"Computers on the Road" June BCM Article

[rv_safetyman]

OK folks, I wrote this article for BCM with a lot of fear and trepidation.  While I have been involved with using computers on the road since the early Kaypro days (remember CPM?), I am far from an expert.  The article reflects my thoughts and research.  However, it is my strong hope that folks will send me their CONSTRUCTIVE thoughts so that I can do a follow-up article. 

We tried the concept of a follow-up article on the Engine Conversion Series, but I got very little input.  I would guess that this subject will generate a great deal more discussion.

You can send your information to:  jim at rvsafetysystems dot com.

[Sean]

Jim,

Thanks for the referral in the article.  For everyone's convenience, here is a clickable link to my Netbook tutorial:
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com/2009/09/moving-to-acer-aspire-one-netbook.html

I have not had a chance to read the entire article yet so I can't really give you feedback on all the parts.  It's a great subject and a timely article, though.

-Sean

[Just Dallas]

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[BG6]

OK folks, I wrote this article for BCM with a lot of fear and trepidation.  While I have been involved with using computers on the road since the early Kaypro days (remember CPM?),

Not only do I remember Kaypro, I remember the Kaypro Fight Song, and I was a Kaypro dealer when they went hooves-up.  When they were building computers, they were about the best out there.

For that matter, you could use the CP/M unit as a jack stand . . .

[BG6]

I just refuse to believe in the myth that some types are better than others. And have empirical proof of my assertions.

Then you have never had a Toughbook.

One of the guys I work with has replaced his laptop four times in a year, carrying it in a Targus case.  I'm doing offroad (4x4) work, and live at the end of a mile-long goat track.  My Toughbook has been in the computer mount, RUNNING, nearly every mile I've driven in the last year (it's for real-time communications and DeLorme GPS).  I'm typing this on it, in the mount, as I sit in a parking lot waiting for someone.

[Just Dallas]

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[JohnEd]

 Debian clone, with a 1.5Tb Raid +0, +1, a main Hdd of 500Mb, an NVidia of 512Mb and an AMD CPU running at 3.8Ghz.

You do and you will clean it up Mister!


In the same amount of time we had 5 different laptops that died... including the Toughbook.


"Ohhhhhhhh say it ain't so Joe.  Say it ain't so".  I bought a nice big Toshiba Satellite 18 incher JUST FOR THE BUS.   I love it.  I heard they all ahve more problems than a desk top but T has good marks in relation/comparison to other laps.  Actually they call the thing a desk top portable and given its weight I hope to never have to carry it further than into Borders.  I didn't think a desk top was up to the bus environment.

D, you are like HS in that you seem to be everywhere.  And you present in each arena fully armed.  Is there anything you aren't well versed in?  Full on suck up complement there.  I want t try to maneuver into a posit where your brain an be properly picked.  Is it possible that the Pres would support a sub forum on computers and systems for the bus Knut and would you moderate such?  Even with a "no" you would participate....right? 

I'll get busy,

John

[Ed Hackenbruch]

 We bought a Compaq Presario 2500 laptop when we started fulltiming 6 1/2 years ago.  We were told that laptops have a built in cooling flaw and that if we bought a cooling plate it would extend the life of the laptop. We were also told that laptops usually only last about 4+ years. We figure we will be replacing it in the near future.   

[rwc]

My grandson inherited my Toshiba after 6 years of abuse by me and it still works great.

[Dreamscape]

We both have Toshiba's, mine is a Tecra A10, Vista Business. Wife's is a Toshiba Satellite, Vista Home. So far they work pretty good. We also have a Dell desktop as a backup. For the desktop we use this http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/productlist.php?CatID=35&FamID=111&ProdID=371 to connect to local WiFi.

We are lucky to have great park WiFi but just in case we have a Verizon USB Novatel 760 air card like the one in Jim's article. When we both want Internet access if no WiFi available, we plug the air card into a Cradlepoint CTR 350 and both of us can be online. The antenna we use is this one

 http://3gstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138_145&products_id=1076

This vendor has great prices and shipping. I have no affiliation with this store, only a satisfied customer.

http://3gstore.com/

For security we both have Microsoft Security Essentials installed, it does a great job of keeping our systems free from viruses, and it's free.

We're connected!

Paul

BTW Jim, great article!

[Jerry32]

I just use a Dell small desktop unit that works well for me and carry a laptop as backup thatr can run off the router too  Jerry

[JackConrad]

a 700mhz AMD with 2Gb Ram, 500Mb Hdd, 128Mb NVidia video card, and Win 2K Pro.
Then I went back to my first choice, Linux and currently run a Debian clone, with a 1.5Tb Raid +0, +1, a main Hdd of 500Mb, an NVidia of 512Mb and an AMD CPU running at 3.8Ghz.

What did he say??? LOL

[Len Silva]

I think he said  Integer id pharetra eros. Praesent commodo ultricies elementum. Suspendisse ut nisl nec odio lobortis porttitor at et nibh. Aliquam erat volutpat. Etiam eros velit, tincidunt non vestibulum id, suscipit ut diam. Curabitur cursus commodo nisl, quis suscipit sapien tempor quis. Integer ultricies, nibh ut fringilla ultrices, tortor felis vehicula est, non ultricies lorem risus sed lectus.

[john9861]

The vulgarity of it all!

[Ed Hackenbruch]

 I couldn't have said it better myself!