I have to admit the limitations of email etc and the efficiency of working with people face-to-face. I used to telecommute two days a week, but not at all currently. Managers come and go as does their policy towards telecommuting.

However with a two-hour round trip commute, and gas now at $3.57 here near Sacramento, I'm pushing for it again. The employer is definitely getting extra hours from me nights, early mornings, weekends just because I can use the VPN and do virtually everything from home.

If you love living in an urban/suburban environment and have a short commute, or if you have small children at home or just can't stay focused at home, then telecommuting may not be for you. But I think we should be clear that there are advantages and some disadvantages for the employer for both in-office and remote workers.

Telecommuting full-time is a different bird altogether, but for 1 or 2 days a week, meetings can be scheduled when the remote worker is in the office.

Now as to teleconferences, many companies need to mature and learn how to run these. You need a moderator with an iron fist -- NO sidebar conversations or you're out of the room !

Big corporations know these things and run teleconferences or video conferences as if all were physically present.

It may take $5/gallon gas to get us moving in the right direction on this -- e.g. tax credits for companies who promote it.