cni-directories: Re: Telework/Telecommuting
Re: Telework/Telecommuting
KHOWELL@USCVM.BITNET
Thu, 23 Jan 1992 16:11:00 PST
Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1992 16:11:00 PST
From: KHOWELL@USCVM.BITNET
Subject: Re: Telework/Telecommuting
In-Reply-To: Message of Thu,
23 Jan 1992 15:58:36 -0700 from <AXPBBGS@UICVMC.BITNET>
Bernie,
I think there's room for systems development people to telework. I
don't have an official teleworking arrangement--I work daily in the
office. When I need time to concentrate for a long period, I can
work from home and dial into the campus mainframe to send/read email
and log in to the development system.
However, I do "telework" in the office regularly because I work with
Judith Turner, Director of Chronicle Information Services,
in D.C. on our joint development of the Online Chronicle. Because of
the time difference (D.C. is 3 hrs ahead of L.A.), I tend to communicate
by email rather than by phone. It's easier to send her a message from
home in the evening, knowing she'll get it 5 a.m. my time and can have
an answer for me when I get to the office. Granted, I'm using teleworking
rather loosely--to cover work from my office as well as my home.
One important note: electronic communication must be supplemented by
personal communication. I find some things are better done by phone,
or saved for our face-to-face meetings (once every two months or so).
For example, it's more efficient for me to explain what some design
implications are by talking with her on the phone and having her
logged on to our test system at the same time. Electronic communication
is great, but can be "thin." By talking and meeting, we build
familiarity with each other's style of talking, thinking, and making
decisions. I didn't get enough feedback when we only corresponded
by email.
Another characteristic of working by email: I have better records than
I would if we were working out of the same physical office. The trail
of email messages gives me a history of design ideas and dates that I
wouldn't necessarily have if we were meeting in person. Not all
conversations are recorded if you're popping into someone else's office.
Karen Howell khowell@uscvm
Systems Development Librarian khowell@vm.usc.edu
and Online Chronicle Coordinator 213-740-2933
Center for Scholarly Technology
University of Southern California
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