[drawkbox]

Pair programming physically side by side is not great. Pair programming or integrating/coding together remote over Skype/Gotomeeting/etc screen sharing is great when needed.

It is like having another programmer in your head and you can't see each other type so there are less jibs/jabs. Plus both people can eat, drink, do things rather than just stand around one workstation like people did with TV in the 50s and one person can't see the screen.

I can't remember the last time I pair programmed in person over remote even in the same office/building. Occasionally you need to be in the same room or desk to draw something up but mostly it is more efficient remotely especially during an integration.

Pair programming remotely is like "hey you got a bug on line 441", pair programming side by side physically is like "dude you got a bug down there, btw just just use this hotkey" or doesn't even see it because you can't see the screen.

[BSousa]

I agree. I work remotely and do this a lot with team members, but when people suggest pair programming, they are (usually) referring to 2 seats on 1 keyboard kind of thing, which I hate and would probably quit if I had to do it on a day to day basis.