A requirement for working with some businesses is that they want you to work on site with their development staffs. I personally like that, because in addition to meeting new people I get to interact, teach, and learn a few new things from other developers. The frustrating part is that they usually clients never accounted for outside developers or staff and they always happen to find the smallest, most isolated area for you to sit in. In addition to less than ideal seating arrangments, I have a certain development environment setup for increased productivity, comfort, and overall well being. So I thought how do I keep all the things I like but still give the client the comfort of being on site? Let me introduce the Aqua Bird Consulting Development Mobile.

Aqua Bird Consulting Development Mobile

Aqua Bird Consulting Development Mobile

You probably have some questions that might be running through your head. Let me address some of them.

Why wouldn’t you just get a laptop that you could take to client sites?

That would only address my development environment as far as hardware and software. A development environment consists of a lot more than that. Whiteboards are integral, lighting, office supplies, and furniture.

What about things like internet, phones, and television, and the thing that drives them all electricity?

Anybody these days can afford wireless broadband, Scott Hanselman had a review of one provider and got some pretty decent speeds. Phones…*cough*… everyone has a cellphone right? I could approach television in two ways, I could go through the internet or get a satellite dish. Electricity will be provided by several batteries daisy chained together. If it works to power million watt competition stereo systems, I’m sure I could power some over the counter electronics.

What happens when nature calls?

I’d hope my clients would be nice enough to let me use their facilities; but if they choose not to then I could drive to the closest gas station. This is a vehicle we are talking about.

Won’t you get claustrophobic sitting in a dark truck compartment?

Well I am considering placing windows and sunroof, this would make the compartment feel more open and keep the smell out, especially when dealing with smelly code.

What about multiple developers?

This is a concern, but I find most projects really only need about three to four developers, which a group of developers would easily fit into. They would just have to cut back on the hot pockets and red bull.

I’m still batting this idea around in my head, it might seem crazy at first. but the more I think about it the more sense it makes. Not saying it will happen any time soon, but many successful businesses have moved into the back of trucks and have never looked back. Let me know what you think and if you have any other ideas or questions about the development mobile.