Things that are WAAY overdue

[GlennD]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

How about... uh... Oh! Oh! Working from home! The 10-step commute for all office workers! Yeah!

Hear, hear!

And concerns about slacking can be addressed pretty easily either by technology (web cam on your computer, your supervisor can see when you're at your desk) and by intelligent management (a corporate culture where your employer is more concerned about you getting your assigned work completed well and on time rather than the hours it took you to do it). Some people do have a hard time pulling it off though - in my case my kids think I'm at home to play with them if I stay home, so I get more done if I go to the office.

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by balok

False.

It is based primarily on economic exploitation of the third world.

The idea that American prosperity comes from a good work ethic belongs to the 1800s. Things are completely different today.

Originally Posted by balok

What are you, Hitler? Are you even human?

It seems to me that liking children is hard-wired into every human. It's like one of the three laws of robotics, but for humans.

Originally Posted by balok

Sure, except for the "all" part. Lots of (most?) office workers will slack off if you don't keep an eye on them. I know I do, since I'm writing these words at the office.

balok, your comments are terribly negative and insulting.

I am not going to apologize for the fact that I am a middle class US American citizen who's family has worked very hard to have what we have. I have not exploited anyone. The American people are not the villains of the world and it is narrow-minded to think that all the ills of the world can be laid at our feet. It is one of the easiest excuses available to blame the "haves" for the conditions of the "have nots" and unless you have given all income above and beyond what you need for basic survival to what you perceive as those in need, you should not stand in judgement of others.

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Waay overdue: Getting off the child question, I think.

How about... uh... Oh! Oh! Working from home! The 10-step commute for all office workers! Yeah!

Originally Posted by GlennD

Hear, hear!

And concerns about slacking can be addressed pretty easily either by technology (web cam on your computer, your supervisor can see when you're at your desk) and by intelligent management (a corporate culture where your employer is more concerned about you getting your assigned work completed well and on time rather than the hours it took you to do it). Some people do have a hard time pulling it off though - in my case my kids think I'm at home to play with them if I stay home, so I get more done if I go to the office.

In my husband's previous job, he participated in a trial program for people who wanted to telecommute. He loved it, but felt that "out of sight, out of mind" occurred with his supervisors and higher-ups. He was always afraid that since they really couldn't put a name to a face, so to speak, it would be easy to lay him of in tough times. Because he had a dedicated office space and could close the door to keep the rest of us out, it really did work for him. He just didn't feel that management was ready for the concept.

On a side note, some government agencies here in the DC area have started satellite offices to help keep the congestion around DC down. The set up a satellite location where you can work a few days out of the week instead of going to the main buildings. It may not be the best solution, but it's a step in the right direction.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by kazbates

He was always afraid that since they really couldn't put a name to a face, so to speak, it would be easy to lay him of in tough times.

That can happen in an office, too!

Originally Posted by kazbates

On a side note, some government agencies here in the DC area have started satellite offices to help keep the congestion around DC down. The set up a satellite location where you can work a few days out of the week instead of going to the main buildings. It may not be the best solution, but it's a step in the right direction.

Satellite offices are always a good idea, especially in congested areas. DC and most major U.S. metropolitan cities should have many more of them.

[balok]

Originally Posted by kazbates

balok, your comments are terribly negative and insulting.

I apologize for the Hitler comment, which was in fact insulting, but as for the rest of what I wrote, I only spoke the truth.

I am not going to apologize for the fact that I am a middle class US American citizen who's family has worked very hard to have what we have. I have not exploited anyone.

The middle class is partly to blame for tacitly accepting the status quo, in order to maintain their standard of living, which has allowed the American/British economic model to become dominant.

The American people are not the villains of the world and it is narrow-minded to think that all the ills of the world can be laid at our feet.

The American people is like any other. No more virtuous, industrious, deserving than any other nation. They are not responsible for all the ills of the world, but they are partly responsible for some of them. However, I think the primary culprit is not the middle-class, but rather the modern aristocracy that controls the corporate and financial empires, influences public opinion, and generally pulls the strings behind the scenes.

unless you have given all income above and beyond what you need for basic survival to what you perceive as those in need, you should not stand in judgement of others.

Who's standing in judgment? I'm just stating the facts. I'm as guilty as anyone else, but the difference with me is that I acknowledge my fault, and the first step to solving a problem is to admit its existence. No one is asking you to give away your money. I think the reasonable thing to do would be to vote for candidates who promote sustainable development, accountability and transparency instead of candidates who simply promise lower taxes and more jobs and who talk a lot about national American identity.

[yvanleterrible]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Prosperity isn't the issue. The issue is whether or not there are enough resources to go around for nearly 7 billion people... and either way, whether or not we are hoarding our share. We buy our products from global sources. We need to think about the global population, and stop acting like the world outside of our hedges doesn't exist.

Well I'd point out that prosperity is often expressed in material waste such as those huge vehicles and houses growing everywhere. That's the frivolous part that strains the most resources needlessly.

A planet wide unification is our next goal. That will be tough, I'm one of those separatists.

[yvanleterrible]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

No, I just don't like children. They are noisy, demanding and highly self-centered.

.

Isn't that the definition of a spouse?

[LazyScot]

Originally Posted by kazbates

On a side note, some government agencies here in the DC area have started satellite offices to help keep the congestion around DC down. The set up a satellite location where you can work a few days out of the week instead of going to the main buildings. It may not be the best solution, but it's a step in the right direction.

The company I work for has several offices, and I do have to travel between them. There are certain things that are best done in person, or for which you need physical access to certain (expensive) equipment. However there are also days when you can telecommute as well, so a mix is best.

