If you have a home business, you know how important it is to have a printer. And an all-in-one printer that can scan and fax as well is a definite bonus.

Over at Biz Chicks Rule, there is a contest for a brand new Epson all-in-one printer. Actually, there are two printers up for grabs. You have until Monday to head on over there and enter the contest.

One of the great things that technology has provided us with is the option to engage in working from home...while not at home.

Right now I am in New York for two weeks, visiting my husband's family. And thanks to the wonder of the laptop, and wireless Internet, I can get my work done while sitting on the couch at my in-laws'. It works pretty slick. I can still "visit" to a certain extent, and I'll get my work done, even though I'm not in my home office.

Do you use technology when working from home while away from home?

I enjoyed this UK Mac ad in which the PC suggests that the home be run more like an office. Hmmm....

Happy Friday!

When it comes to promoting your home business, it can help to have something unique and interesting. One idea is to give out digital keychains instead of the standard pens and magnets that other businesses use.

If you are ordering in bulk, it is possible to get wholesale prices on keychains, and many companies will also engrave the name of your home business (and maybe even a logo) on the back. Digital keychains are fun for the recipient, and they are useful. Take them to conferences and send them as gifts to regular clients.

Other unique ideas for promoting your home business include:

*Odd-sized business cards.
*Mousepads.
*Bookmarks.
*Re-usable shopping bags.

If you are looking for the lighting of a 40-watt bulb, but are concerned with making your home office a little greener, you might try this gravity powered lamp. I saw it over at My Organized Biz, and read about it in greater detail at Science Daily.

Hmmm...with Earth Day coming up in April, this might be just thing to spruce up your home office while being kind to the environment.

(Image credit: Clay Moulton)

I'm not sure whether any computer could stand up to this. But it is mildly amusing :o). Happy Friday!

Every now and again I come across something hilarious in terms of home office equipment. My latest favorite? The Hip Office. This contraption allows you to work on your laptop while standing. I suppose it might be useful, but if I leave my home office to do work on my laptop, I prefer to be sitting. Here is what engadget has to say about the Hip Office:

Yes, it's just the thing to match your loveless evenings alone, fluorescently lit cubicle, and unfashionable pleated pants. Watch out, cellphone holster.

If your home business requires you to make phone calls, you know how expensive that can get. Especially if, like me, you make a lot of international calls. One thing I did was sign up for Skype. This is a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) service that allows you to make rather inexpensive calls using the Internet. This can be a great help.

My landline has unlimited long distance calling in the U.S., but once I call overseas, it can cost between 10 and 50 cents a minute, depending on where I call. Skype is much, much cheaper. I use a headset that I plug into my computer to talk (and listen!), but there are plenty of other products as well. PC Magazine offers a rather helpful look at some of the VoIP products you can use to help your home business save money in the long run.

I think the refrigerator qualifies as the vending machine for a home office. However, there are times when the stock in your refrigerator does not match up to what a vending machine has to offer.

Medical Transcription: What's in it for you? tells us about "Hanging around the water cooler" in her home office. She has some great ideas.... especially the part about George Clooney. Yum!

'Oh, but I just thought of something else my home office needs now...a vending machine. I'll start small, maybe buy a bubble gum machine from the toy store, and then work my way up to a full-fledged vending machine with badonkadonk butt candy bars, little packs of musty potato chips, squishy sandwiches, maybe even packs of over-priced cigarettes for my husband. The vending machine would need someone to come and restock it regularly; I picture a handsome man, tall, a full head of wavy dark hair, a twinkle in his eyes. Yes, George Clooney would come by regularly to restock my vending machine. I'll put this on my goal-setting worksheet for the year."

I was completely shocked when my husband gave me my Christmas present. He bought me a laptop! I have wanted one for a very long time and couldn't have been more thrilled.

I think I am most excited about using it around my own home. Now I can sit outside and work while I keep an eye out on the kids playing. I can also sit in the family room and be near my family while I am doing a quick task or two. This way, I won't be confined to just one room.

Another thing I am looking forward to is leaving town and not getting unbearable computer withdrawl like I usually do! I will still try to take a vacation while on vacation, but at least I won't totally lose touch with cyberspace.

I had to take an abrupt break from work due to  two of my sons coming down with pneumonia. Even the laptop could not have helped with that. Sometimes you just have to put work on the backburner and take care of the most important things in your life such as your family. However, I am happy that my shiny new Christmas present can make work easier for me in many ways.

