Category Archives: Fun

Parallel Play and Coworking

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This came from Angel Kwiatkowski at Cohere n Fort Collins, Colorado. She was responding to a discussion on the Coworking Google Groups titled “psych and coworking.” We thought we’d share.

Clyde Robinson, Ph.D., a professor of human development at Brigham Young University, discovered a few years ago that preschoolers use parallel play to ease into a group. Say a few kids are stacking blocks into a rocket ship, and a newcomer wants to join in. First he’ll inspect the group. Then he’ll pick up some blocks, not interacting but still keeping tabs on the kids. Are they friendly? Smiling? If the cues look good, he’ll transition from parallel to cooperative play, perhaps by asking, “Can I put a block on top?” “Parallel play is a bridge between onlooker and cooperative play,” says Robinson. “It’s a safe haven.”  (http://wondertime.go.com/learning/article/baby-parallel-play.html)

We’re all kids at heart, right? What do you think?

Top 10 Tricks for Working While On-The-Go [Lifehacker]

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Do you follow Lifehacker? If not, you should. This is a great list of tips for all you coworking, mobile, digital nomadic warriors. Check out the full post here.

10. Coil Your Cables Properly
9. Keep Your Bag Organized
8. Learn to Be Productive at Coffee Shops
7. Try Using an Ultra-Portable Tablet Instead of Your Laptop
6. Turn a Flash Drive into a Portable Privacy Toolkit
5. Keep Your Workflow in Sync Across Computers
4. Get the Most Out of Your Batteries
3. Anything Can Be Used as Extra Storage
2. Make Sure You’re Never Without Internet
1. Keep Your Stuff From Getting Stolen (And Know How to Get it Back if it Does)

I carry a 6 foot extension cord I bought from a Walgreen’s in San Francisco a few years ago. I cut off the little nub above the plug so my three prong cord would plug in. (You do not have to go to San Francisco to get one, although I highly recommend it.) Oh, and my Kensington cable lock so I don’t have to carry my laptop into the bathroom with me.

Last Minute Gift Ideas for the Coworker in Your Life

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We dodged the blizzard conditions the folks in the northeast had for their last-shopping-weekend-before-Christmas. But, hey, we’re all busy right? So if you need something for the solo entrepreneur or digital nomad in your life here are a few ideas.

  • Kensington Cable Lock; I’ve had one of these for a few years and it has given me the extra confidence to go to the bathroom at a coworking space or coffee shop without bringing my laptop along. (Eww.)
  • 5 Day Daily Desk Pass: This is perfect top make a person’s New Year’s resolution come true. What better way to give someone’s business a jumpstart than by  connecting with others down at C4 Workspace. Makes a great stocking stuffer
  • Noise Canceling Headphones: Who invented these? Can I send them a check? Whether you’re traveling, working at home (tunes out the kids AND the washing machine), coworking or coffee shopping these are a godsend. Go for the Bose for the Extra special person in your life or look for a nice pair of Sony’s.
  • C4 Workspace Annual Membership: All year access to member rates and events at San Antonio’s first coworking space. It comes with 2 Daily Desk Passes and there’s a cool Member Card with discounts to restaurants, theatres and businesses in Southtown and beyond

‘Tis the season!

Freelance National Anthem

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C4 Workspace was founded to give freelancers (and other independent professionals) a professional office atmosphere and presence that will help benefit their brand. And nothing says “brand” better than a theme song!

So, sing it loud! (There’s a karaoke section midway through.)

WPvideo 1.10
Download!

Freelance National Anthem

Brilliant Coworking Commercials

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The folks at Blankspaces in LA have created  series of commercials for their coworking space. They cover a bunch of themes and are really well done. And they present the core ideas of coworking and C4 Workspace in an entertaining way.

Here’s my favorites. Enjoy!

“Screwed”


Screwed from BLANKSPACES on Vimeo.

Collaboration 2.0


Collaboration 2.0 from BLANKSPACES on Vimeo.

Alone


Alone from BLANKSPACES on Vimeo.