Publish at April 24 2007 Updated June 23 2022
For several months now, the Thot editorial team has been working together over the Atlantic.
On Mondays and Tuesdays each week, we spend several hours a day in "telepresence" mode, that is, with the camera and sound open at all times on our respective computers.
As we each have broadband and an annual subscription to iChat, we enjoy a stable, quality transmission. But we could also go through Skype or another such service.
A dog is barking in Bordeaux and it echoes through the office in Quebec City. The municipal (snow) blower goes by on the street in Quebec City and it's cooler in the Bordeaux office.
Productivity
Beyond the anecdotes, this mode of operation brings us many benefits. Mutually we found that we were more productive in telepresence mode than alone.
As we have already worked together for a few weeks in the same office, we can compare: telepresence gives pretty much the same connivance as when we were physically present with the added bonus of being able to mute the sound when the phone rings or share links and documents almost instantly.
Telepresence is also significantly more interesting than working in two adjoining offices, which we also experienced.
Differences
The main difference with being in the same physical space is that we are not behind each other or even next to each other but facing each other and none of the other's reactions escape us: concentration, pleasure, difficulty, frustration, contentment and even absence.
Don't think it's intrusive, it isn't. Generally we only exchange grunts and the clicking of the keyboard. It is the spontaneous interventions that are interesting: I have an idea, did you see this, I think that, I finished this, what do you think about, how would you translate, ... this kind of comments. As we see the other, communication is easy and effortless.
Presence
Even with six hours of time difference, the two to three hours we spend together each week allows us to maintain a quality of rapport within our organization itself.
The fact that we can each work on our own cases but in concert and live is a mutual enrichment.
I also sometimes use telepresence on specific cases with others, for short periods of time, but being able to do so extensively, without any consideration of cost, is definitely an experience to be encouraged.
For workers who are physically isolated with technology, in addition to the gains in productivity and quality, those around enjoyment of life and joy at work are as much if not more appreciable.
Some technologies:
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