One of the things about working from home, especially if you have a home business, is that vacation time isn't always really vacation time. I know this. When I go to New York for two weeks every summer to visit my husband's parents, I still have work to do. But what helps me get through it is mobility.

From a cell phone that lets me check my email to a laptop that is wi-fi enabled, I can usually get my work done from anywhere. And when I'm traveling, one of the best places to get a jump on things is the airport, and even the airplane (even though I can't connect to the Internet while in a plane). Carefully consider you needs when working from home, and determine whether mobility solutions could help you.

This is the unofficial "Ask Kelly" section. I am interested in learning about our readers. This is a call for as much reader feedback as you can throw at me.

Here are some things that I would like to know:

1) What type of work from home job do you have?

2) How long have you been working from home?

3) Do you have your own business or do you telecommute for an employer?

4) What topics would you like to read about here?

5) Do you have a great work from home story to share?

6) What do you want to know that will help you with your business?

If you ask me to research a particular topic for you, I will! If you have something interesting to share, send me an email with the story and I might share it here. Now please, bombard me with your stories and your interests and let's get the unofficial "Ask Kelly" section started!

You can comment here and you can also send an email to me at kb@kellfinder.com. Thank you and I very much look forward to hearing from you.

One of the impressions that I get from the iPhone is that it is out to replace all of those little gadgets that we like to carry around with one ubergadget. But is it a good idea for your work from home business? As will all things new and hyped, it is a good idea to step back and take a breather. After all, the first returns of the iPhone began on the very day of its release (you know, wait in line for three days, get the iPhone at 6 a.m., return it by 3 p.m.).

Unfortunately, it may not be the best choice for your work from home business. After all, it won't really replace your laptop, since the screen is small. If all you need to do is keep up with emails, and be able to make phone calls, it's not so bad. But if you are creating presentations and writing a lot (like I am), then a laptop is still the winner for all-purpose. Plus you can still use a laptop on a plane.

Don't get me wrong. I think the iPhone looks great (once all the bugs are ironed out), but the iPhone service contract, which is a bear, is a total turnoff. And, unfortunately, I don't have the hacking skills to free an iPhone from the onerous service contract imposed by AT&T.

Julie found this really cool laptop bag from Tribbes.

She's got a knack for finding things that inspire beautiful living and an awesome design blog to go with her finds. Haven't I always said, going to work can be chic?

The bloggers at Design Boner are excited about this new Laptop Sleeve from Barry's Farm......

"I think this laptop sleeve is so very nerd chic. And it looks as if the pocket actually works!"

It's on sale here and is made of heavy duty vinyl and padded with 1/4 inch fabric backed foam. Might make good conversation for around the water cooler.

Workshak is designed to cover issues regarding home office and your personal workspace. Well, we've found that the future of computer workstations is here in the new ergonomic PCE. 

Inspired by workers and gamers and developed by ergonomic engineers this system will, no doubt, improve your productivity. It is a radical re-design of the personal workspace.....

"a modular and scalable platform that surrounds you with ultimate ergonomic, computing and entertainment solutions."

The bottom line here...good ergonomics means good economics, in other words, if your body feels good so will your business....

"PCE turns the idea of a computer station inside out, making you the comfortable centerpiece of an integrated digital command center, with high performance computing, gaming and entertainment technology at their fingertips."

OK, seriously, what will they think of next?

via cribcandy

I saw one of the coolest EVER clocks in my insurance agent’s office a year or so ago and the drool puddle is finally drying up.  When I first started looking for one, the price was $200’ish.  Now that it’s more affordable, I’ll put it on my birthday wish list.  Or Christmas list.  Or whatever list I need to write until I get one.

And oh baby baby… how about this fantastic item above?  My list is growing.  It's growing because I must have one of these too.  Have you seen my stapler?  He took my stapler.

To make other people immediately jealous, order any of these (and other) items from the ThinkGeek site.

If you are a realtor or have ever worked with a realtor you know how much their electronic devices mean to them. You would never even think of borrowing their phone, using their car, or talking to them while they are listening to voicemail messages, as they rely on them too much for their business. Needless to say, the bloggers at BlueRoof have written a post regarding a realtor's top 10 best friends, I mean gadgets, that they think are a definite must have to complete a successful transaction!

10- Advertising from your car

Realtors are famous for their ubiquitous vanity plates, window clings, and automobile advertising paint jobs, so why stop there? Having a scrolling message would bring attention and give you an adjustable ad everywhere you go.

