1: Portable equipment breaks. I've been lucky here. The worst that happened to me was dropping a one-pound calibration weight and having it roll off the scale platter and land on the face of my 3-week-old Blackberry. I've still got that Blackberry three years later, but corporate changed phone providers, so now it's just a PDA

2: Synchronization is essential. Luckily, this doesn't apply for me. Our call system is web-based and corporate was nice enough to provide a laptop and an air card.

3: Big stuff disappears. This is my downfall. I've left numerous tools and testers behind at one store or another. Usually, I can go back a day or two later and find them, but I've had to replace a couple of big-ticket pieces.

4: Murphy?s Law applies especially to mobile devices. Verizon Wireless ("You have 3G everywhere" - the Americans will get that one) has holes in places you wouldn't expect. I've learned to pull over if I think the call will be important.

5: It can be tough to get a lunch break. No lie! I do my best to stop and relax, but sometimes I find myself eating lunch in the van. I find myself keeping healthy snacks (raisins, peanuts, wheat crackers, etc.) on hand. When I can though, I will find a good sandwich shop with free wifi and kick back.

6: Communications will fail you at the worst time. Guaranteed, and 'nuff said.

7: The runaway stylus is gone forever. Thankfully, I do not need a stylus and have not for years. But some of the equipment I work on does require a stylus, so I keep one on hand...in the tool bag. Since the stylus only costs $1 for 3, Rule 3 has yet to impact.

8: The phone is elusive. Nope. Always in the holster on my belt, Bluetooth or no Bluetooth. I'm more likely to lose (and have lost) my Bluetooth headset.

9: Information is at your fingertips? and it?s impossible to read. Not applicable, have laptop.

10: You may be perennially on the clock if you don?t stand firm. I'm already on call almost every weekend and definitely every evening. I do coordinate with my boss to obtain the occasional weekend off if I have out-of-town plans.

Now the benefits:

1. The boss may be breathing down your neck, but you can always drive through a "hole" and drop the call.

2. No two days are ever the same.

3. The customer knows who fixed the problem and occasionally will thank you to your face.