I’m determined to abandon software by running my business with online tools and Web 2.0 applications, and it didn’t take long to find I’m not the only one experimenting with working 100% from the Web.
In no particular order, here are the top posts and articles I’ve found on the topic (so far):
Online Tools for Working Abroad
Danny hit the beach last month and is working 100% Web (including phone and mail). His goal is to move freely from beach to beach, access everything from Internet cafes, and have insurance in case his laptop disappears. This list includes detailed explanations and screenshots for each Web application.
Tools For The Mobile Office
This is a relatively short list of online business tools, but it’s worth listing because Brick compares his favorites to what Danny (above) and Computerworld’s Mike Elgan are using. They are unanimous on some (photo storage and snail mail) and totally disagree on others (data storage, meetings, personal finance, and to do lists). Food for thought…
More Tools For A LIP (Location Independent Professional) Business
Lea offers a concise list of the web applications she uses for business operations while she and her husband travel around the world. As you read, be sure to note which Web apps she’s phasing out and why.
Online Business Toolbox: 230+ Tools for Running a Business Online
Whoa! Cameron compiled an alarmingly comprehensive list of web applications suitable for running a small to medium-sized business. Everything from Accounting to Virtual Office is listed here, including “industry-specific” options for real estate and retail management. FYI: I counted 237
The Freelancer’s Toolset: 100 Web Apps for Everything You Will Possibly Need
Yoav collected a hecto-list of web applications that has few in common with Cameron’s 230+ (above). He appear to have a looser definition of “web application”—Web services like Moo are included—but it’s still a wide and wonderful list of what the Web offers to microbusinesses like ours. Be sure to read all the way to the end, commenters contributed some useful links.
And an extra that’s only a little off topic:
Putting Together A Portable Office That You Can Take With You Anywhere You Go
Another from Lea—this is her tried and true list of bits and pieces you’ll need for a fully-functioning on-the-go office, whether you’re using software or web applications.
Great post. Thanks for the links to these awesome resources. I’ve experimented with doing something like this myself. My company uses vTigerCRM for tracking customer data, the tools produced by 37Signals for collaboration (BaseCamp is great), and are considering abandoning Office for OpenOffice. Microsoft is rich enough…
Hi Kyle — Glad these were helpful! I truly enjoy using 37Signals apps. Their robust stuff is what started me thinking I could do without software.
I don’t mind giving Microsoft money (I spent years earning money by supporting their products), but software in general is just so expensive and immobile. And with so many effective and affordable online apps…why bother?
That said, I’d be interested in your opinion of OpenOffice…
Looking forward to it,
Crystal
Great post, thanks for all the useful links. I work away a lot chasing various property deals so these resources will certainly help me out.
Emilie–Thanks, and my pleasure! My new favorites are I Want Sandy in combo with Jott, which enable reminders you can get to (and that can get to you) in a host of ways.
Maybe they’d be useful to you while you’re away chasing? Going NoWare: My Opposite-of-Mobile Office
Excellent post. These are very useful. I’ve bookmarked them for reading this week. Stumbled, too!
Howdy Joy, and welcome!
Many thanks for the kudos and the Stumble
I haven’t written for this series in a long while, so there will be more Going Noware articles in the next two weeks.
Thanks again!
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We’ve tried Basecamp before and it wasn’t the right fit for our account team, but we love HiseRise – it is a wonderful CMS system to track deals, calls, history, and more.
Very good article. I’d like to put some of your point of view to my blog. Thanks again for sharing.
Working with online tools certainly offers more flexibility
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Web applications are making freedom from a specific CPU a reality – but there still has to be some “web appliance” that provides the connectivity to the web. And while it can be smaller and more mobile – will that same web appliance provide the convenience that a desktop machine does?
If the personal web “desk top” can keep shortcuts to applications easy to get at – it makes goods sense and a good user experience.
another gem of web 2.0 , nice review
As web apps continue to improve Chris is right it will get to the point that static desktops will become a thing of the past. Working with online tools does add flexibility.
Thanks for great post & useful links. It will really help me
Hi! Very useful info! Stumbled it too
Thank you
Even a couple of months ago, I did not know there were so many opportunities online.
Currently I am earning quite handsome online, and of the tools featured here, I am using quite a few. They are all very nice tools, surely would help anyone into online jobs.
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Hey, thanks for sharing these links with everyone! Really appreciate it!
Good article! I was looking for articles about this and this sure helps! In my opinion the total offcie will go online and for way less money and it makes it easier and easier to take your work whereever you wanna go.
Great article, I will enjoy reading these…
Brilliant Article! – The Tools For The Mobile Office link is pretty bang on in my opinion. Thumbed up!
Nice read. Thanks for the list of tools. I personally have liked the list of tools for working abroad, as I have to work abroad a lot of times. Maybe these will save a lot of my time. Thanks again. Will visit your blog again.
I found the need for mobility when I was at a conference this weekend and had trouble finding a wifi connection. I will take your advice.
Great article! I’m amazed at how portable working can be now. Maybe I’ll try to show my boss this and he will let me work on the beach.
Great post and the day when we can be truly mobile and access software remotely on the move – even if the computer crashes no problem just access another one…true freedom but how near is this at present?
Look forward to seeing this actually become reality ..
Some great links there, especially the link to mashable – what a great article with lots of useful tools. Don’t think i’ll get round to trying them all but certainly worth a bookmark as a point of reference.
Wow! This article saved me valuable hours of hectic work! I have just bookmarked them, and I’m sure it will be of great help… Thanks a lot!