Tips for artists moving?

[teekchan.livejournal.com]

Hey AB. I'm moving, and while I do have one option for a month (October), which would include 'net and my computer, the other option, which is better in general, would leave me without 'net for a while. (First option is couch surfing, second is an actual apartment, not sure if relevant.)

I need to continue taking work in order to move, but how do I handle that while maybe not having internet?
I already know keeping in contact and informing all commissioners I'll be moving. Is there anything else I should do?

Edit!
My computer is stationary.
I do not have a phone.
I do have a mobile device that can connect to wifi, but I cant eat at takeout places (McD's, ex) due to allergies, and they boot people out here, and I dont have the ID required for a library card.

Comments

[orangemonsterco.livejournal.com]

Back when I was a young teen and didn't have a home computer I would use library computers to grab references, information and such and save them to a flash drive. If you have a laptop you can always use that and hook up to Mcdonalds wifi, or any bookstore really. The most thing you really have to do is be discrete about saving refs.

You can also refer your clients to your e-mail which is easily checked on a phone if you have access. I used to just grab a bite to eat at a fast food place then sit in their parking lot for a few hours using the wifi.

[teekchan.livejournal.com]

While in the queue, we basically found a place, so there will be a period with no net for sure.

I dont have a portable set up, so taking my computer somewhere is not an option sadly. Which I'm a derp and forgot to mention!

I'd have to look up and see if there's any libraries local to me. There is one I know of but it's about a 20 minute bus ride, and I know when I wanted a library card as a teen, I couldnt get one due to ID issues, so I'm not sure if they've changed that or not, but I may not even be able to.
It requires ID with an address, and the only ones we have are drivers and provincial; I dont drive and its like $40 for provincial. Normal ID card isnt enough for the library.

Do you know of any other places besides 'net cafes that (I cant afford to pay) that offer computer/net use?

I've got no friends to mooch off either, as that was basically my first thought.

I should state that I DO have a mobile device that can access wifi so I can keep in touch, just not draw.

[klokworkanatomy.livejournal.com]

Some city centers now are offering free wi-fi in places around Canada. I'd google your town and see if they have anything like that.

[nisaetus.livejournal.com]

Guessing you're in Canada—try community rec centres! Most of the ones here in BC have public access wi-fi that you don't need a card or anything to log in to, and you don't have to buy anything to hang around there for long periods of time.

[teekchan.livejournal.com]

I'll google it, Im sure we do. We have one local but it's French only, and the computers are all watched, so no nsfw. I'll see if we have any English ones around, thanks!

[everainsley]

Just make sure to keep your customers in the loop as much as possible during the move period. Email them, and ask them to email you back to confirm they got the message. Doesn't have to be a long reply, just a "Got it!" will do. That should give some piece of mind while you're disconnected.

Like was mentioned, free wi-fi can be a boon if you have a laptop. If all else fails, you can use a library computer and have customers email refs to you, which could be saved on a flash drive. Burger King in some areas will have free computers to use as well. Great time of year to look for flash media, since there are still back to school sales going on, and flash media is getting pretty cheap anyway. (I got a 64GB card for my camera for $65 at Staples, for example.)

Good luck with your move. I spent last year living in my friend's living room.

[teekchan.livejournal.com]

Library isnt an option as said above, and my computer is stationary. Sadly, I don't even have $10 to my name, so anything, including buying a USB, is out of the question, which is why internet cafes are too.

I've been getting in contact with some people with commissions or trades I know will not be done by the first, but Im hoping to have most done then, and I'll be making a large notice on any commissions I take new.
I'll be noting everyone who doesnt get theres before out net is cut off for sure though!

[southernbourbon.livejournal.com]

I've been without internet for the past two weeks after moving, it's possible to use your phone as a wi-fi hotspot and connect your PC to it!

It's super useful and what I've been doing (even though my cell connection has been iffy). Don't do it if you have really limited data though, as it eats data up like crazy.

