Pros and vacation

RKnecht

I usually go on vacation for only a week at a time. However, since I am now my own boss, we are spending 2 weeks in Maine So, my question for the other pros here, what do you do with your galleries when you are gone for an extended period and can't proof any prints? Do I just turn off my shopping cart globally and put a note on my homepage that I will be away? Any other ideas on how to handle this?

Dano

Laptop?

Andy

Dano wrote:

Laptop?

Really - I can' t imaging not having access to my business for two weeks.

Best Buy has laptops for under $300.

KMCC

Can't do without my MacBook Pro. I'm open 24/7 365 days a year.

RKnecht

I have 4 laptops. However, we stay in a very secluded part of Maine. No internet access (not even a house phone). There are no public utilities either, the whole place runs on a propane powered generator. Maybe I'll have to look into public web access points.

ilbcnu

I use a wireless internet card on my laptop to get access on the road. It works even in areas where our cell phones will not. It isn't the fastest and I wouldn't want to upload alot, however, it has always worked for me. (We travel in a coach and sometimes are parked in remote areas)

Art Scott

RKnecht wrote:

I have 4 laptops. However, we stay in a very secluded part of Maine. No internet access (not even a house phone). There are no public utilities either, the whole place runs on a propane powered generator. Maybe I'll have to look into public web access points.

Do a broad band search or go dial up......check local cafes, truck stops, public libraries..........but if nothing else check your local CRICKET phone store for their broadband card......

Seal Sattelite phone??roflrofl

If you start being "un-touchable" for any periods of time it will do great damage to your business.......

termina3

I regularly tether my blackberry to my laptop to avoid paying WiFi fees, or if the internet at home is cranky. Of course, while technically at broadband speeds, tethering usually just makes those qualifications.

It's an additional $30/mo, but it's been well worth it.

brjphoto

I went out of town last week for 4 days. I do not have a laptop, and even if I did, it wouldn't have my photo library. While I was on the road I received 60+ print orders. Proof delay was set for a week, so I have a couple of days (tonight and tomorrow) to get everything checked, uploaded, and approved.

I had regular internet access while on the road, (at the hotel and at the conference) so I could see these orders coming in and knew I was in for some long nights when I got back.

If I was going to be gone for greater than a week without internet access...

hmmmm... I wouldn't plan a trip that puts me without internet for more than a week, so I can't help you.

Maybe hire an assistant to proof the orders while you are gone? Otherwise, you are just going to have to make time to find an internet port. Welcome to the life of a small business owner.

RKnecht wrote:

I usually go on vacation for only a week at a time. However, since I am now my own boss, we are spending 2 weeks in Maine So, my question for the other pros here, what do you do with your galleries when you are gone for an extended period and can't proof any prints? Do I just turn off my shopping cart globally and put a note on my homepage that I will be away? Any other ideas on how to handle this?