Alternative to the iPhone, iTouch, WM6x for Portable Computing

Posted by JD 07/27/2008 at 20:52

For the last few years, we’ve all seen the iPhone, iTouch, WindowsMobile, and Blackberry options for portable computing. Each has there place, especially when you aren’t paying for them.

I have a few problems with them – the radio and that they aren’t general purpose computers with lots and lots of free software. Basically, I wanted a platform that could do the following things in a highly portable container, securely, with great battery life.

  1. IMAPS email to my server
  2. Browse the real web, not some mobile-limited sites only
  3. wifi with WPA2 as the default network
  4. Skype and SIP clients for voice calls (I use my cell phone tho)
  5. MP3 playback (other formats supported too) OGG or other codecs you decide, not Apple
  6. Occasional video playback – mp4 and many, many other formats via mplayer
  7. rsync/ssh to servers
  8. Mapping/GPS (with a tiny GPS Receiver added on)
  9. Blogging and note taking device (with an iGo Bluetooth keyboard)
  10. Nearly unlimited expansion via memory (SD cards)
  11. disconnected from the cell network, so the connectivity can be upgraded outside this device. I use a cheap Motorola cell phone with a 3G data plan via Bluetooth when there’s no wifi available.
  12. USB connectivity to pull photos from a camera during travels (yes, swapping memory would be better, but I sadly bought a Sony camera). External HD also support this way.
  13. Youtube to kill some time. Other video formats are supported, but some are challenging for playback – it is only a 400MHz CPU after all. That doesn’t mean you can’t convert with a simple script into whatever format works best.
  14. High res screen (800×480)

So there’s a bunch of bluetooth happening here. Why? Bluetooth connection mean the cell phone radio can be upgraded as desired – -fairly cheaply. It also stays in the backpack – same for the GPS receiver, and keyboard if you plan to type much.

My solution? Why, a Nokia N800. It runs Linux, so there are many, many free applications. It is backed by Nokia, so there’s a commercial GPS app. I use Maemo Mapper – completely free. Since it runs Linux, when I’m at home, I can ssh into the device and setup files, move music or other files over, and pull photos off it. The uses are nearly unlimited and completely under your control.

The best part? In Feb 2008, an N800 costs $219. That’s half the price of an iPhone – with no monthly data plan payment needed. AND I can load the apps I like, not just apps that Apple or Nokia think I should. Pick an audio file format, you can probabaly use it, provided the DRM works. If it doesn’t, convert it to any format you like – FLAC, OGG, MP3, MP4, whatever you need. Same for video.

The Nokia isn’t perfect. Typing without an external keyboard sucks. It is a read-only device then. That means replying to email isn’t something you’ll do very much. If that’s what you need – get a Blackberry. But when you are portable and on the move, read-only is generally what you need. Reading PDF docs, recording voice notes, using Skype for international calls, using the GPS to find a shortcut or simply listening to your favorite music for a few hours on an airplane. The N800 does all these things nicely, without the extra cost of the other alternatives or the weight of a full laptop. Even taking a keyboard, GPS receiver, and tiny router, we’re still way under the size and weight of most laptops.

Sometimes you just want a small cell phone and don’t want to carry more. How’s that iPhone then? Some more reasons
and a demo of an N770 you may like. That is an older model.

Comparison between the N800 and iTouch might be better? They cost about the same amount. Here’s the big differences, as I see them:

  1. swap the memory or not?
  2. General purpose browser (Mozilla) or specialized?
  3. OSS Apps or Apple-only approved apps?
  4. clunky UI or beautifully designed UI? – this could be important to some
  5. Multitude of audio file formats supported like FLAC, OGG, MP3, whatever or just iTunes?
  6. Multitude of video file formats supported (mp4, avi, mpg2, whatever or just iTunes?
  7. IMAPS email or not?
  8. GPS or not?
  9. Skype or not?
  10. Lots of peripherals or lots of expensive peripherals?
  11. General purpose portable computer or specific Music player?

It’s your choice. How much is usability on a limited device worth?

Technology and Travel-Ultralight Computing Solution

Posted by JohnP 06/01/2008 at 22:23

Technology and Travel – what is the minimal ultralight, ultraportable computing solution? There are many ways to accomplish a lightweight technology pack, this is simply mine. It has been tested in travels to Hong Kong, Costa Rica (city and cloud forest), Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls, Argentina, then for a road trip in the eastern USA. We aren’t talking overnight trips, these where 2 week trips each, so this setup is proven.

