I've recently been reading up about co-working and the benefits it offers to freelancers, self-employed individuals and even employees.

At its simplest, co-working involves renting a desk on a drop-in, daily or more permanent basis in a shared office space. Self-employed developers and designers will be well aware of the insanity that can ensue from working and living in the same building, so having an office to get away to and concentrate or share ideas with like-minded people in the same professional field is a great contrast.

It can also be of advantage to those who work in a corporate environment that does not lend itself to concentration. Similarly, if you're the only developer in a room full of designers it's nice to spend some time around people with similar skillsets to bounce ideas off.

Co-working is all about community and open spaces rather than cubicles and closed doors. In fact some co-working spaces require you to be vetted before you can join. There are usually no NDAs... the community is built on trust and friendship not forms and signatures.

I'm lucky in that I work in an environment where I already have like minded people around me so I haven't visited any co-working offices, but I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has.

Read more about co-working here: http://coworking.pbwiki.com/