9- GPS systems with traffic updates (Also see voice-activated and 3-D)

GPS systems are all over the place now and they’re getting cooler and easier, but getting traffic updates in real-time along with the navigation is awesome. Every agent who works with buyers knows the frustration of setting appointments in a sequence and then needing to call to push back appointments because you are running late. Voice Activated makes it easier to keep your eye on the road, and 3-D is just cool.

8- Color printers for your mobile phone

No more running to the office to print out some new flyers for your listing- just plug in your mobile phone and print them up- and how impressed will your clients be?

7- GPS on your mobile phone

Call in for directions or get GPS on your phone without the cumbersome extra equipment- you have your phone with you everywhere you go, and this way you can have GPS everywhere as well.

6-Reading your voice mail

Need to know when to pick up your kid but can’t stand hearing your ex’s voice? Get your voice mails as text messages on your mobile phone. Also good for scrolling through to get to the important messages when you’re busy.

5- Viral Marketing

Think of a television commercial that will run for years, reach a large audience, and does not cost you anything. Is that something you would consider doing?

4-Client motivation detectors

Ever put your ear up to the window after buyers leave your open house, trying to hear what they are saying about the house?

Here’s your spy gear to finally get the 411 *

3- One-Shot Virtual Tours

Create a virtual tour without being a photo-shop expert. Just one click captures a full virtual tour, ready to go. Save time, frustration, and the cost of the photographer.

2- Searchable Conversations

Ever heard the saying, “The longest memory isn’t as good as the shortest pencil”? Well, even better than a pencil is this little device that will record all of your conversations and let you search them. Remember all the details your client told you, laugh at the other agent with your co-workers after they have left the office, and improve your language skills.

1- Cup holders that do more

When you’re in real estate you live in your car, doing everything mobile. We are the most dangerous drivers on the road. Talking on our mobile phones while eating a cheeseburger and making a U-turn as we look for an address.

This is why when we shop for a new vehicle we don’t ask how fast it goes or care about the luggage space- we want to know three things- gas mileage, turning radius (for our U-turns, and how many cup holders does it have.

I find so many great articles that I refer to in my posts and it never fails that I'm craining my neck to read the tiny print as the article lays on the table next to my computer.  Con Con has come up with an ingenious device that would alleviate this problem.

The Workstation Display and Tray allows you to display pages at a comfortable angel and it is more stylish than anything I've seen at Office Depot. It is also multi-functional:

"turn the base around and create a tray that is perfectly shaped to rest comfortably and stably on your seated legs - perfect for a cup of tea or for a laptop".

They come in blue, orange, green or clear and cost $55. I'm going to get me one of these!

via cribcandy

The smartest new handsets are bringing communication and content all the way to our back pockets and CallWave is one of the applications helping people do some amazing things.  Most recently CallWave Mobile has developed a PC application that will allow tasks that are hard to do on your phone easy to do on your PC. Their service works with virtually any cell phone and network, whether your using a PC or a Mac and it's free.

This voicemail replacement solution for mobile phones is a lot like GotVoice according to the bloggers at Lifehacker.

"It does have more options and actually replaces your carrier's voicemail, meaning you'll get any voicemail via e-mail as soon as it's left." 

CallWave Mobile also allows you to respond to messages instantly with text reply and call back features.  The windows organizational features are very helpful allowing you to permanently save messages on your computer.

Now, if you're looking for a voicemail solution that offers a little more meat and a little more fun you might try checking out YouMail. Not only do they offer the same voicemail to e-mail options but their system also allows users to record unique voice greetings to anyone who calls. They also have the infamous Ditchmail feature that will hang up on unwanted callers after they have heard your recorded greeting. 

This is worth trying out just for the fun of recording individual greetings for the people that call me.  Seth Kinast thinks so too. He says, it's very cool and very free but he notes, "it does use cellphone minutes to check your voicemail."

Jonathan Greene from atmaspheric endeavors is a huge data user and he mentions the fact that when he purchased his new Nokia cell phone the first number he entered was his YouMail voicemail number.

"I get text alerts from Google Calendar for when I need to be somewhere and YouMail also sends a callerID text for voicemails which is quite nice."

Without a doubt the Telecom industry and all of the applications and services that go along with it is one of the most fascinating and fun segments of the 2.0 sector today.  Robert Stumpel from Everything 2.0 absolutely agrees.  He sees this area of technology exploding in 2007 and has put together a rather extensive list of telecom applications services and what they provide. We think his list deserves a look.