All one needs is the following:</div><div>1. Computer with internet access</div><div>2. CAC reader</div><div>3. Printer/Scanner/Copier </div><div>4. Enough knowledge to install all required software to run and access programs from AKO, .MIL Email account, and any other proprietary software needed for job function. One may also request help from their S-6 computer guru's who often love to show off their talents. </div><div><br></div><div>I do not know how I would act without my home office. </div>

Response by SFC Steven Harvey made Mar 29 at 2014 9:54 PM

2014-03-29T21:54:03-04:00

I have had a home office for the last 6 years. As SSG Harrison said, to honestly be called a home office for us in the military it takes a Mac/PC with the required software installed.

It saves a lot of time and helps keep things in order as opposed to using unit equipment. Unit laptops are also usually incredibly slow or being occupied. You don't have those problems with your own equipment.

I recently bought a Dell 17" laptop for 400 dollars, installed a Samsung EVO SSD and it will last for a long time. It took awhile to get it configured with AKO since it was Windows 8 but ultimately it was worth the trouble.

My current office has all of my coins, plaques, pictures, etc hung up with book cases of all of my books ranging from Desicison Points by GWB to the Ranger Handbook. I have around 40 in my collection hoping to get it to around 100 before I retire.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Mar 29 at 2014 10:03 PM

2014-03-29T22:03:43-04:00

I'm a little stuck here, Sir. Home office, ok. My home office is in my laptop. Its mobile, I can move around the house with it, I can remote into both work computers I have in New York wall street, and Harbor side New Jersey. I can remote update information, provision a computer, forward email to my personal account. I can communicate remotely into my work computer, with anyone around the world, setup there computers, on line, get sign offs, close data base data information, even communicate with supervisors and any other technicians remotely with out using a home phone.

Facts: while I have the tools to do all these things, with a family that is active and constantly in need or attention with favors, I'm afraid that for me a home office would have to be to something so personal like RP or perhaps testing a program or doing some form of study that if distracted I would not mind, but for work, I wouldn't do it :)

However every so often I do remote into work but for a very short time, just to plan out my next days activity. I figured that even though my son an almost 5 year old, with his own personal laptop (Lenovo X60), he is so into it that if something goes wrong with it, Daddy tech fixes it. I'm my home every one has there own laptop and if something goes wrong Guess who fixes it? if the wife wants something from the store guess who goes to get it? lol, me. I can't never work from home, but if I had a home office it would be one that is shared and perhaps I would only get about 3 square feet of space for my self alone. Then from 3 sq. feet to the closet then the closet gets share too, and oh well. My space becomes the laptop and what's inside only. It's where I run programs, its where I install programs it where I communicated if need to, its where I do everything I need to do in my profession, and it comes with me when my job calls to fixing computers or laptops that is more like a home business (privately in my own time).

Response by SFC Aaron Calmes made Mar 30 at 2014 6:08 PM

2014-03-30T18:08:29-04:00

I have a port replicator for the laptop I use both at work and home (a toughbook). It has an extra power cord so all I have to do is pop the laptop out of the dock at work and bring it home. I don't intend on working but it usually happens. Had a ConCall with my group commander yesterday morning and one with my CG and DCG next weekend. Beats going into the office just to use the phone.

Anything I can do at work I can do from VPN but with a lot faster Internet and no phone distractions.

Response by CPT Endre Barath made Mar 31 at 2014 6:57 PM

2014-03-31T18:57:50-04:00

Since I am a Greater Los Angeles Realtor, I live in my home office when I am not showing properties or previewing properties. I have Scanner, Printer, Fax Machine, Color Laser Jet Printer, Laptop and on the road and at home the Blackberry Bold ( I know I am old fashioned have not gotten the I-phone bug yet or I am fighting the inevitable)... Also high speed internet, land line and a room totally dedicated as my office. I love it save about 2-3 hrs. commuting time by rolling out of the sack and starting to work....almost hate to leave home our pets like me being home too.... Each equipment is top of the line. I only go to my office when there are meetings or a particular client is old school and wants to meet me in my office in Beverly Hills. The only drawback is I literarily have to get up once in a while otherwise I would be sitting for 12 hrs. or more without leaving the desk...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2014 8:25 AM

