I usually forgo the Internet while on vacation, and certainly don't check in with work, but I'm not sure that I see taking a cell phone on vacation as evidence as not fully relaxing. Cell phones can be invaluable for confirming reservations (car, hotel, airline, restaurant) and well as good for emergencies.

Actually, it's a one-step program: go somewhere without connectivity! Such places do still exist, and they tend to be quite pristine, too.

Of course, my idea of pristine might be your idea of the back of beyond. So as a way to curtail your connectedness, remind yourself of all that you're missing when you duck into an Internet cafe three times a day to cruise the blogosphere, be it a small museum, a cool restaurant, or just roaming a new neighborhood. Try going to the Internet cafe only once a day. The blog posts will still be there tomorrow, and if anything that critical makes the news, you'll hear about it on the street.

Or, as strange as it may seem, given your employer, try reading the local newspapers when on vacation. Some news, some local stuff, might even find something to do that isn't posted on the 'net...

Don't give up on vacating during vacation! I used to be one of those people -- I checked in with my assistant every day, checked my email daily, and never really relaxed. Then I went on vacation somewhere my cell phone didn't work and I didn't have computer access. It was by far the most relaxing, recuperative vacation I'd ever had.

Now I make it a strict policy not to check in with work when I'm on vacation. I do take my cell phone with me, but I rely on my assistant to handle things in my absence and only contact me if something comes up that truly requires my attention. And you know what? She has never called. Turns out the world really can get on without me for a week or two.

I know that some people really do have jobs where they do have to be reachable. But I'd advise those folks to let work contact you when they need you rather than you checking in -- don't waste valuable decompression time putting yourself needlessly in the work mindset.

Back in late 2000, I attended a big technical conference. In the Exhibitor hall, there was this nifty, new little gadget called a BlackBerry.

I asked what it was and got the whole sales pitch...including "check your e-mail on vacation", which seemed to be the big selling point.

I told him that since I spent my summer vacation digging dinosaurs in remote vacations, that wasn't really a selling point.

He countered with the concept that he was sure that new cell towers were being built everyday and of course I could bring it with me.

I finally had to hit him over the head, proverbially speaking. I went to the middle of the Canadian badlands for my vacation because I DIDN'T want to be in touch with technology. At all. Because that was what vacation was for, especially for an Internet consultant.

He didn't get it. I'm sure he still doesn't. As for me - I work hard to touch the computer as little as possible when I travel. Owning my own business, sometimes I have to, but I send out plenty of notice to my clients about when I'm on vacation so I don't have to touch my laptop for a few weeks a year...

Yeah, I wouldn't really classify cell phones with laptops. I've often wished I had a cell phone on vacation in a foreign country so I could make arrangements on the go. (Yes, I know, they have pay phones, and perhaps you've noticed - p ay phones are a pain in the butt.) Besides, I don't use my cell phone for work. I use it mainly for talking to friends and family, and I think I'm allowed to do that when I'm on vacation, too.

We started making rules on vacation about the BlackBerry. My contention is if you check the messages and there is a problem then you are going to have to other solve the problem or worry about the problem, neither condusive to enjoying a vacation. My husband's contention is, I need to know what is happening at work all the time. So the BlackBerry can be checked after all of the day's activities are done or if there is a lull in the activities. Then there is time to solve the problems with less interuption to the vacation.

I suggest you go somewhere more exciting on your next vacation. If non-emergency e-mail, the news, and blogs are more interesting than your vacation spot you should have saved your time and money and stayed home - and read your e-mail, news and blogs there.

Get an off-line life!

I have terminated for cause numerous subordinates who called me on my cell or sent some emailthat required my immediate attention. If you cant handle things while I am on vacation ora ta a herding trial you are an incompetent fool and this fool made a bad decision in hiring or promoting you. I refuse to fire myself so I will hire someone else. Unless hell is freezing over or the world coming to an end make a $#@^% decision! That is what a pay you to do. Dont break my door as it slamms you in the butt. We will direct deposit you alst check and may your crap to you.

Back 20 years ago the governemnt and contractors survived without Blackberries and laptops. It can today too.

For those who take their Blackberry, laptop w/them on vacation do not deserve/and should not go if they insist on checking in with their Blackberry, laptop. Stay at work, that would be their "vacation". The Blackberry and laptop are controlling their lives instead of the other way around. Don't take your work on vacation. Vacation is vacation. Work should be left at work. No one is indispensable.