[UPDATE: I fixed the formatting on this post. I'm using the Firefox Deepest Sender plugin to write posts... I need to work with a bit more... sorry]
So I have begun my first week at ASPSOFT. I work from home in case you didn't catch that from my previous posts on the subject (yes, I'm rubbing it in). I have yet to put on shoes and socks while working which is really cool. I know it would have been more glamorous (??) to call this post "Coding wearing Underwear" or "Coding Naked", but neither have been the case thus far and I'm not sure I will ever do that (I'm not Chris Sells nor will I ever be).
BTW, I have learned more in the last couple days (and the week prior that I was working part time) than I have learned in the last 6 months at TD.
The real reason I am writing this post it to let you know of a couple things that you will want to have
if you are going to be working from home (BTW, these are not ASPSOFT essentials... but they are some things that will make your life easier). BTW, I have left out the obvious stuff like developer tools; these are the less obvious ones (at least in my mind).
1) At least 2 machines: one very powerful desktop, and one ok powered server. 2 machines are very important, because you need to be able to do everything from home and one machine running everything will be sssssllllllooooowwww. Some places will provide ways to connect to their set up remotely, but you never know when your connectivity will be lost).
2) A laptop with a wireless connection to your internal LAN. This one is kind of optional, but if you want to go outside and enjoy the weather or just get out of the office a lap top will greatly help matters.
3) IM. This is essential. You are cut off from the world working. You need to be able to have some human contact and you need to have a break every once and awhile. It's important!
4) Maxivista. I know this sounds ludicrous, but if you have a laptop desktop and server -- each will usable screens-- then being able to put use all 3 screens at once will make your work life a little more organized 9and a lot more fun). I have 3 extra machines (I have a win98 box that my son uses). See picture:
(Many thanks to Scott Hanselman for being the original person who brought this to my attention).
BTW, Maxivista also lets you remote control any screen. Today I'm actually using my Laptop remote controlled to cut down on the load on my desktop.
Coming soon
I have some posts coming regarding the new .Net 2.0 Membership APIs and I'm considering starting a new category for new/young developers who want to move to the next level.