Tools

misconception, that it's just about the tools
requirements:
- text
- voice
- video
- screen sharing (code review, presenting)
- good audio
- knowing everyones current status
- collaborative working: Skype whiteboard, Etherpad, Piratepad
hardware:
- multiple monitors (one just for video stream)
- great cam
- great mic
- great headset
software:
- shared calender (Outlook, Google)
- Skype (show audio settings to check if mic is working + different views in meeting room to see everybody simultaneously)
- teamview
- Slack Chat
- document management for ALL documents

How to use the tools

In case of group-wide failure: have a backup communication channel (SlackChat if Skype fails) + recovery strategy ("If Skype fails to connect to our meeting room, let's meet in Slack and talk about what to do")
In case of individual failure: for every team member, have a way to connect (best backup: telephone)
establish a procedure for interrupts, for example ringing door bell during group conversation: write "Someone is at the door, brb" into the group-wide chat. => current speaker is not disturbed + everyone knows what's going on
use status messages in your messager (Skype etc) => "Free for chat" (ICQ) vs "I'm busy" => that's not even possible in "the real world" except you put a sticker on your forehead