I don't know OP John McKown personally, but from his IBM Main postings I would be so bold as to offer this advice: it's time to saddle up the sorrel and ride out of town toward the sunset. The bad guys are in jail, and the good folks left in town don't need you anymore.
Like others giving advice, I've done gigs more or less remote for varying periods. For years my production data center was in another county. I've provided support for affiliates in other states. Modern technology does not require *your* hands-on for most of what sysprogs do. I work from home for hours or occasionally days. My laptop camera BTW is never turned on. As Jerry W. says, personal video for a group is fairly useless. We formerly had Lotus Notes here, now Skype for Business. Any modern product should fill the bill. It's a good sign that a company would make you an offer knowing that you're beyond the control wire. They trust your experience and knowledge. If they give you full system access over VPN, there's not much you can't do. Be 'present and in mind' as much as possible via communication media. Do stuff and let everyone know about it. Go for it. . . . J.O.Skip Robinson Southern California Edison Company Electric Dragon Team Paddler SHARE MVS Program Co-Manager 323-715-0595 Mobile 626-302-7535 Office [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bill Woodger Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2016 11:17 AM To: [email protected] Subject: (External):Re: remote system support (i.e. the data center is 2 states away from you). Perhaps it's an "other side of the Pond" thing, but if it is a actual remote position for a large company, I'd expect them to provide all the hardware you need, and even ban you from any access to the company from your own devices (other than phone calls). As others have indicate, working remotely involves new means of communication, not the end of communication. With "instant messaging" you can interact more thoroughly than an occasional coincidental cup of coffee. You may have to modify/develop your techniques. I like to write "self-contained" texts - and then I get "thank you for your detailed email..." and you know the sub-text is "which I am far too important to have read". Say everything you want to say at the beginning, explain later. If someone is going to ignore the bulk of what you have written at least make it difficult for them to ignore the point(s) you want to make. Email (and IM) are great CYA, by the way :-) IM. For sure don't try to "conference" by IM. Except with very controlled procedures (a "moderator" effectively) it is a nightmare, as three other people have contributed before you've typed your important contribution, and now untangle that. Even one-on-one IM can be tricky. I write (for instance notepad) what I want to get across before the IM, then I can highlight/copy/paste, whilst leaving open the option to reply to any points in reply. If the message "xyz is typing" comes up, it is worth waiting, rather than just carrying on with what you were going to "type". I don't think group video conferences are so important to be video, but if that's what someone wants, it's not a problem. I'm not sure one-on-one video (for business) is useful all the time, but again, if it is what the other party wants. I do feel audio reduces self-conciousness and eases concentration on the topic. Plan your meetings. You may have strictly limited time. Delay to the end of the meeting, or to another meeting, topics that are overrunning. Distribute an agenda, get through the agenda. If the meeting is long, allow for a break (or breaks). It can at least "seem" more intense than a "real" meeting. If it is your meeting, be assertive. If it is someone else's meeting and you have something important to interrupt about (someone missed something vital, and no-one noticed) then be assertive. "I'd like to quickly back to the point about..." and assorted phrases. You get adept at looking for gaps to "interrupt" at good moments, but not always possible. A great thing about audio/video is that you may be able to record. Obviously all should be aware, and there ma be local rules (even laws somewhere?) against it. But "having it on tape" means 1) you can review it 2) you can easily frame an exact request for clarification 3) you have it on tape :-) I guess how people work from home varies from person-to-person. I'd myself recommend having some "space" somewhere where you can "go to work". There's some education of people living with you as well. Just because you are "at home" doesn't mean you can have an earl dinner ready, collect the dog from the vet, or finish work a five-on-the-dot. It's a different experience, and can be fun. Remember always the company is not allowing you to work remotely for your benefit (in itself). You provide the tea/heat/cooling/lighting/workspace/insurance etc. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [email protected] with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