2014-04-01T08:25:53-04:00

Ultimately, I would like to have a home office, but I am in SSG Pabon's situation- I have everything I need loaded on my macbook pro and can effectively check email, work on presentations, and manage my calendar. I highly recommend it as it helps me to maintain a better work/life balance. I realize there are surge periods in jobs that require folks to work late, but I truly believe those should be the exception, not the rule (outside of deployments). I like being able to be home between 1830 and 1900, have a little dinner and some separation from the hustle, bustle, and overall drama in the office, then a few hours later, sit down with my laptop, a beverage, and something in the background and continue to refine a product or finish my correspondence for the day. Like many other people have said, all it requires is a computer, CAC reader, compatible CAC software, Microsoft Office, an internet connection, and a comfortable place to sit :) BTW- for anyone who wants Microsoft Office- recommend the Home Use Program (HUP), you can get fully copies of Microsoft Office for both PC and Mac for $10- way cheaper than paying full price. Here is the link: http://www.microsofthup.com/hupus/home.aspx?culture=en-US&page=lookup
Thanks everyone!!!

Microsoft Home Use Program

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Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 7:07 PM

2014-04-07T19:07:33-04:00

In order to encourage maximum participation and to ensure that we're all learning and growing together, here's just a few useful threads to check out; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the threads!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 7:18 PM

2014-04-07T19:18:23-04:00

The technical requirements are minimal, as other comments point out - actually I think you can go even smaller - most of the work I do from home, for work, is on my issued BB. Personally, I have a hard time with doing work from home because of the distractions - in order for it to work, I need to build an actual space or adopt one where I can get some quiet, and it's got to be one without any entertainment options too. There's a small computer hutch upstairs in our current house, I need a few more things to make into an office space.

I'd rather keep the two separate, but it seems like it's getting tougher. I don't want to see family time suffer for things, over 80% of which truthfully, can survive waiting until tomorrow morning (I'll own up to this, recently I answered an email way too late at night, got way too mouthy with it, and it ended up being forwarded. I owe the recipient an apology - I'm not angry about this, it's a legit cop, but I think if I hadn't had the phone turned on, I would have been a lot smarter and lot more patient in this instance).

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 9:08 PM

2014-04-07T21:08:24-04:00

I think the decision to have a home office should be largely based on your personal situation: space available, family needs, your ability to leverage technology, your organizational skills both in the office and at home, etc. I have a home office and have for the last 10 years. It gives me a dedicated space to spread my work out and get things done. Additionally, it has become "the study" for my three children. It is well equipped with many of the things that others have mentioned and I have a smattering of military memorabilia and family photos that also serve as motivational aides for me. Don't get me wrong, with wireless internet at home, I also work in the kitchen, on the deck, and in the living room. While the office doesn't have the utility it once commanded pre-wireless, it still works for me an my family. These days technology makes geography irrelevant....good luck with what works for you! Some peoples' home office solution is based on when they are at Starbucks!

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2014 3:33 AM

2014-05-10T03:33:15-04:00

I hope that this can offer a few tips for creating your perfect Home Office... Best of luck, and best wishes for continued success! http://ow.ly/qtRqg @AMAnet #career #worklife

How to Craft the Perfect Home Office

Whether you have a full time stay-at-home job or are cramming in after-hour duties, a home office is nice to have. Anyone can put a desk in a room, but if you want a great setup you need to know a few strategies to get the best setup and avoid common pitfalls that can sidetrack your productivity.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2016 1:37 AM

2016-11-10T01:37:04-05:00

My office is my home, where I do Meteorology, pretty much world-wide. Col Private RallyPoint Member An aside. I have social phobia, but radio is fine, to an extent. Not sure if this helps, or hurts. SN Greg Wright