Being able to work from (almost) anywhere is not a fiction any more. Technically speaking, we have the ability today to work from absolutely anywhere in the world and stay connected: should that be in the middle of a desert, somewhere over the ocean (or under its surface), or a hundred miles above, in a capsule orbiting around the earth. And as long as you can afford paying for your satellite communications, working from any of those places is not an issue. But in the real business life it would definitely be!

In my world, advertisers, software developers and programmers, PR consultants, lawyers, journalists, salesmen, photographers, analysts, and all those people who can work from anywhere just as much as their office, will use one day (if this has not be done yet) at least one of those technologies or their upgraded versions, to do their job. Once you’ll have managed to convince your boss that working from home is good for you, your productivity and his shareholders, then take a moment to review those 10 useful tips that will make your home working experience, unforgettable!

10 useful tools to help you work remotely

• Access your home PC/Mac from anywhere in the World: LogMeIn is a free software which runs on PCs and Macs, and which gives you a fast, easy remote access to the full content of your home or office PC from any other computer with an Internet connection. And if you’re not fan of spending your time manually synchronizing your important files between your home PC, office PC and laptop, then Dropbox is for you. Dropbox is a storage application and service that enables users to store and sync files online and between computers. And since Dropbox has a cross-platform client (Linux for x86 and x86_64, Mac, Windows and the iPhone) users are enabled to drop any file into a Dropbox folder that is then synced to the web and the users’ other computers with the Dropbox client! Easy, no??

• Keep your laptop on a USB key: PortableApps.com Suite™ is a complete collection of more than 80 portable apps including a web browser, email client, office suite, calendar/scheduler, instant messaging client, antivirus, audio player, sudoku game, password manager, PDF reader, minesweeper clone, backup utility and integrated menu, all preconfigured to work portably. Just drop it on your portable device and you’re ready to go. read the full review.

• Stay organized and learn how to better manage your time and improve your time management experience (”How to find time for…  everything!”).

• Work from a laptop connected in 3G: no need for a 3G dongle and an expensive broadband mobile package to surf the web at high speed and from any place covered by a cellular network.  JoikuSpot Light is a free symbian software that turns any mobile phone with a wifi connection, to a 3G WLAN HotSpot. You can thus connect your laptop or any other WLAN device to the web from anywhere using your mobile phone and enjoy 3G speed surfing! read the full review.

• Keep in touch with the world by VoIP: in the middle of a conference call you will really have a bad excuse if you tell your client or your co-workers that you have to hang-up the phone because in this era of economic downturn it costs you an arm and a leg to call from home! Smile: you’ve got the choice between Skype and Google Voice. And make sure to always keep a VoIP client installed on your mobile phone so you can keep in touch for almost nothing wherever you are! Try Nimbuzz or Sipdroid.

• Use Google Docs without moderation!  Google Doc is a web-based word processor, spreadsheet and presentation application suite that enables you to create and edit documents online collaborating with your colleagues.

• Stay connected and available when you have to leave your home (to pick-up the kids, do some afternoon shopping to avoid rush hour or simply get some fresh air!): Nokia Easy Meet, an intuitive collaboration tool that can offer real-time content sharing via both mobile devices and PCs. Mobile device users can see, interact with, and share content directly on or from the device. And don’t forget to have your Skype/Google voice calls routed to your mobile!

• Don’t forget to keep in touch with your on-line community while on the move! Should they be family, friends or business partners, they’re always happy to hear from you and know what you’re currently working on.

• Decide to wait until 2017 to really get a cool Startrek-like home-office cubicle. And if you are not that patient, you’ll probably get used to Mozilla’s AURORA by then.

• and keep an eye on the software and tools that are meant to help make your “mobile” lives easier (recommended by 52ndwest and all the good blogs who work at making your mobile life experience, unforgettable!)

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In my world, those technologies are already available and reliable. But the main obstacle which needs to be overcome is not technological, but organizational as most companies’ top execs find it hard to let their employees organize their own work time. Sadly, in many latin countries like France, Italy or Spain, it is still the time you spend in an office that counts, and not so much your efficiency at work. And is it fortuitous that Scandinavian countries have today the best quality of live in the world? I think there is much we can get from them and implement in terms of balanced working life.

want more on how to improve your remote working experience? read 10 tools to help your remote workers stay in touch, Master the Art of Working Remotely, Succeeding in Working Remotely, Tips for working from home, Home Office Highway ‘09: Remote Work Tools & a Road Warrior in Prep Mode, the digital nomad 1, 2 and 3)

Related posts:

1. Access your home PC/Mac from anywhere in the World
2. Microsoft recommends companies to let their employees work from home
3. Use Better Tools to Be a Better Student in 2010 [by Lifehacker]
4. Cheap VoIP telephony using Sipdroid
5. Is Workshifting In Our DNA? [by workshifting.com]