In General, you want these items

  1. Cell phone – GSM with a replaceable SIM card, data plan
  2. Portable camera – be certain the memory is compatible with other devices and have a charged, extra, battery
  3. Portable computer – I use a Nokia N800
    1. encrypted personal files; encryption software with plausible deniability
    2. Skype
    3. email
    4. web browser
    5. any specialized software you need
  4. Portable keyboard – if not built in
  5. MP3/Video player
  6. GPS or other Mapping device + a simple compass
  7. Method to connect the computer, camera, keyboard, MP3 player and to the Internet
    • Bluetooth
    • Cables
    • WiFi Travel Router
  8. Chargers – use USB when possible and have the widest voltage, current, wattage support. 100V-240V and 50Hz-60Hz; basically, it is just a plug compatibility issue and no transformer is needed
  9. Power plug converters for the locale
  10. Sound isolation headphones
  11. USB thumb drive with encrypted files
    1. Passport images
    2. Personal contact list(s) Family, Work, Friends (also carry a paper version)

My specifics

  1. Cheapo Motorola V195 w/ Bluetooth and data. If I lose this, it doesn’t really matter.
  2. SONY DSC-55W camera w/ USB connector cable and USB—>miniUSB converter (my next camera will use SDHC memory)
  3. Nokia N800 Internet Tablet (PDA sized Linux computer)
  4. iGo Bluetooth Keyboard (N800 doesn’t include a usable keyboard)
  5. Zen Vision:M MP3/MP4 player (not needed since the N800 can do this easily)
  6. Mapping software is built into the N800 (Maemo Mapper)
  7. Bluetooth GPS Reciever (tether to N800 or just get the N810)
  8. Compass is on my whistle/flashlight/mirror/magnifying glass device
  9. SONY has a proprietary charger for their camera battery, but the camera takes 300+ photos between charges. That’s usually a few days for most people. For me, that’s 1 day at most. Charged, extra battery. 2×4GB memory cards. 4GB is a 2 week trip of photos for me. Throw in the other 4GB for 30 second videos.
  10. USB charger – Cellphone, MP3 player share.
  11. Nokia N800 has a proprietary charger, but has long battery life with nominal use – 2+ days.
  12. US$6 power plug kit (cheapo)
  13. D-Link Travel WiFi Router
  14. Sure e2c headphones

Test it all BEFORE you leave AND make a written packing checklist

Go to a friends home with this stuff and take a photo, transfer it to the computer, upload it to your server back home. Next, write a blog entry. Did it all work?

There’s nothing worse than getting to a location and finding out that you can’t transfer videos because you don’t have a cable or connector or way to connect to the internet. The N800 only supports WiFi or Bluetooth network connections, not an RJ45 cable. Some hotels don’t have wifi yet, but do have wired Internet connections. I’d be SOL in that case.

Honestly, if it weren’t for Maemo-Mapper, we’d all be better served by an Asus Eee overall. But when you take the mobile part of this solution into account, it is hard to beat it. Yes, the Sony camera complicates things more than necessary, but that camera has HUGE battery life that is doubtful to be matched by other portable cameras.

I’ve found this pack of technology to be the best trade off in weight, functionality, access, and convenience. Today, I might change out the N800 for an N810 that includes a built-in keyboard and a GPS device, but it also removes the external SD memory card slot that will be critical for my next camera.

What does your travel technology pack look like?

Want to know more? Here’s a better description of what is possible with the N800. You don’t need the N95 at all. Simply pair your N800 with any bluetooth phone with a data plan.

Luggage-Delsey Helium Breeze 21" Suiter

Posted by JohnP 03/10/2008 at 18:07

This 21" carry on is fantastic!

I just spent 14 days overseas with this bag and a backpack. The corners are all reinforced so it should hold up over time. Another reviewer seems to confirm the durability with 2 years of use. While gone I moved hotels 3 times and checked this luggage for the longer flights. My sport coat and dress shirt remained unwrinkled (vacation trip, not business). I put my dirty underwear, socks and undershirts in the outside pocket for the return trip. Sadly, it wasn’t searched. My traveling buddy brought a HUGE bag, so placing gifts and souvenirs in his bag on the way home worked out for me, but that won’t always be the case.

If you’re traveling for 1-4 days and don’t expect to bring big gifts back, this size is a good choice. If going international, you might want a little larger version. I’ve gotten the 26" version of this same bag for future longer trips. How’s that for an endorsement?

