A flexible system for shifting work requirements

"Office in a bag" is an adaptation to work without a fixed office, where travel is frequent, or where connectivity is a recurrent issue. Basically it is centered on a laptop that has wireless ("wifi") capabilities and includes selected peripherals and whatever active files and production tools that are appropriate.

Typically my "office in a bag" includes the following equipment:

• Laptop (with power cord)
• External keyboard
• External mouse
• Earphone/microphone

The key to using the "office in a bag" is being able to identify locations with clean table spaces (ideally close to a free outlet), environment that is not too noisy or active, and wifi. The character of the wifi is a key issue - many locations provide this via a for-pay service (such as T-Mobile in the US), while others may advertise it but in practice it is not functioning.

Deploying an office in a bag and using it in a commercial or public space requires certain attention to the environment (consideration of others; respect of the business; security of one's equipment; etc.).