Living the web commuter lifestyle requires that I carry around things you might keep in a desk drawer. It's not like I can schlep around everything, so weight and size are an issue. And yet, if you're working remotely, there are things you just don't want to be without. Here's my list of five things. I'm curious to know yours.
(Note: none of these links are promotional nor are they affiliate links. They just point to sites that talk about the product referenced.) First off, the bag itself. I'm sporting a really small Oakley bag. I keep the bag small after reading a post at Digital Nomads about how to lose 10 pounds quickly (hint: get a smaller bag). I might change it out soon. My 7-year-old daughter got all kinds of paint on it last week when she did her best Jackson Pollock impression on some canvasses in anticipation of an art show.
A Monster Cable Power Strip
I have a very small, very portable extension cord dedicated to turning one power outlet into three plus a USB. A.B.C. is the rule: Always Be Charging. Any kind of power strip will do. I like the Monster one because it's so damned compact. Size matters, kids.
My Verizon EVDO Card
You're not still surfing the wifi hotspots, are you? You're going to pick up a nasty virus. Oh, and if not that, you'll get stuck at the coffeeshop where some fuzzy girl wonder is bittorrenting the entire fifth season of South Park, slowing down your basic connections to a crawl. Web commuters can't rely on whatever resident wifi crumbs you can scrape together. Spend the $39 a month (most US carriers have similar plans, including Sprint and AT&T) and do it right. 3 paid-for wifi hotspots a month and you've already justified this to the boss.
Pens and a Moleskine Journal
Don't think life is strictly digital. Sometimes, you need a good old fashioned pen and paper to get things handled. Use said pen and paper to jot important notes about upcoming projects while you're in between laptop moments. Or, maybe you'll use your pad to write a quick note to the cute web commuter at the next table. Whatever the case, I keep paper and pens handy.
A Flip Mino Video Camera
I prefer the Flip Mino to the Flip MinoHD (it's the web; you don't really need HD much). Why? How? I use this tool in many ways. I use it for marketing. I use it for communicating brief messages that I'd rather capture in video instead of text. I use it to show off the conditions in certain work environments. For instance, if I were still building data centers and rolling in huge enterprise servers, I'd use a Flip to document the process. I'd show off how the procedures went, and how things stacked up. This tool is just basic communications protocol for me now, and might prove useful to you.
My MacBook
My laptop goes everywhere with me. I need it to connect to my world. Yes, the iPhone is getting closer and closer, but my Macbook is still my portal to the larger web. I can't yet run a webinar off my iPhone (though I hear that's coming soon). I can't really type as fast as I can on my laptop, so it's a staple. I keep it charged as best as I can, too. If you're a really hardcore user, you can tote around a second battery, but then, that's adding about five or more pounds of weight to your backpack.
What's in YOUR Bag?
Are there five things you can't stand to be without? Share them with us here at workshifting. It's always fun to get a peek into someone else's life, don't you agree?
Chris Brogan is acting editor of workshifting. He is president of New Marketing Labs, and blogs occasionally at [chrisbrogan.com]
I always have my moleskin journal and pen with me, for some reason there are still things that seem easier to do with pen and paper.
I have almost the same exact stuff in my gear bag - I think they're essentials. However, I can't believe you forgot to include headphones! :)
I use a Booq Mamba Saddle bag. Fits quite a bit for a messenger bag, not nearly as roomy as a backpack though.
5 things that come with me on every trip:
1) Macbook Pro. It is my office, my communication tool, my workflow, my everything.
2) APC Mobile Power Pack to recharge the iPhone way more than I should need to.
3) Tazo Refresh and Tazo Black tea bags. Always drink tea instead of soda/juice on my flights. Black for the AM, Refresh for the PM flights.
4) Nikon D300 (and Kodak Zi6). It's a hefty addition to my bag, but you never know what you might come across. Like the time I got my picture with a gigantic check at DFW. Who doesn't want their photo with a gigantic check? (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradjward/3480837226/)
5) My Sprint mobile broadband card. I realized that the iPhone is great, but I needed to have connectivity on my laptop to be more efficient and get tasks done more quickly, wherever I am.
Definitely at the top is my MBP and Moleskin/Pens. I find a lot of the time that when I'm out at a coffee shop, I prefer going old school with pen & paper to jot down notes or thoughts.