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Satellite offices are always a good idea, especially in congested areas. DC and most major U.S. metropolitan cities should have many more of them.

Interestingly, there are companies that aim to provide bookable offices scattered across the country. It would be nice to have the idea that, perhaps, a day or two a week a "nearer" office is "opened" to allow you to physically work together.

I would also add the pure telecommuting can be very hard psychologically (or so I've been told) on many people as you loose the direct interaction with colleagues, so a balance makes sense.

And obviously, this only works for some jobs...

Back on the things that are WAAY overdue (apart from a couple of library books), I'd like (even though I've not idea if it is possible) to have a "SatNav" for my supermarket shopping that had my shopping list in it. I'm seriously sick of wandering backwards and forwards looking for stuff. And if it can tell me in advance what percentage of things I'm actually going to be able to get, that would be good too...

(Yes, I know I can do it on-line, but a fair chunk of my stuff is fresh that I want to be able to choose, and I'm often swayed by offers meaning I adapt what I'm getting... Oh, and can the device tell me what the offer price was *before* the 3 for 2 offer started....).

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by LazyScot

Back on the things that are WAAY overdue (apart from a couple of library books), I'd like (even though I've not idea if it is possible) to have a "SatNav" for my supermarket shopping that had my shopping list in it. I'm seriously sick of wandering backwards and forwards looking for stuff. And if it can tell me in advance what percentage of things I'm actually going to be able to get, that would be good too...

Going shopping with my mother, all those years ago, taught me to just start at one end of the store and go aisle-to-aisle to the other end, and you don't have to backtrack.

Of course, then I married a girl who just goes back and forth and back and forth and back and forth...

(In the store! In the store!)

[Peverel]

Originally Posted by kazbates

In my husband's previous job, he participated in a trial program for people who wanted to telecommute. He loved it, but felt that "out of sight, out of mind" occurred with his supervisors and higher-ups. He was always afraid that since they really couldn't put a name to a face, so to speak, it would be easy to lay him of in tough times. Because he had a dedicated office space and could close the door to keep the rest of us out, it really did work for him. He just didn't feel that management was ready for the concept.

Originally Posted by GlennD

Hear, hear!

And concerns about slacking can be addressed pretty easily either by technology (web cam on your computer, your supervisor can see when you're at your desk) and by intelligent management (a corporate culture where your employer is more concerned about you getting your assigned work completed well and on time rather than the hours it took you to do it). Some people do have a hard time pulling it off though - in my case my kids think I'm at home to play with them if I stay home, so I get more done if I go to the office.

I have done both and have employees who do both. I can say that as a general rule the ones working from home are more productive than the ones on the office. I think it is two things -

1. The ones at home fit their work around their lives a little more (I have no issue with this - if they need to do a school run/doctors appointment or whatever they do)
2. I think the lack of office interruptions generally lets them focus more and the job at hand.

I genuinely believe most people are honest and will do an honest days work for an honest days pay. It is certainly what I have found.

Thats my 2 cents

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by balok

It seems to me that liking children is hard-wired into every human. It's like one of the three laws of robotics, but for humans.

Heavens - what I strange thing to say. I can't stand small children myself. Once they reach the age of 6 or 7 and become (hopefully) at least a little like civilized human being they are bearable, but before that, I try to avoid them like the plague .

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Heavens - what I strange thing to say. I can't stand small children myself. Once they reach the age of 6 or 7 and become (hopefully) at least a little like civilized human being they are bearable, but before that, I try to avoid them like the plague .

I like nippers best when they're toddlers - and start exploring and discovering things around them.
It makes me look at the world afresh.

Wouldn't want any of my own though - the responsibility is terrifying.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

How about... uh... Oh! Oh! Working from home! The 10-step commute for all office workers! Yeah!

Hmm, I could work at home for a few days a week. I decided not to, because I like the interaction at work.

But, if I do work at home (it happens, because of external situations, like plumber having to come by to fix something), I often make more hours. My husband will leave at 7 (our usual time to leave, we normally car-pool), so I'll start my PC at 7. Which is about an hour earlier than when I would go to work. No walking at lunch, which generally takes between 30-45 minutes. And I'd stop at around 4, while, at the office, I'd stop at 4:30.

But it's too quiet at home, nobody to talk to! (except the cats, if they aren't outside...)

Originally Posted by kazbates

The American people are not the villains of the world

What! But.... But... Now I have to change my world view...

*pouts*

Originally Posted by HarryT

Heavens - what I strange thing to say. I can't stand small children myself. Once they reach the age of 6 or 7 and become (hopefully) at least a little like civilized human being they are bearable, but before that, I try to avoid them like the plague .

Hear, hear!

[balok]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I can't stand small children myself.

From some of your posts regarding copyright infringement, I suspected you were a child childless person. You people tend to be rigidly conservative and conformist. Like robots. What a coincidence with your avatar.

[yvanleterrible]

Originally Posted by balok

From some of your posts regarding copyright infringement, I suspected you were a child person. You people tend to be rigidly conservative and conformist. Like robots. What a coincidence with your avatar.

You said you had three children. If you're not rigidly conservative and comformist then you don't like them?

I love small kids from birth up to school time. At that time they accept peer pressure and it's over, they only need the parent as a wallet. I have difficulty accepting fashions because I don't believe in them. When they get to be adults then it's way better. It's difficult to be a good parent and surviving at the same time.

I miss the days when they were toddlers. My energy levels wouldn't allow me to start over again anyway.