vactaion?

**Jason** · 06-12-2006, 10:26 AM

So for those here that run their own business, how do you handle vacations? Do you hirer someone to fill in? Do you just stay local?

Geekgirl · 06-12-2006, 11:13 AM

I work out of my home, less overhead. Last year we went to S.C. and was gone for 10 days , checked my messages daily. Returned any calls I had and even gave phone support which solved their issue. The way I feel about it is if they like your services they will call back.

MoralTerror · 06-18-2006, 08:56 AM

I'm just starting out in business on my own and I wondered did you feel that interrupted your vacation Geekgirl?? Did you get cries of protest from family when you had to check messages?

Geekgirl · 06-18-2006, 09:04 AM

No I didnt feel it interrupted anything. And nobody complained about me checking messages.

MoralTerror · 06-18-2006, 09:15 AM

Thanks Geekgirl I can look forward to my first vacation now

Geekgirl · 06-18-2006, 09:22 AM

Hope you have a relaxing vacaton

Have fun

**Jason** · 06-19-2006, 12:47 PM

I think its one of the hardest things for business owners to do. I know I worry about the websites when I'm at work, let along gone for a few days.

**cjessee** · 06-19-2006, 01:38 PM

I know that when I go on vacation, I am sure to check the hotel for high speed internet. I then either VPN into the client or use some type of remote assistance program. I am currently using www.logmeinrescue.com for my remote program. It allows for access across nearly all OSs and is fairly easy for the end user to activate. VNC and some others will work also..

This especially paid off on the last trip because one of our shoddy servers decided it wanted to act up (well, not the server, but the POS software running on it)... and I was able to log in and fix the problem within 30 minutes... otherwise, I would have been returning home early as it was a production/client server.

Advice for going on the road:

1. Remote access
2. Check your email and messages
3. High speed internet access
4. Have a cocktail by the pool

MoralTerror · 06-19-2006, 03:22 PM

Thanks you lot, my business is reallly new and I've not planned any vacations yet, well throwing a few ideas around with the kids but we got kennels too so it's difficult. These ideas make the IT side more pallatable though I was thinking I would need to hire someone to take care of that side. Pity I can't VPN to clean kennels and walk and feed the dogs

Deja-vue · 07-12-2006, 10:21 PM

I go to Germany every other year and have a Employee do the emergency-calls.
I do take a Laptop with me and can connect remotely to the Servers of my Customers in case things are on "Fire".

Skie · 07-13-2006, 01:26 PM

Vacation? What's that?

When I do travel, I make sure the hotel (or where ever I'm staying) has high speed internet. I take my laptop with me and login to my servers via SSH (Linux servers) or to the web based help desk that I have setup. Even when I'm in my office, I do everything remotely since I'm in Chicago and my servers are in Dallas. I don't have to check my email on a regular basis since I have text messages sent to my phone whenever a support ticket is opened/replied to. In rare cases where I'm away from the computer can't get to it in time, I can always call the data center and have one of their guys do a server reboot if that's all that's needed.

I'll be taking my first real vacation in over 4 years where I won't have access a computer OR the internet for an extended period of time. OMG, the withdrawls!

While I'm gone, I'll have to trusted friends watching things for me. Luckily, the support level is very minimal, so things should go smoothly.

**PanamaGal** · 07-14-2006, 12:57 AM

When we travel, we have our business calls forwarded to our cell phone. Sometimes calls come at inconvenient times, but I think our customers appreciate that we do answer, or return their calls as soon as possible, instead of just letting them hang. Sometimes they are issues we can help them with over the phone, and they like that we are available. I think it helps us keep customers. Most appreciate that we deserve a vacation, too, and they usually wait until we return unless it's an emergency. We usually let our better business customers know we'll be away and try to resolve any issues before we leave.

~~Meztiso~~ · 08-05-2006, 10:09 PM

Answering the phone is sometimes more important than fixing the computer.

Techgal · 08-06-2006, 07:48 AM

I have a business partner and was hoping that he could cover whilst I go on holiday and vice versa. It is very difficult to "let go" especially as I now have a BlackBerry to pick up emails on the move!