Also a big part of my bag is my ipod/headphones. You never know what type of people you'll have to sit by or hear at these shops, so best come prepared shall you need to drown them out!
There are 4 things I just can't do without...
1) My MacBook Air & QuickerTek's external battery for the Air.
2) My Sprint Mobile Broadband
3) A Sharpie -- because you just never know!
4) Hearos Ear Plugs - because sometimes I need to block out the world around me so that I can concentrate
Funny, we just had a series of posts on this very topic on WebWorkerDaily: http://webworkerdaily.com/tag/gear/
When traveling for work, in addition to my MacBook and Flip cam I also carry:
- the work blackberry
- the personal iPhone
- my digital camera (this one uploads directly to the web: http://bit.ly/LLC2Q)
- vModa noise-cancelling headphones, which are a godsend on trains, planes and automobiles
Thanks for sharing, Chris!
@emilyspearl
One more thing:
Make-me-smarter MP3 files. I always download HBR podcasts, or the top selling biz book to listen to on the plane, will often put it on my Shuffle to keep it light.
My latest addition to my work bag is a portable battery operated iPhone charger. Great for when your phone is about to die and you must have access to it.
1) My laptop
2) It's A/C adaptor
3) a retractable mouse USB (me and touchpads are natural enemies... I need a mouse, dammit)
4) a datakey - seriously - there's always some reason I need to transfer a file - even if it's only so I can take it with me w/o having to bring everything else
4) Flip Camera OR Headset - depends on which is more important given where I am.
mostly the same kit, mac etc, but i have a multimedia production kit too. I too have a flip, which is great for 'talking heads' soundbite interviews, plus an edirol RD 09 digital sound recorder for longer interviews for podcasts and conferences, and a canon G10 compact camera, which is pro quality but very small. this is my basic multimedia production kit that all fits in a small belt pouch so it doesnt add to my carry on allowance. then a usb slim hub because 2 usb's is just not enough, a wireless mouse, a bunch of usb drives and a small card reader for the sd cards for the camera and edirol. headphones and mic combo - i have a sennheiser set that are very comfortable for skype and long webinars and for watching in flight movies. the remote for my mac for presentations, and 2 connectors for the mac to vga projectors - if you lose that you are stuffed if you want to make a presentation from your own machine so always have aback up.
all this only weighs a kilo or so, and most can go on my waist or in a pocket, but allows me to record, produce and distribute pro quality multimedia on the road
I like to bring the latest picture my daughter has drawn/colored for me. I don't tape it to the wall at the coffeehouse or anything; just makes me feel less like a nomad.
My additions to the list:
Canon G10 -- takes amazing photos for a point and shoot, and allows manual settings and even RAW files.
iGo bluetooth keyboard -- when I want to do lots of typing w/o my laptop, I just unfold this full-sized keyboard and type onto my Nokia. It's perfect for first drafts, whether for fiction, blogging, or articles.
1. Extension cord (not just a power strip since sometimes you can't sit right next to the outlet)
2. Verizon data card
3. iPhone and AC power cord & car charger (it's works great as long as it's charged) and in-ear headphones
4. Smartpen by Livescribe with notebook and USB cradle
5. Kindle (and AC cord)
Hey Chris. Thanks for the tip about the Flip video - ordered 2. One for me and one for the hubby (mostly to film our 9-month old daughter but also to start filming my hubby's new cooking show and my various projects). Got mine in pink so I KNOW he won't be stealing mine. He wouldn't be caught dead carrying a pink video camera.
Hey Chris,
Good news! If you wanted to, you actually COULD run a webinar (ok maybe not for thousands like you probably pull in) from your iPhone! They have a free account and some pay versions, but you can try it without a credit card. What more could a mobile man like you wish for!?
Check out: http://www.fuzemeeting.com. I found it about a month ago, and although I haven't had a spare minute to try it yet, I will very soon!
Being the techno-geek I am, when I found it, it was like Christmas Day at 6 years old all over again (you remember the feeling, right?)
Anyway, it might prove fun when you have a spare 5 minutes (if you ever do). If you do try it, please post your thoughts :-)
I own the flip ultra and I love it, however having to constantly charge the little battery's gets annoying...
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