Working from Home During Covid-19
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic many of us have had to migrate from the office to our homes for work. With such a change, naturally, comes difficulty and discomfort. One of the many things we attempt to achieve is easing your stress when it comes to matters of IT and helping you understand the issue and to prevent it happening in the future (to the best of our ability). Some of the most common issues being faced by users are: internet reliability and speed; the way your tech is set up and video chat platforms (MS Teams and Zoom, namely).
Internet is a huge issue for most. Speeds are slow and networks are up and down. A major issue is the unreliability of your network. This means that your signal is strong in one room and then weak in the next. Unfortunately, there isn’t too much you can do to fix this on the cheap. You can use Ethernet cables to give you a wired connection straight to the laptop or workstation. The downside to that however, is that you cannot move your laptop or workstation and you have to be relatively close to your router/modem. To bypass all of this you can buy a new router or modem. These aren’t cheap and usually cost around $100-$200. Below are some links:
If your internet speeds are slow there are a few things you can try. You can try re-starting your modem/router. This at times can prove to be quite useful and can save you the headache of shopping around or calling your network provider. Another thing to consider is that during this time more people are using the internet. During a pandemic where everyone is stuck at home internet usage skyrockets. This in turn can cause speeds, on average to be much slower than the pre-COVID-19 speeds you are used too.
When it comes to home IT setups, it can be quite challenging to replicate what you had in the office. This can cause your mind and body to become confused and uncomfortable. Think about your setup at home, then think how comfortable you are with it and if there is anything you can use to improve your experience throughout such turbulent times. For example; I have a friend who works in management at UNSW. He is unable to work in his office so he works from home. His setup is, his laptop, his chair from the office, a lamp and a simple Kmart desk. Obviously this is quite simple and won’t be enough for everyone. When his back hurts or wrists cramp he goes for a walk around the house or does some stretches. This allows the muscles to relax and helps ensure an easier, comfortable work-from-home experience. Below are some links:
Working with applications such as Microsoft teams, google hangouts or zoom can have their challenges. Especially seeming as everyone has a different level of tech knowledge. Due to this it is vital to be empathetic and patient with your work colleagues and even family. Video and audio problems are ever present. To combat these issues, you could invest in a webcam and external microphone. As well as this you can get and all in one, headset. These are both, typically, noise cancelling headphones and a microphone in one. Below are some links:
Remember to be patient throughout such turbulent times and to be empathetic towards others. Times like these test the human character and it is important to stay true to yourself and stay present. Best of luck with working from home and self-isolation!
We are open and are able to answer any questions or queries you may have. You can contact us here.
Special thanks to New York Times, Australian Financial Review and Smart Company for aiding us with vital technological information and ever current updates.