I was sitting at a stop light the other day with my daughter.  The cars were backed up enough so that we could just see the light; we were probably 15 to 20 cars deep in line.  We saw the light change, but we had to sit, because the car in front of us didn't move.  My daughter, being 14 and quite impatient, was annoyed that the light was green but we weren't going anywhere.  By the time we were able to move up in line, the light had turned red.  We were in the weird situation where we were stopped on green lights and going on red lights.

She couldn't figure out why this was happening.  I explained that there was a delay between when the car in front of you moves and when you put your foot on the gas to move your car.  If you are far enough back in line, all those delays add up until you get completely out of sync with the color of the lights.

It seemed obvious to us that if everyone in line would look at the stop light, we could all go at the same time and traffic would flow much faster.  The problem is that if you're looking at the light and the person in front is not paying attention and doesn't move, a rear ender is sure to ensue.   You are forced to wait on others before you can do what you need to do.

That to me seems like a perfect description for this recession.  Everybody is waiting for something before they will take the next step in their business.  You can see the signs around you and you've got your foot on the gas, but you can't put your foot to the floor because you see plenty of brake light right in front of you.  You'll eventually make it thru the light, but everyone is else certainly holding you back.

So here's the deal folks.  If we're going to get thru this recession, let's start focusing on the lights above us and not pay so much attention to the brake lights directly in front. If you get a nudge in the rear, it will probably do you a little good.  If you ram somebody in front of you, so be it.  You're just doing your part to get things moving again.

At Port-to-Port Consulting, an Indianapolis Computer Consulting Services firm, we are moving our business forward.  We've added staff, reorganized our work flow and added services to support our clients better.  We expect that this will enable our clients to do the same for theirs.  If we all do our part and look up instead of at all the brake lights, this recession will be over before we know it.

Port-to-Port Consulting is an Indianapolis Information Technology company.  But what do we do exactly?  I think the best description is that we are an IT department for companies that have significant computer related needs, but don't want the hassle or expense of managing an entire computer department.

Our typical tasks include network support, answering computer help desk phone calls, going onsite for required support, managing updates and upgrades, dealing with Internet service providers and telephone providers.  We also work with our customers in planning for new technologies and helping them use technology as a competitive weapon.

These are things that any IT Department must do.  But what separates us from internal staff?

Experience is a key thing.  For companies that have more than just a couple of computers, the breadth of competence needed to make them an asset to the company is rather large.   Internal staffs can't keep up with technology when the get they opportunity to try something new only once every few years.  For example, servers typically need replaced every 3 or 4 years.  We replace on the average about 2 servers a month.  We can be much better at server deployment than an internal staff because we'll replace about 100 servers  in the same time an internal staff will replace 1.

We see things, plan for and correct things everyday that internal staffs might only see a few times a year.  Volume gives us experience that make us an efficient IT staff.

We recently purchase an HP Mini netbook computer to see what all the commotion about netbook computers is all about.   I'm usually pretty sceptical about new technology, so I didn't really expect much before I started using it.  I've been a part of Port-to-Port for more than 16 years (Port-to-Port is an Indianapolis Information Technology company), and I've seen a lot of useless crap pass by my desk.

I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised by the HP Mini netbook.  It has a 10 inch screen, which is probably the lower limit for screen size given my 44 year old eyes.  The keyboard is quite nice; it has good feel and is large enough to be comfortable and not to seem like a toy.  Our Mini came with 1Gb of RAM and a 60Gb Hard Disk.  Overall, performace is pretty good.  It would be perfectly fine for web surfing, simple office work and email.

The best part is that is very small and light-weight.  With the cover closed, it is smaller than a sheet of 8 1/2 by 11 paper. It is actually smaller than the portfolio that I usually carry to meetings.

The last time I went on a business trip, I took my old Dell Inspiron 5100 with me.  I figure it will be the last.  I can fit the Mini in my carry-on bag and not lug the laptop backpack that I'm used to lugging.

Given that the Mini seems to be a useful device, I think I can safely conclude that you really need to have 4 computers.  A desktop (with large monitors) for your daily office work - this one stays at the office.  For home, you can go need two.  You need a laptop so that you can surf the web from your favorite LazyBoy or couch.  You need a desktop (again with large monitor(s)) for regular home use.  Finally, you need a netbook to take with you for travel.  I really don't think I'll lug that old Inspiron around again!