The luggage has straps to hold clothes in place and the removable shirt area on the top should allow 3 folded dress shirts to remain unwrinkled. The extensible handle is nice, but the inside of the bag is impacted by it – heck it has to slide away somewhere.

Check that the extra external bag strap on works. In the store where I bought this, they only had 1 working strap for 3 of the bags. I wanted to latch my backpack to this roller when transporting them together. This 21" size is a little small for my huge backpack to work that way. I just set it on top and used the handle on both bags to keep them together for easy rolling.

The Delsey "Helium Breeze" line seems to be where the jump in quality happens for Delsey without the pricing of the "Pro" line.
Highly recommended.

Jet Lag Calculator

Posted by JohnP 03/09/2008 at 17:24

I don’t really have jet lag when going to any destination since my schedule is usually set. I simply must do it. I haven’t tried this, but a few web sites have recommendations via a Jet Lag Calculator. Here’s what British Airways has.

Places to visit

Posted by JohnP 01/04/2008 at 17:13

Places to visit – work in progress All All -



Travel See / Do




  • - North America


    • - USA


      • - Eastern


        • - Kentucky


          • - Louisville


            • KFC Museum


            • Kentuky Derby Horse Racing

        • - Maryland



          • - Baltimore


            • + - Natural Museum


              • Bodies


              • Planitarium

          • Annapolis

        • - Massachusits



          • - Boston


            • 50 things

          • Cape Cod

        • - New York



          • - NYC


            • 50 Things

          • Syracuse



          • Buffalo

        • - Pennsylvania



          • - Philadelphia


            • Independence Tour


            • Art Museums

          • + - Hershey



            • Chocolate Tour

          • + - Troy



            • Harley Davidson Factory

          • Gettysburg

        • - Virginia



          • Fairfax


          • Jamestown


          • Williamsburg


          • Charlottesville


          • Roanoke


          • - Richmond


            • Pocahontas State Park

        • - Washington DC



          • - Mall


            • White House


            • Capitol


            • Washington Monument


            • WW2


            • Korea


            • Vietnam


            • Lincoln


            • Jefferson


            • Arlington Cemetary

          • Old house on Maple Drive



          • Air and Space


          • Potomac


          • Great Falls

        • West Virginia

      • - Southern



        • - Alabama


          • Huntsville Space Center


          • Mobile Martigras Parade


          • Montgomery

        • + - Arkansas



          • Blytheville


          • Gosnell


          • Little Rock


          • Clinton Library

        • + - Florida



          • Florida Keys


          • Miami


          • Disney World


          • Space Shuttle Launch


          • Cape Canaveral


          • Titusville

        • - Georgia



          • - Hikes


            • Acadia Mtn


            • Red Top Mtn


            • Kennesaw National Battlefield


            • Allatoona SP


            • Pine Mtn SP

          • + - Atlanta Area



            • Stone Mtn


            • Georgia Aquarium


            • High Museum of Art


            • Lenox Mall


            • Buckhead


            • Midtown


            • Underground Atlanta


            • Atlanta Botanical Garden


            • MLK Museum


            • Carter Center


            • Cocoa Cola Museum


            • CNN Tour


            • Centennial Olympic Park


            • Zoo Atlanta


            • 6 Flags


            • Whitewater


            • Atlanta Motor Speedway-NASCAR

          • + - Savannah



            • http://www.tripadvisor.com/GoListOverview-g60814-Savannah_Georgia.html


            • Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade


            • Savannah Heritage Tours

          • + - Jekyll Island



            • Walk the Beach


            • Birdwatching


            • Nature Walks

          • + - Warner Robbins



            • WRAFB-Museum


            • Rumble Jr High School

          • + - North GA Mtns



            • Appalachian Trail

        • + - South Carolina



          • Appalachian Trail

        • - North Carolina



          • - Raleigh Area


            • Duke Basketball Game


            • Museum


            • Mom's house


            • Ann's house

          • Appalachian Trail

        • - Tennesee



          • - Chattanooga


            • Aquarium

          • + - Memphis



            • Elvis Museum


            • Graceland


            • BBQ

          • Nashville

      • - Midwest



        • - Ohio


          • WPAFB Museum

        • Nebraska



        • + - South Dakota


          • Badlands


          • Mount Rushmore

        • + - North Dakota



          • Fargo


          • Wapeton


          • Bismark


          • Elgin

        • + - Indiana



          • Oshkosh air show

        • + - Illinois



          • Chicago

      • - Southwest



        • - Arizona


          • Grand Canyon


          • Hoover Dam


          • Great Crater

        • New Mexico



        • - Texas


          • - Houston


            • JSC


            • Astrodome


            • San Jacinto Battlefield


            • Battleship Texas

          • + - Galveston



            • Seawall


            • Moody Center


            • Ferry to North Island

          • + - Dallas



            • JFK Assassination


            • Southfork Ranch


            • State Fair

          • - Austin



            • AquaFest


            • Capitol


            • - UT


              • 50 things


              • UT Football Game

            • + - Town Lake



              • Watch the bats at dusk

            • Barton Springs Pool



            • Lake Travis


            • GM Steakhouse


            • Wendy's Hamburgers (not a chain)