06-12-2006, 10:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jason Faugh a ballagh Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pasco, FL Posts: 8,477 OS: Windows Vista My System Blog Entries: 2	vactaion? So for those here that run their own business, how do you handle vacations? Do you hirer someone to fill in? Do you just stay local? __________________ Posting Tips \| Advice for New People \| Common Fixes \| Agus na damnaithe fágtha gan focal Glaoigh ormsa i measc na naomh

06-12-2006, 11:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,186 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	I work out of my home, less overhead. Last year we went to S.C. and was gone for 10 days , checked my messages daily. Returned any calls I had and even gave phone support which solved their issue. The way I feel about it is if they like your services they will call back. __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

06-18-2006, 09:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,186 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	No I didnt feel it interrupted anything. And nobody complained about me checking messages. __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

06-18-2006, 09:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,186 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	Hope you have a relaxing vacaton Have fun __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

06-19-2006, 12:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jason Faugh a ballagh Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pasco, FL Posts: 8,477 OS: Windows Vista My System Blog Entries: 2	I think its one of the hardest things for business owners to do. I know I worry about the websites when I'm at work, let along gone for a few days. __________________ Posting Tips \| Advice for New People \| Common Fixes \| Agus na damnaithe fágtha gan focal Glaoigh ormsa i measc na naomh

06-18-2006, 08:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
MoralTerror Analyst, Security Team Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,968 OS: xp	I'm just starting out in business on my own and I wondered did you feel that interrupted your vacation Geekgirl?? Did you get cries of protest from family when you had to check messages?

06-18-2006, 09:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
MoralTerror Analyst, Security Team Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,968 OS: xp	Thanks Geekgirl I can look forward to my first vacation now

06-19-2006, 01:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
cjessee Uh oh. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 794 OS: Windows NT/2000/XP, Dictaphone, Windows 2003 Server	VPN or remote assistance I know that when I go on vacation, I am sure to check the hotel for high speed internet. I then either VPN into the client or use some type of remote assistance program. I am currently using www.logmeinrescue.com for my remote program. It allows for access across nearly all OSs and is fairly easy for the end user to activate. VNC and some others will work also.. This especially paid off on the last trip because one of our shoddy servers decided it wanted to act up (well, not the server, but the POS software running on it)... and I was able to log in and fix the problem within 30 minutes... otherwise, I would have been returning home early as it was a production/client server. Advice for going on the road: 1. Remote access 2. Check your email and messages 3. High speed internet access 4. Have a cocktail by the pool

06-19-2006, 03:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
MoralTerror Analyst, Security Team Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,968 OS: xp	Thanks you lot, my business is reallly new and I've not planned any vacations yet, well throwing a few ideas around with the kids but we got kennels too so it's difficult. These ideas make the IT side more pallatable though I was thinking I would need to hire someone to take care of that side. Pity I can't VPN to clean kennels and walk and feed the dogs

07-12-2006, 10:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
Deja-vue Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Long Beach, California Posts: 73 OS: Server2003/2008/XP/VISTA/Linux My System	I go to Germany every other year and have a Employee do the emergency-calls. I do take a Laptop with me and can connect remotely to the Servers of my Customers in case things are on "Fire". __________________ Microsoft Certified System Administrator

07-13-2006, 01:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
Skie Manager, Alternative Comp Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Chicago burbs Posts: 2,194 OS: Gentoo Linux, CentOS, OS X My System	Vacation? What's that? When I do travel, I make sure the hotel (or where ever I'm staying) has high speed internet. I take my laptop with me and login to my servers via SSH (Linux servers) or to the web based help desk that I have setup. Even when I'm in my office, I do everything remotely since I'm in Chicago and my servers are in Dallas. I don't have to check my email on a regular basis since I have text messages sent to my phone whenever a support ticket is opened/replied to. In rare cases where I'm away from the computer can't get to it in time, I can always call the data center and have one of their guys do a server reboot if that's all that's needed. I'll be taking my first real vacation in over 4 years where I won't have access a computer OR the internet for an extended period of time. OMG, the withdrawls! While I'm gone, I'll have to trusted friends watching things for me. Luckily, the support level is very minimal, so things should go smoothly. __________________

07-14-2006, 12:57 AM	#12 (permalink)
PanamaGal Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Panama Posts: 1,240 OS: WinXP Pro SP2; Windows Server 2003; Windows Vista Ultimate; Vista Business	When we travel, we have our business calls forwarded to our cell phone. Sometimes calls come at inconvenient times, but I think our customers appreciate that we do answer, or return their calls as soon as possible, instead of just letting them hang. Sometimes they are issues we can help them with over the phone, and they like that we are available. I think it helps us keep customers. Most appreciate that we deserve a vacation, too, and they usually wait until we return unless it's an emergency. We usually let our better business customers know we'll be away and try to resolve any issues before we leave. __________________ It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.

08-05-2006, 10:09 PM	#13 (permalink)
~~Meztiso~~ Register user Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 341 OS: WinXP Home	I agree... Answering the phone is sometimes more important than fixing the computer.

08-06-2006, 07:48 AM	#14 (permalink)
Techgal Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 19 OS: Windows XP	I have a business partner and was hoping that he could cover whilst I go on holiday and vice versa. It is very difficult to "let go" especially as I now have a BlackBerry to pick up emails on the move!