On the road again, a guide to being a digital nomad

While I may not be a digital nomad in the strict sense of the term, I still like to dream as I move between bases in Sydney, the NSW Central Coast, and wherever else I may go.

And sometimes it seems that my laptop (together with a wireless internet connection), and a mobile phone – probably the most basic requisites of digital nomadism – are the only constants in my sometimes wondering life.

But they are just about all I need – aside from (preferably) a roof over my head, and a power supply – to maintain my productivity.

What on Earth is a digital nomad though?

Here’s how Richard Vader, who calls himself “an active Digital Nomad”, decribes it:

A Digital Nomad is a person who works from wherever he/she wants, be it an airport, hotel, plane, restaurant, coffee shop or even while traveling. Digital Nomads use digital camera’s, laptops, notebooks, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA’s), and smart phones in combination with the many web-based services through Internet access points (like WiFi hot spots) to make money while traveling.

He adds:

A Digital Nomad, like traditional/conventional Nomads, relies upon an infrastructure of interconnected resource points, communication tools and transport solutions for survival and maintenance of lifestyle.

How does a digital nomad work while on the move?

Tech writer Mike Elgan’s description of a recent holiday that in-fact was not a holiday offers a pretty good insight:

In August I took a monthlong vacation to Central America, backpacking from one Mayan ruin to the next, and I never officially took time off. I submitted my columns, provided reports and other input, participated in conference calls and interacted via e-mail. I used hotel Wi-Fi connections and local cybercafes to communicate and Skype to make business calls. Nobody knew I was sunburned, drinking from a coconut and listening to howler monkeys as I replied to their e-mails.

How does one become a digital nomad then?

Setting yourself up as a digital nomad is relatively easy says Elgan, who outlines five essential steps :

• Replace your desktop PC with a notebook.
• Buy a phone that does everything, think Android, iPhone, and the like.
• Accessorise your phone so that it can be used as a computer (fold-up keyboards, extra memory, etc).
• Think “business continuity”, as a CIO would. Ensure your data is backed up and your computer, etc, are secure.
• Embrace VoIP applications such as Skype.

Connectivity, and how good is Wi-Fi?

While I’m sure Wi-Fi services in most places are ok, I don’t think it’s wise to depend on them 100 per-cent, particularly if you have work to do.

Jeffrey Zeldman, who works while travelling on the train, offers some sage advice: buy a dongle.

For the $60/month I pay Verizon, I can connect my laptop to the internet from any train, bus, boat, lounge, lobby, conference room, coffee shop, or just about any other environment to which modern business takes me.

I have several dongles, or USB modems, each with a different telecommunications carrier. Provided I am in a coverage area, and the wireless services are working, I’m ready to go at anytime.

As an added bonus I can work where I want, rather than at someone else’s place. I’m not always at my most productive in crowded and noisy cafes, especially when the staff may be encouraging me to move on.

If however your wireless providers are down, then perhaps you can think about finding a Wi-Fi connection.

Some extra tips and advice

• Carry spare phone, camera, and computer batteries, which are always fully charged.
• Set up accounts with a couple of wireless broadband suppliers if possible.
• Establish a regular backup routine. Try to have two copies of backed up files, and keep them in separate locations if possible.
• Be aware of the location of local Wi-Fi hotspots should your own wireless internet connections not be working.