With all the free WiFi hotspots out there, I thought it time to share from my experiences 5 ways to show proper etiquette when working remotely.

I recently read an article that talked about WiFi hotspots in New York were starting to turn away laptop users.

Being a freelance web developer and working out of my home on occasion necessitates that I work in remote locations from time to time.  Mostly because I have a beautiful wife and 5 children so it can get pretty noisy at the homestead, (kids, not the wife).

So I have learned a few things about being apart of the mobile work force now that I will share with you

1. Seek out multiple hotspot locations
   You should find 5 or 6 locations that you like to use.  If you’re like me, and you’re at remote locations as much as 3-4 times a week, this helps reduce the amount of time you’re spending at any one location.
2. Use as little space as possible
   Don’t sit at a table or booth for 4-6 people by yourself.  This is annoying to the lunch/dinner crowd and the business owner.
3. Get to know the management
   I make it a point to meet the manager(s) on duty during the times I frequent, introduce myself, and thank them for the use of their facilities and WiFi.  On my various visits I find out how they are doing and how business is doing.  They really do appreciate this, which is something they generally won’t get from others.
4. Order food and drink
   I had a conversation with the manager of a location I frequent one day, and he told me the thing that annoyed him the most about “WiFi squatter”, yep, that’s what he called them, was they generally don’t order anything, or very little.  Sometimes they would even bring in their own food or beverage!  Man, that’s just wrong!  You won’t be welcome back if you do that.
5. Don’t become a “parking lot squatter”
   Parking lot squatters are those who sit in their car and use a businesses WiFi without ever going into the business.  It’s rude, and will only cause the business owner to password protect his network.

Having the use of a business owners table, climate control, power & WiFi in return for just purchasing a meal and drink, and showing a little etiquette is a pretty darn good fair trade if you ask me.  This is especially true if you consider what office space and utilities would cost you.

Just a few musings from my brain. . .

~David

Tags: Freelance, Freelancing, Self-Employed, Sole Proprietor

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 20th, 2009 at 11:13 am and is filed under Freelancing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.