One problem I find with this scheme is the delay in communications. It is
nice to be able to walk over to someone's office (or wherever they happen
to be at the moment) and ask them a question right now. If you have to try
to email or call, it can take hours or more to get your question answered.
Also, for some reason that I don't understand yet, some people seem to
think that an email communication is somehow less important (i.e., they
never give you a full,detailed answer to your email even though they would
give it to you in person) or that their email doesn't need to be checked on
a regular basis. If your boss (or conversely, if the person you are hiring
remotely) turns out to be this way, it can be exceedingly annoying.

It is also nice to be able to work in a team so that when you make a small
(or large) breakthrough, you can lean over and say "hey, take a look at
this!" and get some instant feedback.

I wish that a way around these could be found, though, because working
remotely is often very advantageous.

Sean

At 11:16 AM 9/23/00 -0500, you wrote:
>On Sat, 23 Sep 2000, Dan Michaels wrote:
>
> > One keeps hearing all the time how the internet has eliminated
> > space and time. Has this not, to some extent, diminished the need
> > for relocation? Or is this just hype? Would be interesting to know
> > people's opinions here - especially those in the business of
> > employing others.
>
>Yes and no.
>
>My full time job is with a company with offices here and ont he east
>coast.  Some managers travel here every couple of weeks.  With a good
>network it's easier, but you can't beat "face time" for a lot of things.
>Having people separated is workable, but certainly not as efficient as
>having everyone local.  I know; I've tried to manage projects with some of
>the team in other locations, and it's a pain.
>
>On the other hand, I do some sideline work and have never met the people
>paying me.  It works out well, since they can get work done by someone
>with skills they can't find locally, and I don't have to travel.
>
>I guess it just depends on what your needs are.
>
>Dale
>---
>The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new
>discoveries, is not "Eureka!" (I found it!) but "That's funny ..."
>                 -- Isaac Asimov
>
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