I use a Macbook laptop as my main work machine, but also have an iMac at home that I use from time to time when I work from home. To keep them in sync, I have a .Mac account (for bookmarks, calendaring, contacts), and I use ChronoSync to sync the files between them everyday. The added advantage here is that it keeps me backed up every day. ChronoSync has it’s flaws, but it’s the best software I’ve found to do the job.

As for balancing time, I’m still working this out. Just because I rent an office, that doesn’t mean I feel obliged to go there every day. Sunk cost. If it’s a day I want to work from home, then I feel free to do that. Ditto coffeeshop. Usually I do a mix of both.

Paperwork-wise, I keep it all at the office, unless I know I’m going to want to work on something at home the next day or over the weekend, in which case I put it in my bag. I keep a folder in there called “Home/work transfer” and I know to look there for any files that need to move back and forth between spots.

I would also suggest looking into a service called LogMeIn (https://secure.logmein.com/products/pro/ ) (similar to GoToMyPC). LogMeIn allows you to access computers for free; there is a charge if you want the option of transferring files between machines, and there is a 30-day free trial.

For email and storing files, look for a product called SharePoint by Microsoft. (Here is a link to one company selling this service: http://order.1and1.com/xml/order/Sharepoint;jsessionid=808C943D53A85559D8CA2178E7F66C1E.TC61b?__frame=_top&__lf=Static).
This solution is great when you are sharing files with a number of people, and you prefer not to give them all access to your hard drive.

You can assign rights or access to individuals for one folder and not another, and you control who sees what, not to mention your files are stored off-site and it is a great form of a backup, something everyone should consider.

The final benefit of SharePoint is how it handles email. Your email and files can be accessed anywhere there is an internet connection. Plus, if you have a POP mail account and you have two offices, you will be faced with keeping the two mailboxes synched up.

For example, if you are away at one office and you answer ten emails, call it a day and return home, and you need to review the emails you sent at the office, you would need to look at your office’s computer to see what was sent because the mail sent from your office would only appear on your office computer, not your home computer. (Yes, if you have LogMeIn or GoToMyPC you could remotely connect to your computer at the office and check your email – sent items.) Well, Sharepoint saves you this trouble: your mail under Microsoft’s Sharepoint will keep your mail updated either at home, office or on your PDA. When you delete an email it is deleted everywhere, at home and the office. This solution really takes a lot of the guesswork out of keeping two offices’ email and files up to date!

by the way, folks, Jerry is my computer consultant…he rocks!

Two tools that could be useful are getting a Grand Central number (one number you give out that rings all your other numbers when called), so you don’t have to remember to forward calls between home and office.

Also, this is a new beta, and invitation only but it has potential to be really cool for moving files between workstations: Dropbox.

Check out this article for coworking practices, http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/04/07/coworking/index.html.