Tech Telecommuters - What's Your "Third Place"?

re: Tech Telecommuters - What's Your "Third Place"?

Jo — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:22:05 GMT

How interesting, had never even thought of escaping when things get rough at home. Will definitely try out Starbucks, Barnes and Noble and Panera when the going gets tough for me.

re: Tech Telecommuters - What's Your "Third Place"?

John J Ross — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:10:15 GMT

We alwso work at one of our customers facilitys.

He like having us around.

re: Tech Telecommuters - What's Your "Third Place"?

James — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:18:47 GMT

i agree with Tim Ferriss' when he says that being in the right environment is critical to the efficiency of what you are trying to accomplish. Outside of my home office, here are my favs:

1. Panera Bread, Borders - full of vitality and a cafe to keep me energized. I like these environments for quick bursts of activity.

2. The Library - I also spent a lot of time in the library in college. Gordon, Chris? Recently I started going to the library when I need a quiet and cool place to concentrate.

3. Local Park - when I can go unplugged, I'll grab a picnic table to enjoy nature and get work done all in one. This works well when I need to clear my head for exercises in creativity.

4. Porcelain Throne - sometimes it's crazy at home and you just need a moment...

re: Tech Telecommuters - What's Your "Third Place"?

Richard Hyett — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:29:23 GMT

Visit any old British city, and most of them are old, and you'll find a number of magnificent buildings, that were in times past Gentlemen's Clubs. Gentlemens Clubs survive only in London now, a city where large numbers of business men still work.. In the regions real estate is too expensive in the cities and most businessmen work outside the congested cities. They commute, mostly by car and don't have time for these third places. The car, particularly with the advent of the podcast and cell phone, has become a third place.

re: Tech Telecommuters - What's Your "Third Place"?

Pepez — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:24:23 GMT

Thanks for bringing up these options. I have to say I have overlooked libraries as a workplace.

re: Tech Telecommuters - What's Your "Third Place"?

cbowen — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:13:54 GMT

@James, great feeedback! Heading down to the local park never even crossed my mind. Find a shady enough space, bring along the extra laptop battery... I'll give it a try.

-Chris

P.S. Yes, WPI's good old Gordon Library. Not an exotic destination, but it was quiet. :)

re: Tech Telecommuters - What's Your "Third Place"?

cbowen — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:17:29 GMT

@Richard, very interesting details on the London Gentlemen's Clubs. You're also exactly right about the car being a third place these days. I consume many podcasts in the attempt to turn unproductive driving time into a learning opportunity, and with conference calls being the norm these days, nobody minds if you're in the office, at home, or in the car for a meeting.

-Chris

re: Tech Telecommuters - What's Your "Third Place"?

brywolf — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:44:20 GMT

ah this is great article, sorry I am late. Having gone green and sold the car I spend a lot of time on the T in boston I found that I can not only owrk but also sktech on the train and bus. To the point if I am working an idea I have missed my stopped or got off to fine tune something then back on after. My spots however are:

Jamacia Pond: great enviroment for thinking and de-stress

Pru: the small park in the newer ( hunting ave. end) wifi is on and off, but there are tables inside and out over by P.F. Chang and starbucks ; )

Christian Sci. center: right near the Pru and convenite to various bus and train routes. I have designed alot of website there fromstart to finish.

Boston Harbor: there are alot of areas to crash and chill at or work very hard at over on the water front.

re: Tech Telecommuters - What's Your "Third Place"?

aullman — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:39:52 GMT

Remote Office Centers are another telecommuting option for workers today. Remote Office Centers lease office space, internet access and a phone system to workers from different companies in shared telecommuting centers that are usually located around suburban areas. There is a web site that allows users to search for Remote Office Centers near where they live: http://www.remoteofficecenters.com

Some homes do not have adequate facilities for telecommuting. Some employees would prefer having an office to go to each morning to start the day, and a place to come home from when the work day is over. Remote Office Centers provide an office down the street for people who do not want a long commute, but still want a real office.

An analogy can be drawn to the way people work out. Some people do real well exercising in their home. Others find that they can only maintain a good workout routine if they go to a health club to work out. The difference is not just equipment. Some people need the structure that comes from going to an office or a workout location. What people do not need is to waste time, money and gas making a long commute every day when home telecommuting or a Remote Office Center can serve the same purpose much more efficiently.