[Fomite]

I did my dissertation remotely, and to keep up with people, make sure my network was strong, push through the things that sometimes just need you there with a piece of paper and keep everyone happy, I was in the car an awful lot.

It's not a tactic I'd recommend to anyone unless their circumstances were strongly dictating it, and there's definitely stuff lost in the process. And my department wasn't particularly "collegial" - for the places that are, it'll be worse.

[pnathan]

I did my Master's work part-time and semi-remotely - I lived and worked in the same geographical area as the University, and it was hard.

I would recommend against it in exceptionally strenuous terms for the PhD. Full-time on-site PhD or don't bother IMO. It just decreases the educational intensity and quality so much not to do that.