working from home

[hollym]

I may be able to work at home. BUT, the question is: Can you send CAD files via wireless broadband? I don't have DSL capability where I live, but can get a great connection for Sprint network. The files are usually 10MB or less, which of course I'd have to monitor my useage since the mobile broadband only allows 5GB per month.

 

I also have the option of using WildBlue. But our IT guy says that the lag time for sending files would be a long wait. I don't mind waiting, or working in the evenings to send everything, just want to make sure they would go eventually, not drop entirely!

 

Also, would something like ShareFile help me?

 

But if any of you have any experience with this, please share it. I'm trying to research what is possible and haven't really worked outside of an office before.

 

Thank you very much in advance,

 

hollym

[Tankman]

I have been working from home since '95. Sending *.dwg and *.pdf files has never been a problem.

 

Most are sent via cable modem however, at times were sent wireless broadband.

 

I did try to send files most often late nights or early mornings when wireless were less busy.

 

Welcome to the forums and, good luck. Once you adapt, you'll enjoy working in your PJ's!

[ReMark]

On the occassions I work at home and need to send files (via broadband) I've never encountered a problem. However, the file sizes I deal with are more in the 250-375KB range and not 10MB.

 

I see you're a newbie. Welcome to the CADTutor forum. Glad to have you join us. What field are you working in?

[mrbucket]

The only issue I can see you having is dropped info from lost packets OR lost connection from service. If your serious about it, approach Sprint about the specifics. They might be able to get you a dedicated setup for business. Alot of folks work from their laptops in the field and use the same service to broadcast and receive.

[hollym]

Thank you for the welcome. I have been around, but usually read and learn!

 

I draw and design playgrounds, also do a little bit of site work for the equipment my company sells.

 

I'm revisiting some of the drawings, most of them are not 10MB, but occasionally one is very large.

 

Thank you for your information. I was concerned that maybe 5GB per month would not be enough, or that the files would transmit too slowly and drop.

 

hollym

[hollym]

The only issue I can see you having is dropped info from lost packets OR lost connection from service. If your serious about it, approach Sprint about the specifics. They might be able to get you a dedicated setup for business. Alot of folks work from their laptops in the field and use the same service to broadcast and receive.

 

 

Thank you. What is a dedicated setup? All Sprint seems to be offering in my area is wireless broadband 3G.

 

As a rule I send our salesmen a pdf copy of the drawing, not the CAD file itself. But I do need to file my work on the main server in a different city, which right now I do from an office in town over T-111 cable internet. So if necessary, I could always burn the drawings to be filed to a disk, take them somewhere and send them for a small fee.

 

Thanks a lot, hopefully I will learn something from ya'll.

 

hollym

[SuperCAD]

Another option is to go to a place that offers free wireless internet and send them from their. A lot of cafes and restaurants have a wireless service that you can use either on lunch or break. That's what I did for a year when I was working from home. I spent all day in a coffee shop working on my laptop. I was there so much that their router didn't even ask me to log in, it just recognized my computer and let me use it for free (thus bypassing the $2/hr purchase requirement for net use).

[mrbucket]

Thank you. What is a dedicated setup? All Sprint seems to be offering in my area is wireless broadband 3G.

 

As a rule I send our salesmen a pdf copy of the drawing, not the CAD file itself. But I do need to file my work on the main server in a different city, which right now I do from an office in town over T-111 cable internet. So if necessary, I could always burn the drawings to be filed to a disk, take them somewhere and send them for a small fee.

 

Thanks a lot, hopefully I will learn something from ya'll.

 

hollym

 

You can get an adapter for your laptop or desktop, it runs with your account. But you could probably get a specific line for it. No issues with your phone bandwidth.

 

Something like this....

http://www.netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways/3GMobileBroadband/MBR624GU.aspx

[Tankman]

Holly, where are you posting from? Might help to find a carrier.

[Cad64]

Your IT guy needs to set this up. He needs to give you access to the server so you can transfer files back and forth. You should not have to do anything on your end other than set up the connection on your computer.

[Eatonpcat]

10 MB file of a playground... That place must be laid out!!!

I want to be a kid again!!

 

Anyway, I can send 10 - 15 MB files from my house without a problem (cable modem). Just takes some time to send!!

[hollym]

Holly, where are you posting from? Might help to find a carrier.

 

Texas, north of San Antonio. It seems like there are many options for wireless broadband where I live now. That wasn't the case a few years ago.

 

Thanks to all of you for your help! I shared the information with my boss and she is going to look into it further and talk it over with the IT person. Cross your fingers and wish me luck!

 

P.S. the only files that get to 10MB are the ones that I get from architects to place equipment into. That said, we do create some killer playgrounds! They are NOTHING like what I had as a kid!

 

hollym

[mrbucket]

I would like to see such things, could you post some things?

[Eatonpcat]

I would like to see such things, could you post some things?

 

 

Me Too!!!!!!

[hollym]

I'd love to show you some things. I will ask my boss if it's okay to post them next time I talk to her. Thank you!

 

I do have a very fun job come to think of it

[Cad64]

Just Google "Playground Equipment" and check out the images. We use a lot of this stuff in the tot lots we put in parks.

[mrbucket]

Just Google "Playground Equipment" and check out the images. We use a lot of this stuff in the tot lots we put in parks.

 

I could google hot girls too, but I would rather have one in person, if you know what I mean.:wink:

[Cad64]

Sorry dude. Just trying to be helpful. :wink:

[mrbucket]

Sorry dude. Just trying to be helpful. :wink:

 

Oh no, Im sorry, I didnt mean it like that. Its just cool to see someone elses work and what is being used to accomplish it.

[Glen Smith]

Don't forget that you may not always have to send everything back to the home office all the time. You could always save to your local machine and send in ZIP files. You may also be able to go into the office once a week and use the office bandwidth.

 

In fact I think (my personal opinion) that you should make a point of being in the office on a regular basis. The last thing that you want to happen is for your boss to forget what you look like. Completed work does not magically appear on the server, there is a human that is associated with that employee number. When the next round of layoffs happen - you do not want to be the easy one to chop.

 

Don't ask me how I know this.

 

Glen