Travelling Visual Studio developers

Question

Hi,

I am about to travel to Europe (I'm Australian but imagine this is a similar circumstance for US users and simply flipped for European users).

However, there is the slim possibility I will need to do some Visual Studio work while I'm travelling.

As I see it I have three options:

1. Leave a desktop PC on at home, access remotely via net cafes.
2. Carry a laptop with me on the trip, upload files as required using public wifi.
3. Option 2 but instead buy cheap light netbook that is miraculously capable of running VS.

Does anyone have any experience or advice to shed on any of these options?

For reference, this existing post suggests that VS remotely for short distances is okay, but over longer distances could be more problematic. I've used VS via RDP to a US server before and it was pretty laggy but for small changes I could get by.

Concerns I have that you may have some experience with:

• Weight of luggage (ideally like to travel light)
• Security of laptop (imagine it'll be too heavy to carry around all the time so have to leave it at hotel/hostel etc. and hope for the best)
• Security of data (don't want someone stealing RDP access to my home PC)
• Security of FTP (don't want someone stealing FTP passwords over wireless)

Answer 1

I tried installing VS2010 on my NetBook and it was a no-go. I was, however, able to install Expression Blend/Web which is good for most tasks.

Edit: To make this more useful... my netbook is HP Mini 1100 Series w/1GB RAM running Windows 7 "Starter"

Answer 2

I'd go with option #2 (carry a laptop that can run VS).

This way you can use the "more convenient" method if it works well (use it as a RDP client if the connection is low-latency enough), but you can still work locally if the connection you find is not reliable.

I think the bottom line is, always have a backup method when depending on networks that are far away and beyond your control.

Edit: Regarding the additional security concerns, most of those are things you should deal with anyway, traveling or not. If the stuff you're working with is that sensitive, you should probably improve the security of your remote work environment with a VPN and more secure file transfer method. Before you take your laptop anywhere, know what your plan is if you were to lose it.

Answer 3

Use TrueCrypt for encrypting your harddisk. Use VPN, SSH or something similar for remote connections. I always bring my laptop, but in case I would lose it, it's just a brick for the finder, and I have a good backup system that makes me able to get up and running on another computer quickly.

Answer 4

I used to leave a home PC on with VS and use services like GoToMyPc or LogMeIn or some similar service.

Since I have started using a laptop, I just carry the thing with me with VPN connectivity on business trips along with a 3G data card.

But seriously, if on vacation, I do not want to take my laptop with me.

security

First and foremost, encrypt the contents of the HDD - be safe.

If I am on a business trip, the laptop is with me so I am not as concerned with where it is. If I am on vacation, I do not know that I want to take one with me.

If is important then I would keep my laptop/pc at work ON and there will be someone that has access to turn it on/reboot it. So I would carry a light laptop that lets me connect and work if I need it. If that goes down, I can always head into a cybercafe.

database

If you are anticipating working, bring your dev database with you. I know it hogs space and memory (while in use), but it pulling data over the wire has taken long enough to make me lose concentration.

standalone

Make the laptop standalone so that it can work without a connection to VPN or internet - coverage is not the best / uniform in all areas.

Answer 5

It's a vacation. How do you expect to rest up properly if you're always worrying about work. Leave the phone at home too.

Answer 6

beware: i don't know where you are going in europe, but do not count on a reliable internet connection in a hotel. it generally works, but when it does not, don't count on the personnel to repair it. of course, if you also carry your own connection (G3 or EDGE on your mobile phone), then this will not be a problem.

Answer 7

I suggest using the option 2 when working on your source code.

I also recommand using Git so you can work with a source control while being disconnected from the office source control. When you get an access, you can sync your whole repository with your office repository.

Of course, it all depend on which source control provider you are using.

For the occasional stuff that are not on Git, use a VPN for enhanced security.

Answer 8

My experience:

1) Purchased a small netbook (Samsung netbook with 2gb or so of RAM, I can lookup exact model number if anyoned interested but I think it's comparable to, or just above the NC10 (just comment if interested)).

2) Internet is bad in Europe (at least the options available to trav ellers). Something to note.

3) The netbook performance was absolutely fine. You don't want to be doing too much dev because of the small screen (though it was only really an issue for me because I got sick of the trackpad and didn't have a separate mouse) but it's honestly pretty fast and easy to use for .NET MVC development in Visual Studio.