Resources & tools

Recommended software tools to make your “mobile” life easier

PortableApps
This suite of portable apps are a great set of productivity applications that can all run directly from a USB drive. These allow a ‘Digital Nomad’ to take all the essential tools with them and work from any computer that has a USB port. A full review of Portable Apps is available on 52ndwest.

FonJoikuSpot
FonJoikuSpot turns your mobile phone into a mobile WIFI access point. Connect your laptop to the Internet anywhere using your mobile phone and enjoy 3G speeds. No need for USB dongles, cables or Bluetooth. With FonJoikuSpot for Mobile you can access your mobile Internet connection using any WiFi laptop or gadget and share your connection with your friends nearby. A full review of FonJoikuSpot is available on 52ndwest.

GoToMyPC
This software facilitates quick and easy remote access to your computer’s files, programs, email, and network.  It can be used from any Web browser or wireless device and works in real time.

Skype
Software you can use to make telephone calls over the Internet — very inexpensively!

Google Docs
A web-based word processor, spreadsheet and presentation application suite that enables you to create and edit documents online collaborating with your colleagues.

Zoho
Want an alternative to Google Docs? Take a look at a lesser known suite of online applications from Zoho. The applications are free for individuals and some have a subscription fee for organizations. Zoho’s vision is to provide its customers (individuals, students, educators, non-profits, small and medium sized businesses) with the most comprehensive set of applications available anywhere.

Jott
A nifty little service that converts your voice into e-mails, text messages, reminders, lists and appointments.

Twitter
A social networking and micro-blogging tool that enables you to send updates (known as ‘tweets’) made up of 140 characters or less.

Adobe Air
A hybrid app platform designed to give users access to Internet applications without the need for a browser.

Jiwire
A comprehensive directory of 282,157 free and pay Wi-Fi locations in 140 countries, continuously updated by your peers and searchable by country, city, state and zip code.

WeFi
WeFi is a free software which enables reliable connection to Free Wi-Fi wherever wireless networks are available. Wefi users can move between open WiFi networks automatically, monitor friends’ online status and location, know the proximity of neighboring WeFi users who allow it and chat with them. Available for PC, Mac, Symbian, iPhone, Androïd and windows mobile users.

MakeUseOf
This site has lists of all sorts of things but one that is invaluable to the digital nomad is its listing of “Top Free Hosts to Store Your Files Online”.

Microsoft Windows Live
A suite of online tools that enable e-mail, instant messenger, online data storage, photo galleries and blogging, all in one spot.

Recommended readings and viewings

Books: The 4-Hour Workweek, Rework, L’Open Space M’a Tuer (the Open Space killed me), Seth Godin Bootstrapper’s Bible

Press: Where neo-nomads ideas percolate

Video: Urban Nomads

Community: Cyberworkers.com