Questions about software and equipment for
the home office
What
software do I need to work at home?
The software you need depends on the type
of work you want to do. Research your field to find out what
software is being used. Job ads are a good place to check.
For word processing, most companies use
Microsoft Word, although some transcription and publication
firms use WordPerfect.
For data entry, you will likely need Microsoft
Excel and/or Access.
For proofreading/editing, you may need Quark
and will probably need to be familiar with various style manuals.
You will want the version that is most commonly
in use, which is usually the most recent, unless a new version
has just been released.
What
does it cost to set up as a telecommuter?
That will depend on what equipment you already
have in your home. You will need a high end computer system,
Printer, internet access, email, and an additional phone line
is recommended.
I
like to try programs before I buy them. Where can I get them
for free?
Many times on the manufacturer's web site
there will be a demo download you can use for a limited amount
of time usually with restrictions. It will give you the basic
idea of what the program is capable of.
Where
can I buy software at a reasonable price?
Check the online auctions for good deals
on new software. Be sure the seller has lots of positive feedback
and responds to your queries satisfactorily.
Will
I need to update my software skills?
The more skills you have and excel at, the
more marketable you will be.
If your only skills are typing and data
entry, and your software knowledge is limited, you might want
to consider improving them or learning a new skill.
Check out the job ads to see what the requirements
are for positions that interest you.
You should familiarize yourself with all
aspects of the internet (search engines, newsgroups, bulletin
boards and chat rooms) and know how to fully use your email
program. Learn how to use attachments, transfer files, etc.
There are free resources online for learning.
Try our own Free Online
Tutorials Section for lots of great free courses.
What
hardware do I need to have?
Essential is a PC capable of running
all the software you need.
Printer - Color inkjet
printers are relatively inexpensive and provide good quality.
But a high quality laser printer will allow you to handle
many different tasks, such a mail merges and letter campaigns,
that an inkjet printer will never do well enough.
Modem - the faster the
better. Some telecommuting jobs even require you to have a
cable or DSL modem.
Phone - Check with your
phone company to see what services they offer that would best
suit your needs and budget. You might find a second line,
caller ID, or other services useful. Some jobs also require
a second phone line.
Fax - A stand-alone fax
machine is nice to have (plain paper is better than thermal),
but you can get by using your fax/modem to start with.
Eventually, you might want to add other
equipment, such as a scanner, desktop photocopier, etc.
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