Indeed, and how much fuel and pollution it would save from people not having to commute every day.
Also, working from home doesn't guarantee that you will be working the same hours . I know a few people that are expected to work extra hours because they have more free time from not commuting.
That's a silly thing to stand for
But from a long-term sustainability stand-point, we want to grow local tech companies that contribute to our own economy and give us control over our city's well-being. It would be interesting if a bunch of you who telecommute could band together to start a company. Seems like you already get along well outside of work
The flexibility will make social life more interesting instead of less.
Another good thing would be that you can move to any nice place you want, instead of being bound geographically to the (usually expensive and small) homes in the area around your workplace.
They call it your social life for a reason.
I for one love not being constantly yipped at while deep in though about what I'm being paid to do, then going and doing what I want, when I want, with people I actually like.
I think the typical startup lifestyle changes this a bit, though. We who run startups( generally )don't work 40 hour weeks, and if you're even a bit extroverted, chances are you're going to need to "get energy" from social interaction with your coworkers, since time to do this outside the office is fairly limited.
With the standard introvert archetype, this is likely a non-issue. My money is on samtp being an extrovert, and you( and I )not capable of empathizing with the odd need they have for such interaction.
I just don't find the pleasure of talking with someone compatible with parts of my job. The other parts it works wonderfully with.
You think long hours are unique to the startup world? You can have a social life and work long hours. You just have to intentionally do it. IMO its a sign of maturity and adulthood.
I think you need all the different elements in your life, but it is often most effective to combine different needs together (such as socializing with work friends or helping social friends with a work project). It offers opportunities to make more meaningful friendships and a better work environment.
Then I turn off the skype chat and knock out a iPhone app when it's time to stop chit chatting.
I also help setup NSLunches in Atlanta with other iOS people and setup lunches around town with various other folks.
I don't think online communication and in-person communication are identical, but depending on the person, they aren't necessarily better/worse. The people I know the best personally are people with whom I talk at least semi-regularly via all three of: IRL, real-time text chat, and email; and who are themselves also at least somewhat "fluent" in all three media. Some of my closest friends are people I see occasionally irl but often online, so I'm not sure it even correlates that well (at least for me). You get different sides of a person via each of them I find. Some people are of course much stronger at one or another one. There are some people where if I were required to only interact with them face-to-face it'd be weird; and other people where if I were required to interact with them only online it'd be weird.