Comments on: Freelance Essentials

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 20:26:02 +0000

Paula, LOL! Synching up DOES require a cable! Unless she's using those awful radio-wave connector thingies, she absolutely does have to plug it in to her stereo. My stereo had the option, but the car's former owner didn't install the cable. I paid $50 to enjoy my iPod on my stereo. Worth every penny.

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 15:15:46 +0000

Thanks, Wendy. Luckily I've never been a trend-follower, so my friend's iPod comment didn't bother me too much. (Best part - she couldn't get it "sync'd up" to her car stereo...um even I know that usually involves some sort of cable.)

And Anne, regarding the iPod keyboard: I just did an article on iPods invading the workplace, and one guy said he has an iPod cover with a built-in keyboard, making his laptop obsolete.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 12:20:34 +0000

Anne, someone here in the house has an iPad. They do seem nice. My issue is seeing the screen. It's why I haven't upgraded to a phone with a text keyboard, though I found the PERFECT one yesterday. And my all-in-one is supposed to be wireless, but something is interfering with the transmission and neither HP nor me can figure it out. I suspect I have a firewall in the way.

Wendy, love that note to Paula's friend. LOL And being able to stop when you want to IS a great tool. :)

Amie, glad to hear you like Toshiba, too. If the college graduate here can abuse hers and still love it, that's one thing (because I'm not buying her another and she has no choice). If you love it, then I'm more convinced it's a good machine. I'll keep that in mind about the 10-key - I don't think I'd want to go without that as much as I use it.

Kagem/aulelia, I'm a list crosser-offer, too. :) I still do it, though the virtual sticky notes make it a lot less messy on this desk. :) And thanks for letting me know who/where you'd posted. :)

By: Kagem

Kagem — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 04:36:23 +0000

I also think a diary/filofax is a good thing to have because it can help to keep you focused.

Psychologically, I am one of those people who needs to cross things off a list and physically write it down with a pen to feel like I am making progress.

[By the way Lori, that was me who commented on your deadly marketing mistakes post - I used my wordpress avatar]

By: Amie

Amie — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 03:11:48 +0000

I too love Mozy...I've yet to have to retrieve anything, but it's so nice to have piece of mind!

Regarding laptops, I have a Toshiba, and I LOVE it. My only regret is that I didn't get one with a 10-key on it...

By: Wendy

Wendy — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 22:12:10 +0000

Paula, I don't have an iPod I can name about 12-20 people with ages ranging from 21-55 that do not own an iPod. You're "friend" is not so smart after all. Ha! Just had to say that.

Lori, another great asset to have is the ability to say when the work day is over and stick with it. Sounds easy to do, but some days I find it hard to do.

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 19:28:01 +0000

Great list... like Cathy I have to have a headset - headsets.com is where I get mine.

I haven't sent or received a fax in ages... my allinone will, or so it says, but I'll have to break out the manual.

Lori, I don't have a laptop... bought an ipad for play and it's getting useful enough for business I'll probably buy it a keyboard before long. It's so light! And the battery life is hours and hours longer than most laptops... depends of course on how you want to use whatever.

Oh, I love macs and am mostly on pcs - go figure ;)

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:55:38 +0000

It is like a religion, Gabriella. :) I'm happily not a convert to any particular system, but I'm familiar with Windows and do love the new platform. My husband spent years working on Macs. You couldn't give him one. He's spent too much work time recovering frozen data, fixing badly built machines, and getting the frowny face notice. LOL! Those were the days!

EP, that's very true. Lots of folks are jumping on the ebook craze (myself included). I just caution that publishing an ebook and having something to say shouldn't be mutually exclusive - seen too many instances of that! But you're right - get the website. Even a template-made one is better than no site at all.

By: EP

EP — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:20:48 +0000

Regarding online presence, although perhaps easier said than done (I haven't taken the leap yet), one "essential" I think will soon be standard will be publishing and marketing your own ebooks. The ebook reader craze is really just beginning and it appears to be way too easy to publish one's own work so, well, before long, one will.

By: Gabriella F.

Gabriella F. — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:39:29 +0000

Hi Lori.

This is a great discussion, and pitifully, I have yet to get a website. Really, I must get on that. I'm embarrassing myself!

As for PC/Mac, I agree it's like a religious discussion. I have Mac-crazy friends whom I tease about their evangelizing. But I think it's just a function of what you grew up with. If you started with a Mac, you're more likely to stay with it. If you started with a PC, you're less likely to switch to Mac. Just my humble opinion.

One thing about Apple products--the cost! I'd never shell out $1,700 for a computer these days. My neighbors, who are also small-business owners, all advocated that I get a cheap laptop because I'd want a new one in a few years.

I took their advice and ended up with a Toshiba laptop about 1.5 years ago. I even took a chance on a reconditioned one. It's filled with features I wouldn't have paid for--like incredible speed and a webcam--but I'm now glad I have. And I got it for about 2/3 of the cost, about $600 out the door. I've been happy as a clam since.

I also have an all-in-one printer/fax/scanner, and it was cheap, too. $150 or something thereabouts. Been really helpful.

Great discussion!