Telecommuting: Is it better to work from home?

Think about your work environment. Now take a look at the picture to the right and think about how much more work you could get done if that was your desk; at your home. Would your stress be reduced? Would you be able to focus more on the projects you're working on? Would the elimination of typical "office" distractions actually allow you to become a better employee to your company? Obviously, this is from an office-type job(like mine) perspective.

If you've answered yes to those questions, then it's very possible that telecommuting is perfect for you. However, is it also perfect for your employer? This debate has gone on for years in many corporations that seem to have a hard time letting go of their old-fashioned beliefs that are based around the "perception is reality" philosophy.

Compassion

So today, I take a look at "Compassion". With the changing of the guard, so to speak, of this week's Presidential Inauguration and all of the changes taking place in Governmental Office as a result, I think that compassion is a fitting topic of choice.

"Compassion is the basis of morality."
-- Arnold Schopenhauer

"The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"Never apologize for showing feeling. When you do so, you apologize for the truth."
-- Benjamin Disraeli

Free Open Source Software

I am a firm believer that there is a high-quality (maybe even higher-quality), Free Open Source Software (FOSS) alternative for nearly every application that you've ever spent your hard-earned money on. Think back to how many programs you've purchased (or had to pirate) in order to do simple, everyday tasks on your computer such as write a letter, create a spreadsheet, listen to your MP3s, watch a DVD, edit an image or photo, etc. What fun and useful things could you buy if you had all of that money back. All of those $9.99, $19.99, an $29.99 programs that you've downloaded or purchased from your local department store generally have Open Source alternatives that you can download and use for no cost at all.

But can a free (as in beer) software package really match the quality of something that you pay money for?