When they first came out with this idea, my mom was the one who really needed a laptop without a laptop solution. Basically, this installs a set of standalone apps that don’t have tendrils into Windows System files. Not to mention that you can install it on a memory stick as small as 256k (I have it running now – I’m blogging in Firefox on a 512 memory stick – this is the one I got for 4 bucks after rebate. I know it isn’t totally necessary, but it amuses me.)
I do have a small laptop, but frankly, its getting older and the battery lasts about 2 hours but not much more. Its better suited for staying at home and sitting on a comfy chair somewhere other than my desk when I’m not at the setup in the kitchen.
I’m not complaining, i bought the little guy in 2002 so its had a pretty good run and it still is my main machine for all my websites and design. But this next model I’ll be getting is a bit far off (saving up now, but I got the carry case already for xmoose from Ralphie (thanks Ralphie!)…).
So, when I do travel, I either use my Treo to do all my email, but now I have the option of using PortableApps to manage all the heftier bookmarks, a small amount of photo editing and possibly web dev… but I don’t know if my server exactly likes NVU. I’ll have to figure out the quirks.
They do have standard email apps (but I’m so online with Gmail and Treo-ized, its not totally necessary) and the calendar app, but again, like I said, I’m Treo-ized and I haven’t looked into the possibility of syncing my Treo with it, I doubt it since when I looked on their forums, they were discussing the limitations of having the drivers local.
Anyhoo, back in the stone ages (approximately 4 months ago) the installation and set up process was a bit monkey-ish. Now they have an interface, the load problems are cleaned up and installing new apps (not to mention removing apps) is dead easy. FANTASTIC interface… I’ve seen a lot of crap and this is brilliant. They even added a backup utility for exporting either your settings only or the entire drive contents to a zip folder wherever you deem suitable.
So, I’ve taken to just connecting it to whatever machine I’m on and treating it like my desktop so that all my history, linkies and quirky setups will be there no matter where I am.
Its also TINY so I can just stick it in my purse and not have to worry about schlepping even a tiny laptop when I leave for 3 day jaunts.
Get one now and have it ready for emergencies or just handy. Here’s the drive I got the other day at Fry’s on Amazon if you want a decent deal.
Blog
-
SOFTWARE:PortableApps
-
PACKING LIST: 3 days in Hawaii*
Clothes:
periwinkle Columbia skirt
lime green Columbia shorts
black Columbia shorts
white Tshirts
black tshirts
swimsuit
flip flops
tevas
pareo
socks and undies
plane wear (yoga pants, tshirt, sweater, jacket (I do live in San Francisco, you know.))Things:
Eagle Creek backpack
Kiva foldup bag
Treo/waterproof Treo bag
waterproof Sony camera
waterproof Otter Box for misc (solio, cables, etc.)
Day pack/purse + purse fodder
foldup cooler
book
journal
SPF 9000 sunscreen
snorkle/aquaglasses
laminated fish identifier
sunglasses
Longhorns cap
travel shampoo kit* No, I won’t be going to Hawaii anytime soon. But, these little lists serve two purposes: 1. to daydream about going to Hawaii and 2. to indulge the strange fetish I have about being able to run off on a whim with only a backpack and a few essentials.
-
Fwd: AT Backpack: Intro
kid,
hee hee, we are in! I’ll call her today with the deposit.
-mom———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Adventure Co.
Date: Dec 27, 2006 8:26 AM
Subject: AT Backpack: Intro
To: fredlet’s momHi fredlet’s mom- we received both of your registrations – how wonderful that you and your daughter are doing this together! There are 2 spaces available and we will reserve the spots for you. If you could call the office at your convenience with a credit card for the deposit then we’ll complete the registration process. if we are not here, please leave a message and a good time to call you back and we will return your call promptly.
We are delighted to welcome you to this great trip.
Happy New Year, fredlet’s mom! -
43 Things:walk (a part) of the Appalachian Trail
Dear future self,
Actually, I *have* gotten a start on this list item. Mom and I have
plans to go on part of the Appalachian trail in June of 2007.
We’ve talked about this since we both read Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the
Woods and were kinda charmed by it.
We’ve gone hiking before, and while I ate everything I could put my
hands on then (I was in 2nd grade or something) I had a blast, and I think I might even
have more fun this time.love,
present self, fredlet———- Forwarded message ———-
From: fredlet – 43 Things
Date: Nov 22, 2006 7:18 AM
Subject: walk (a part) of the Appalachian Trail
To: fredletDear future self,
I’m reminding you about your stated goal on 43 things, to
“walk (a part) of the Appalachian Trail”.How’s it going?
Sincerely,
Your past self -
CHICAGO: To Do list (according to JoeP)
- Just in time to go to the Art Institute (Renoirs, Monet and Rembrandts up close and personal oh my, Shedd Aquarium and The Bean. 🙂
- If you can, even if you dont like baseball, catch a Cubs game.
- In fact, in todays NY Times, in the travel section, here’s a piece on Chicago: http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/09/15/travel/escapes/15hours.html
Man, what would I give for a Chicago Dog right now… (Rosen poppy seed bun, Vienna sausage, with everything and celery salt. GOTTA have the celery salt.)
-
I threw up.
-
CHICAGO: Day 02
As Jen was in a delicate state, we went only for a short time while she recovered in the hotel room.
-
Sleepless in Chicago.
Sleepless in Chicago.
Originally uploaded by fredlet.Hi Joe who is in San Francisco!
Its like Freaky Friday, but with towns….
-
CHICAGO: Day 00 (!)
I’m here.
Originally uploaded by fredlet.At the corner of Clinton and Van Buren in Chicago cooling my dogs after flying all night (and surprisingly, *sleeping* on the plane all through the SAN>>ORD leg in the center seat) then taking the CTA to Union Station-ish area where Amy and I ended up last time we passed through here.
I dub thee MY STARBUCKS! They even got my triplebrevetepidnofoamlatte right.
Hell’s bells.
I was kinda sweating it taking the blue line since I didn’t obsessively plan this trip like the last time I was out here… and I have slept since then so the details didn’t stick too well.
In fact, I’m surprised I am not freaking out right now… could be sleep deprivation, since I didn’t put EVERYTHING into my Treo (though having an unlimited wireless connection helps my Asperger’s more than you’ll ever know) such as the station I should get off of to get to Union Station, the exact name of the hotel (but frankly, I googled it earlier and only found one of that general name, and can google it from the Treo – see? Calming effect.)
One would think that I am calming down, but I think its just that I have found a suitable remedy for my neuroses.
I was walking from the plane to the blue line and was thinking about how other cities *in the U.S.* make me nervous, but other countries don’t.
Haven’t figured that one out yet.
Also haven’t figured out what makes me such a nervous nellie at times and yet, some people tell me I’m very brave… I think I just fake it well.
We shall see.
I’m really looking forward to this weekend. (think JournalCon without those pesky conferences and all the food, drink and more shopping with the same crowd. JournalNon if you will)
I was reading TranceJen’s entry about this weekend and was happy to note that it wasn’t just me who is in a state of awe at the friends I’ve found on teh intarweb. Now I kinda groc the whole letter writing culture of old that has been resurrected in a slightly updated form.
Well, there’s your disjointed entry for this weekend. I’m going to have about 3 hours sleep in the next day (added to the distinct lack of sleep I inflicted on myself by leaving getting ready until almost last minute before I left… (Hey, I think I’ve been kidnapped by aliens and my pod person is a slacker.))
It reminds me of going to Paris and the resultant out of body state I usually have getting used to being at home again in my city and th 9 hour time difference between SFO and CDG.
More later…
