Web Worker Emergency Survival Kit
Despite our best plans, things go wrong in the real world. Laptops break down. Client computers get infected with viruses and worms. DVDs get stuck in drives. Internet connections die due to ISP incompetence. The list goes on from there.
Over the years, I’ve accumulated a variety of tools that don’t take up much space but that come in handy when an emergency comes along. On the average day, I don’t need any of these – but when I do, I’m happy to have them. Here are my suggestions for the web worker emergency survival kit:
A Backup Connection: Call me a cynic, but I’ve never yet had a way to get online that had universal coverage or 100% uptime. Over the years I’ve used everything from dialup accounts to satellite telephone to fill in the inevitable gaps, and been glad to pay for the insurance.
A Live CD: If your own laptop suddenly refuses to boot, it’s nice to be able to get into a familiar computing environment rather than taking luck of the draw with whatever your client has on site. This is simplest if you’re a Linux user, where you have everything from Knoppix to Ubuntu CDs to choose from. Windows users can use BartPE to build their own Live CD. (Mac users don’t get to play in this game, since you can’t boot OS X on random white box PCs).
A USB Key: Yes, we’ve all got them – but what to put on them? If you’re in the Windows world, you’ll want some antivirus and spyware scanning apps; choose your favorites from the many out there. For diagnosing issues on networks and machines, many of the tools on the Insecure.org list come in handy (this list covers all the major operating systems). I also carry a list of my credit card numbers together with the customer service numbers to cancel them, and a list of installation keys and download URLs for my purchased software applications; thus, my USB key is backup for lost wallet or crashed hard drive. But if you build such a list, be sure to encrypt it, just in case you lose the USB key!
A Multitool: Fixing computers, opening those awful clamshell packages, sharpening pencils, getting at batteries that need to be changed – I end up using my multitool very frequently. I’m partial to the Leatherman Wave myself, but if you dislike the utility belt look and don’t have a computer bag or purse to chuck a tool into there are plenty of other alternatives, from keychain models like the Leatherman Micra to Toollogic’s line of credit card tools to the Cybertool series of Swiss Army knives.
A Credit Card: With a decent sized open credit line, that is. Face it, sometimes there are problems where spending money really is the best solution. It’s tough to find yourself in a situation where you really need to have a new portable DVD burner overnighted to you at a remote client location – but even tougher to be in that situation and have no way to make it happen.
What’s in your emergency survival kit, to get you through those tough situations when you’re stranded in a strange coffeeshop and have to survive with only your wits and the contents of your laptop bag?
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1. Power adapter with extension cord – for those hard to reach outlets
2. Extra battery – when outlets aren’t available
3. Portable Hard Drive backup – with my Mac backed up using SuperDuper, I can use any Mac to boot off the back up and be up and running again–with my files and apps–in no time.
4. Parallels Desktop and Windows Vista – useful in more cases than just emergencies, but it’s definitely handy to be able to download and run a Windows-only app when there’s something you just have to do for a client (like, grr, deal with MS Publisher…)
Your Leatherman Wave link doesn’t go anywhere.
Might be a little too far but a while ago I got a 5 port 10/100 switch that can be powered from a USB port. Comes in handy for those times when there’s only a single ethernet port and you need to get several laptops connected. Often use it during meetings at client sites when their IT cannot patch in more sockets. It’s also a great talking point :)
Obviously I keep a few Cat5 cables with me as well.
Hm. Dunno what borked the Wave link. Try this one: Leatherman Wave
small torch – for plugging things into the back of PCs in dark, dusty corners
Large make-up brush for dusting machines when you open them up :-D Just feels cool ;-)
1. Know locations nearby with free or paid wi-fi where you can work when your ISP goes out. Test them ahead of time, so a stressful time is not further stressed by not being able to get online at your backup location.
2. Keep an older computer up to date as a backup just in case. Test it frequently.
3. Keep co-workers phone numbers & email addresses offline in case you need to contact them to tell them you will be offline until you get to a backup location.
this isn’t just for webworkers. i work for a private non-profit that helps people who can’t afford their heat and electric bills. our application is web based and our computers are decrepit. you wouldn’t believe what I have done to keep our stuff going. i’m a big fan of toothpics, dental floss and duct tape.
g.
http://www.buythatlocally.com
Multi tool and cat5 cable. The multi tool is from Alien though, it’s for my mountain bike. The allen wrench sizes match up well – small details on a bike derailer work on a lot of machines.
Oh and a card reader, I never had one when I needed it. Now I keep one in my briefcase and one at my desk. I also use a DiskGo! watch, a little dorky but I always have memory. The dork factor is erased by the Bond factor with its occasional public use.
Rather than carrying a LiveCD around, or even a laptop, sometimes all I need is a flash drive with the PortableApps suite. You can plug it into pretty much any PC and have access to a word processor, web browser, spreadsheet etc. I even installed a portable version of Audacity, so I can borrow a computer and do some audio editing on the go.
The most important bit of kit I use every day at work is a 2.5” 100GB USB portable hard drive. It gets power from the USB port itself, so no external power supply is required. I’ve got on there Thinstall versions of Office, Nero and other utils (Thinstall virtualises a program so you can run it on any PC without installing it or leaving any kind of footprint). Also got a Virtual PC image of a clean Windows XP install which is great for testing. Most importantly though, this HD holds my collection of MP3s which has definitely helped me though the day on several occasions!!!