            • Trudy's Bar


            • + - 6th Street


              • Maggie Mays

            • LBJ Library

          • + - San Antonio



            • River Walk


            • Japanese Garden


            • Fiesta Texas


            • Seaworld


            • Mexican Food


            • AlamoDome

          • + - Lubbuck



            • Texas Tech U


            • 14th Street Bar


            • Billy Holiday

          • El Paso



          • Corpus Cristy


          • South Padre Island


          • + - Drive for an hour just east of Austin-Hwy 71


            • Bastrop-Place for my ashes to be e spread

      • - West



        • Hawaii


        • - Alaska


          • Northern Lights


          • Salmon Fishing

        • + - Montana



          • Glacier National Park


          • Grand Tetons National Park


          • Yellowstone

        • + - Washington



          • Seattle

        • - Utah



          • - Salt Lake City


            • + - Mormon


              • Tabernackle Choir

            • + - Skiing



              • Park City


              • Deer Valley


              • Alta


              • Solitude


              • Brighton


              • Snowbird

          • + - State/National Parks



            • Zion National Park


            • Angel’s Landing

        • - Colorado



          • - Denver


            • Downtown


            • Coors Statium


            • Buffalo Bill Museum

          • + - Skiing



            • Beaver Creek


            • Breckenridge


            • Vail


            • Copper Mtn


            • Steamboat Springs


            • Winter Park

          • Grand Lake



          • Granby

        • - California



          • - Southern


            • + - Hollywood


              • Walk of Fame


              • Mann's Chinese Theater


              • Rose Bowl Parade


              • JPL


              • Beaches


              • Disney Land

            • - Santa Barbara



              • - Carpenteria


                • Beaches

          • - Northern



            • - San Francisco


              • Fishermans Warf


              • China Town


              • Stanford


              • Alcatraz Prison


              • Soho


              • Golden Gate Bridge


              • NASA Ames


              • Half Moon Bay


              • Redwood Forest

            • San Jose



            • Palo Alto


            • Mountains

    • - Canada



      • - British Columbia


        • Vancouver


        • Whistler Mtn


        • Blackcomb Mtn

      • + - Toronto



        • Niagra Falls

      • Banff

    • + - Mexico



      • Matamoros


      • Mexico City


      • Cancun


      • Tulum Ruins


      • Guatalahara

    • + - Carribian



      • Puerto Rico


      • Barbados


      • Virgin Islands


      • Cayman Islands


      • Grand Bahamas


      • Cuba

  • - South America



    • - Venezula


      • Angel Falls

    • - Brazil



      • Sao Palo


      • - Rio De Janeiro


        • Carnival


        • Overlook


        • Hang Glide

      • + - Amazon Trip



        • Amazon Manaus

      • Brasilia

    • - Argentina



      • - Iguazu Falls


        • Moonlight Falls Tour


        • Hike the falls


        • Jungle Tour

      • - Beunos Aires



        • Tango


        • Recoletta Cemetary


        • Goucho Trip


        • Obolysk


        • Coffee at Cafe


        • Pizza


        • Leather Shopping


        • Pink House


        • Train Station


        • - Le Tigre


          • River Boat Tour

        • Soccer Game



        • Learn Spanish

      • Mendoza



      • Moon Rocks


      • + - Patagonia


        • Glacier

      • Train to the Sky

    • + - Urugay



      • Monteverde

    • + - Equator



      • Galapagos

    • + - Chile



      • Easter Island

    • - Peru



      • Machu Pichu


      • - Inca Trail


        • Train

      • Cuzco

  • - Central America



    • - Costa Rica


      • + - Beaches


        • Wildlife


        • Learn to surf