[everainsley]

You may also have to turn hot-spot connectivity on with your carrier. I do with my current plan, and it's like... $10 or $20 extra for the month, but super, SUPER useful if you won't have other wi-fi. With my previous carrier, it was just part of the plan my ex's folks had, and it was what I used when we'd go out of town.

(Edit b/c I can't type well...)

[teekchan.livejournal.com]

I have absolutely no data, and its like $5 a mg. It's just.. no. XD

[mazz.livejournal.com]

Anyplace with free wifi within walking distance you can walk over and keep in touch with commissioners. I've done this sitting outside a Wendy's using their wifi.

[teekchan.livejournal.com]

I stated above I can on wifi via mobile device, I just cant use it to connect to my computer, as it's stationary and that defeats the purpose of going somewhere with wifi.

[southernbourbon.livejournal.com]

If you have a USB to charger cable, you can connect your phone to your PC, then transfer files to your phone, and then hit up a Wi-fi spot. I've had to do it before.

[teekchan.livejournal.com]

I think you misread. This conversation was that I cannot use my phone as a wifi/data hotspot to connect my computer, (not that I cant go somewhere with wifi, technically, anyways) as I cannot take my computer with me, and I cant afford a data plan.

My reply to Mazz was stating I cant take my PC out to wifi spots, but I have another mobile device I can take with me. I already said that's what I'd do, with the file transfer and all.

I think this thread itself is just getting off topic a bit with the repeating and misunderstanding with everyone. XD

[celestinaketzia.livejournal.com]

If there is a next time it would be good to be clear from the get-go what you have at your disposal. Folks are attempting to answer your advice post to the best of their abilities. It's not offtopic if they're trying to help you.

[teekchan.livejournal.com]

I forgot to include it in the original post because of the situation and stress/things being hectic (police were involved, thats how serious) but it's stated in th first comment I made + the comment chain itself!

If Im allowed to edit the post, I can include the info.

[celestinaketzia.livejournal.com]

If it helps folks give you answers that can help you, definitely! :D

[duster.livejournal.com]

I used Foxfi to run my apartment wifi for a year since my old landlord charged absurd amounts for shitty internet with no tech support. There's a free version with a data cap and a paid version for a one-time 8 dollar fee for unlimited data. If you're really strapped, Foxfi bypasses most carrier fees.

The drawback is that, as you said, it's really only worth doing if you have unlimited data.

[houndofloki.livejournal.com]

If you have a desktop and are able to get the art itself done offline, your mobile device will probably be your best friend. You can grab refs and post slots via mobile.

If you have a phone-to-computer USB cable, it might be possible to download resized final commission files to your phone and email them that way - as long as your commissioners are understanding that you won't be able to send larger files until you're settled and back on a non-metered internet connection.

[teekchan.livejournal.com]

Im going to try my best to get everything done before hand, but yeah. I'll probably use my PC + tablet for sending. Arting offline, find somewhere with wifi to send files! Thanks for the advice!

[houndofloki.livejournal.com]

Something that occurred to me, it might be better to take only "wing it" type commissions for now. Artists usually get slightly less money for those, but it would save you a ton of time in not having to go back and forth sending progress shots when you have limited email access.

[teekchan.livejournal.com]

I'll do that as well, thanks!

[duster.livejournal.com]

Not necessarily moving but here's how I survived doing commissions in rural Japan with limited internet time and access.

1. Save everything at a Starbucks or some other place with free wifi. Details on Notepad, refs in a marked folder, better over-save than under-save.

2. Take really simple commissions. YCH, wing-it, adoptable templates, something you can crank out on a lazy afternoon. While you won't be rolling in cash you'll be able to put out work fast enough to take in new work to keep the money flowing.

3. Set one day a week to buy a coffee at the nearest Starbucks and camp out on their wifi for the day to reply to messages, update your Notepad doc and folder, etc. At least in my experience if you buy a coffee or two they won't kick you out even if you spend 6+ hours there.