Working from home, what a change right? Well, we thought we would make a little list of some must-haves for this new normal.
Communicate with others, track time, share files, protect your device. These are all questions we have been asked. Here are some tools that we find useful.
Video Conferencing
We all have to communicate and there are so many choices Skype, Facebook Messenger, Google Hangouts, Apple Facetime, Whatsapp, and the list goes on So what should you use.
Zoom.us
We would say this is currently the most widely used App/service, its easy to use and pretty straight forward and has some cool features.
Pros:
- Works on all major platforms Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
- Offers Free level of Service
- Works well for groups
Cons:
- 40-minute time limit on free account
- Has been hacked recently, privacy concerns
- Must pay for all features
Jitsi Meet
Here’s a great open-source option, it has a great set of features and is completely free
Pros:
- Secure, Fully Featured
- works on all major platforms Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
- Opensource, no account needed
- FREE!!!!
Cons:
- not as many cool features as zoom, like replace your background
Timer Trackers
We have all been there, the day is gone and what did we do? Well, its been proven tracking time is the key.
Weird name right? TomatoTimer is a flexible and easy to use online Pomodoro Technique Timer.
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The technique uses a timer to break down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks.
Clockify is a free time tracking software. It lets you and your team track time so you can later see where the time goes and improve productivity.” It is a completely free time tracking tool for agencies and freelancers.
An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
As storms roll through A UPS can be a lifesaver it provides backup power for a limited time in case your electricity goes out. It can give you some useful buffer time to save your work and safely shut down your equipment.
A Condenser Microphone
Nothing mucks up a Zoom meeting, Skype calls, or videoconference quicker than poor audio quality. Whether it’s excessive background noise, incessant echo, or just the old bad-sounding laptop microphone, poor sound quality hinders communication and productivity. In some cases, it can even make you sound unprofessional.
Backup Routine
You’ll need a plan for backing up and protecting your data once your home office is up and running. You can use cloud-based backup services to copy your files automatically, but it’s also a good idea to have an in-house backup in place. We offer both cloud-based and local Backups solutions, let us help you with your backup needs. We configure, backup, verify, and test the backup system to ensure your data is enacted and safe.