March 16, 2007 Recent articles have talked about a "new craze" involving workers using remote technology to work in non-traditional places. Perhaps what is old is new again only for the buzz effect.

This is not a new thing: employees like to avoid going into the office. However, with modern technology and wireless solutions, appearing to be in the office is easier than before. While journalists are talking about a new work model, I am reminded of the new business suit which involved shorts, sandals and Hawaiian shirts. This died with the dotcom bubble and only shows that fads fail.

In a recent SFGate article, one "Bedouin worker" loves to comment about how he faked his customer and boss out via VoIP technology. They thought he was at work, but he was skipping out and brunching with his wife. Great as it may sound, this suggests to me a lack of responsibility and desire to scam the system a little too much.

The remainder of the same article (I avoid linking to SFGate) discusses other great things, but also mentions how many of these Bedouins show up at wireless coffee shops and set up camp. They consume precious resources—table space, electricity and bandwidth—while doing little to support the patron who gives them the resources they need. This leads patrons to start conserving resources.

A last impression is on how those creating the buzz refer to Marx and other socialist and communist references. It should be noted that this is in San Francisco, not exactly the bastion of Conservatism or capitalism. However, there are such sites as the Daily Web Worker Blog and others who embrace these icons, yet the culture they embrace encourages scavenging resources from benevolent capitalists—otherwise these Bedouins must pay more for their lifestyle and thereby reduce the desire to pursue it.

There are worthwhile ideas to take away from this passing fad. Mobile technology does allow you to extend your office presence. However, one must adopt these technologies wisely lest work intrude on life—or vice versa—in an unbalanced way.