This started as a "configuration tips" page on Mac OS X and quickly sprouted into my life as a road warrior, the tools I use and why I use them!

Strategies

• find a partner in action ;-)
• have a "offline work" plan - don't let a "technology breakdown" break you down!

Security

• use "virtual account numbers" to make secure credit transactions.
• use "private browsing" (or Distrust on Firefox) to avoid leaving a "digital history" and sensitive information.
• avoid secure transactions on public computers and networks ( be especially careful of "adhoc networks" designed to sniff your information!)
• use services like paypal - an expert in online security and filling this niche and need for online safety
• try to avoid "illegitimate" sites - you may get hacked. they know of exploits in the currently released browsers and looking for victims!
• try to avoid opening up executables and zip file attachments to email. when possible use the built in "viewer" on your web mail system of choice.

Mac OS X

1. create a separate user from the "Admin" user. This user should be "Standard" and protect you from manipulating important components of your system!
   • log in as this "Standard" user.
   • you will be asked for your admin password most frequently when you fiddle around with System Preferences and/or add Applications.
2. If you have a small external drive and/or partition for Time Machine (in my case - only 10GB):
   • try to keep your home partition to a minimum - try not to leave large files on your desktop
   • Create a separate "/+Downloads" directory. Set your downloads folder (in Safari or Firefox) to download here instead as quite often, these files are large yet recoverable.
   • Create a separate "/+Media" directory. Put your iTunes and iPhoto directories in here. Develop a habit to "backup your purchases" and backup your photos to DVD-RW. Archive to DVD-R as needed.
     • use rotating (ie. A/B) archiving when possible (I flip flop between 2 DVD-RWs for my photos!)
3. Create a CD-RW with .dmg of all your critical apps. Keep this disc handy when all else fails and you need to start your system from scratch
4. Clone your system (Carbon Copy Cloner works excellent). Make the clone bootable. Be sure to remove all /+* directories so you are only backing up your system and user directories - this should easily clock in less than 40GB. If your user directories are large, remove these from the clone and use your TIme Machine backups to recover from any loss.
5. do as much "media work" (ie. iMovie, iDVD) as possible on an external. you may use your internal for convenience but be rigorous about archiving your data or moving it "offline" as soon as possible.
6. install Windows using Boot Camp. It pays to have a backup operating system at times. Perhaps you might even have to demonstrate something in a world "others" are familiar with - "speak" into their listening!
   • optional: purchase virtualization software like Parallels Desktop or VMWare Fusion if you find yourself diving into Windows often. Benefit: requires no reboot - you can share Windows apps/integration instantaneously!

Applications

• use Google Docs to have a persistent and easily searchable document collection. You get collaboration benefits for those who choose to play this game too!
• use a wiki. share your knowledge while you are mobile!
• use facebook to maintain your network. Other social networking tools are great. this one has excellent support for the iPhone plus you can build your own apps eventually (although I'd like to hear from Ning users out there!)
• use plaxo.com to automatically backup your PIM data. You'll have a web PIM as an added bonus!
  • NOTE: plaxo appears to have a secret strategy up their sleeve to combat the likes of facebook and linkedin! (thus how this company still stays afloat despite a free service and premium service model that seemingly has little value!)
• use services like del.icio.us to "webify" your bookmarks not to mention share them and create conversations around them. these services allow for advanced meta-data, manipulation, and visualization (ie. tag clouds)
• use webmail. Google Mail comes highly recommended due to its "cross conversation" integration with chat and "conversations" handling.

Devices

• cell phone - yes, for purposes of reliability, quality, performance - sometimes you just don't take the risk or it just ends up being a backup for meetings, conference calls. it just works! (yes, i ack us techno-die hards live for the day the telecos die or at least shift their models!)
• iPhone - you just don't need a laptop with you all the time (configuration: lightweight, dancer)
• Eee - if you can leave the full-size laptop home - do it. this might do for meetings and fill in the gap where the iPhone doesn't. (configuration: business traveler, writer)
  • NOTE: MacBook Air is the elite equivalent of this "requirement!"

Gear

• AC Adaptor - easy to leave home without it!
  • macbook users: don't forget the adaptor plug - esp if you often use the extension cord given to you at the Home Office
• sync cable - esp for iPhone users who don't have wireless sync :/
• keep a CD-R, CD-RW, and DVD-RW handy. useful for instant backups (esp photos on the run) and well - you never know, you might be editing a movie or even gifting a movie on the run!
• VGA dongle (for those who use macbooks) - presentations on the run always help. iPhone can be handy for instantaneous video shares!
• ethernet cable handy - the whole world hasn't gone WiFi just yet!
• headphones - etiquette is sometimes necessary - people don't always want to hear conversations from the other end!
• external drive - bring this if it's gonna be a long-haul. you'll need to back up to this every so often.
• remote - handy for presentations and well - being a couch potato while on the run! :D

Optional

• crossover cable - this "used" to be critical for P2P networking. I think with "Internet sharing" this has been solved.
• spare SD