      • + - Volcanos



        • Irazu


        • Areolas


        • Some other

      • Botanical Garden – Orchids



      • Learn Spanish-Homestay


      • + - Monteverde


        • Butterflies


        • Wildlife


        • Zipline


        • Skywalk


        • Cloud Forest


        • Learn Spanish

      • Drink Tico Coffee

    • + - Panama



      • Traverse Panama Canal

    • Nicaragua



    • Honduras

  • - Europe



    • - UK


      • London

    • Ireland



    • Scottland


    • + - Germany


      • Berlin


      • Munich

    • + - France



      • Paris


      • Nice


      • Venice


      • Normandy

    • Finland



    • Poland


    • + - Russia


      • Moscow


      • St Petersburg

    • + - Italy



      • Tuscany


      • Rome

    • Greece



    • Austria


    • + - Belgium


      • Antwerp


      • Chocolate


      • Waffles

    • Amsterdam



    • Iceland


    • Greenland

  • - Africa



    • South Africa


    • - Zimbawia


      • Victoria Falls


      •  

    • Madagascar



    • Kilimanjaro


    • Lake Victoria


    • Victoria Falls


    • - Middle East


      • - Turkey


        • Istambul

      • + - Egypt



        • Great Pyramids


        • Sphinx

      • Iraq



      • + - Tanzania


        • Star Wars Village

  • - Australia



    • Sydney


    • Melborn


    • Aires Rock


    • Great Barrier Reef


    • - New Zealand


      • Glacial Lake

  • - Asia



    • - Japan


      • Bullet Train


      • + - Tokyo


        • Emporer's Palace

      • Yokohama



      • Kyoto


      • Hiroshima


      • Mount Fuji

    • - China



      • - Kong Kong


        • The Peak


        • Victoria Park


        • Flower Festival


        • Shopping at Mall


        • Shopping at street market


        • Soho


        • Kowloon


        • HK-Space Museum


        • HK-Art Museum


        • HK-Heritage Museum


        • 10,000 Buhddas


        • Chinese New Year Parade


        • Food


        • Subway


        • + - Lan Tau Island


          • Big Buhdda

      • + - Macua



        • Cemetary

      • Shanghi



      • Beging


      • Great Wall


      • Red Square


      • Palace

    • + - Korea



      • Seoul

    • + - Thailand



      • Bangkok

    • Vietnam



    • + - Malaysia


      • Kuala Lumpur

    • Singapore



    • + - India


      • Taj Mahal


      • Bombay

    • + - Indonesia



      • Bali

Costa Rica Planning

Posted by JohnP 03/04/2007 at 12:28

  • Must do things? http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/costa-rica/
    • Learn Spanish
    • Zip Line / Hiking thru the Rain forest
    • River tour
    • Hang gliding over San Jose
    • Deep Sea fishing
    • Volcano tour Irazú Volcano or Poas Volcano
    • Rural Tourism??? Not very high on my list
    • Environmental tourist?
    • Teach a computer class?
    • Learn to surf
    • Lay out on a beach – tan; you can’t go on vacation and not get a little sun
    • Any local festivals or holidays upcoming (April 11th: Juan Santamaria Day, National Hero)
  • Spanish is the official language; need to brush up on my Spanish
  • Fly Delta for frequent flier miles, if possible (Tues-Sat)
  • Where to stay (4/5 star hotel)
    • San Jose
    • elsewhere?
  • Duration?
  • Rent a car?
  • Money Exchange Rate?
  • Shots/Health Concerns – scheduled shots/boosters needed $350 worth.
    • Drink bottled water, avoid ice in all drinks
    • vaccinations – Yellow Fever, hepatitis A+B, Tetanus, typhoid, Mumps-Measles-Rubella.
    • Malaria Risk in Alajuela, Limón, Guanacaste, and Heredia provinces. No risk in Limón city (Puerto Limón).
  • US State Department / Costa Rica Consolate Safety issues ** Don’t carry your passport – photocopy of Costa Rican entry stamp) Travel Suggestions

Overseas telephone card?

  • Important Phone numbers:
    • Bank CC cancel/replacement
    • overseas health insurance
    • family
    • in-country US embassy/consulate
    • airline
    • hotels
    • tour guide

Current temp – 27 deg C – 80 deg F
Time Zone – Central US