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14 Aug 2007
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC, for now...
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On my last trip i carried a 12" Mac powerbook...it was indespensible! Music, video editing, photo's, wireless, etc. Internet cafe's usually suck because their computers are much too old and slow. The Mac is small and lightweight, only a few kilo's, and takes up very little space. The aluminum body is very durable and will dent or bend instead of shattering your internals. It never skipped a beat, and i dropped it twice!
Dave Smith mentioned he can't take a laptop because his bike is only six volts. Truth is, the only way to charge a laptop on a bike is with an inverter, and is absolutely unnesesary, there's places to plug in everywhere you go. Due to Garmin being a bunch os asses, i've up-graded to a new 15" Macbook pro and loaded Windows (Ughhhh!!) onto a partition so i can download my maps. I built my websight on the road and archived all my photo's and video. Most internet cafe's will let you plug in, i was only refused once in four months. Once you try a good laptop and use it, you'll always travell with one. If you only want e-mail or are a Luddite, stick with the internet cafe's.
BTW...i never run ANY antivirus software on ANY of my Macs. So far, so good 
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14 Aug 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tedmagnum
lol.. Hes right though isnt he.
Im not going to bother with a laptop now |
At the start of Easy Rider is a great piece of Symbolism, they have just done the drugs deal and about to set off on the road trip to Marti Gras. Fonda takes off his watch and throws it away and they ride off. Brilliantly encapsulates the freedom of a motorcycle and the open road.
If they remade the movie today he would have to throw away the Laptop, PDA, GPS, mobile phone, Satellite phone, radar detector, bike to bike communicators, MP3 player, digital camera and all the various chargers, wires and batteries. Then he would have to adjust the suspension because of the weight loss and then ride off.
You got to laugh.
Our temptation is load up like James bond after a visit to Q.
Steve
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14 Aug 2007
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Location: London, England
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Arghhhhhh! You can't throw that lot away how could we possibly survive on the road without access to email, my complete iTunes library, skype, newsgroups, latest information from HUBB... arghhhhhh!
You're giving me nightmares!
m
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveAttwood
At the start of Easy Rider is a great piece of Symbolism, they have just done the drugs deal and about to set off on the road trip to Marti Gras. Fonda takes off his watch and throws it away and they ride off. Brilliantly encapsulates the freedom of a motorcycle and the open road.
If they remade the movie today he would have to throw away the Laptop, PDA, GPS, mobile phone, Satellite phone, radar detector, bike to bike communicators, MP3 player, digital camera and all the various chargers, wires and batteries. Then he would have to adjust the suspension because of the weight loss and then ride off.
You got to laugh.
Our temptation is load up like James bond after a visit to Q.
Steve
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14 Aug 2007
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
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I've got hundreds of books in zip files on my laptop even just a few would be more bulky than the computer. Trouble is it's a vaio and I don't know how tough it would be. It's fine for road based trips in it's neoprene case but I guess it would fall apart off road. I've heard of U3 pen drives has anyone actually used one ? Carrying your desktop and other programs with you sounds like a good idea and it takes up no room. Also you can cut and paste your passwords onto the web so no keystrokes get copied. It sounds great.
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14 Aug 2007
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West London
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SPVs
I've used my old battered Orange SPV E200 Smartphone on cycling trips (yeah I kept the watch but chucked out the motor). I use it with an Elektex flexible keyboard and it's been fine. Sure the screen's a little small for serious web-browsing, and watching Casino Royale on it was a novelty of strained eyes, but for e-mailling, blogging, facebooking, MP3ing, and even updating my website it was fine. A couple of 2Gb SD cards provided storage and I use the same cards in my digicam. I even used it for short video-diaries which I could upload to YouTube. It's got bluetooth and I found European i-cafés either had bluetooth anyway, or would let me plug in my bluetooth dongle to transfer files.
The whole thing packs up nice and small, and of course you've always got your mobile with you if you want to call. Depending on your phone plan you might even get decent data transfer plans, which means you can e-mail directly using GPRS, rather than stocking them till you find the nearest i-café.
I'm now looking at a newer phone, using Windows Mobile 6, hopefully the newer OS will provide a few more bells and whistles, and a lot of them come with WiFi, which is even better.
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Happiness has 125 cc
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14 Aug 2007
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Join Date: Nov 2005
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For South and Central America, no need, plenty of internet cafes.
For north America, probably, mainly because all you'll find are Wi-Fi connections and very few internet cafes.
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15 Aug 2007
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Definitely Nomadic
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"...how could we possibly survive on the road without access to email, my complete iTunes library, skype, newsgroups, latest information from HUBB... arghhhhhh!"
I think the bigger question is, what kind of trip are you wanting? What do you want your time away to look like? I see so many travelers spending soooo much time staring in front of a screen, all in a row with other travelers who are also spending much time in front of a screen. A computer/internet is like an umbilical cord. But once you cut the cord, ah, the freedom! OK, I'll shut up now, I've said my piece. (And yes, I'm as guilty as the next person, I just do all my writing in private.)
And I must strongly disagree about being able to connect anywhere with your own laptop. Yes, in touristy places, but certainly NOT in little towns.
Lorraine
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15 Aug 2007
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Lorraine - you're making me feel bad :-( I can't go cutting the essential connection to the world.... I can't go a day without going online for most of it!
Perhaps that's my 'adventure'! at last... I've found the answer !
m
Quote:
Originally Posted by lorraine
"...how could we possibly survive on the road without access to email, my complete iTunes library, skype, newsgroups, latest information from HUBB... arghhhhhh!"
I think the bigger question is, what kind of trip are you wanting? What do you want your time away to look like? I see so many travelers spending soooo much time staring in front of a screen, all in a row with other travelers who are also spending much time in front of a screen. A computer/internet is like an umbilical cord. But once you cut the cord, ah, the freedom! OK, I'll shut up now, I've said my piece. (And yes, I'm as guilty as the next person, I just do all my writing in private.)
And I must strongly disagree about being able to connect anywhere with your own laptop. Yes, in touristy places, but certainly NOT in little towns.
Lorraine
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15 Aug 2007
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Langholm,Scotland,UK.
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Maybe the question should be 'Do I REALLY WANT' a laptop 
No one really needs one 
Gadgets, love em 
Trophymick
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15 Aug 2007
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Iv had ANOTHER change of heart LOL..
Im taking my travel guitar with me of which I use my PC for all my tabulature and music files.
Im also taking my PSP which I need a PC to upload games and videos etc.
My MP3 player also needs a PC to upload and download music.
I hate being this connected to technology but its the world I grew up in !!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:confused1:
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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
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15 Aug 2007
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Join Date: Aug 2007
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"On my last trip i carried a 12" Mac powerbook..." Mr. Ron
Mr. Ron-
I like the idea of taking my Mac but have been worried about the constant vibration and what it might do. I'm riding a thumper- How do you pack your Mac and what are you riding?
Tom
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15 Aug 2007
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BTW- according to the current issue of MacWorld Magazine... "Garmin claims that it will have a client out by the end of the year (for the Mac)." See complete article on the Mac and GPS at http://www.macworld.com/2007/08/secr...emac/index.php
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15 Aug 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Explorador
Mr. Ron-
I like the idea of taking my Mac but have been worried about the constant vibration and what it might do. I'm riding a thumper- How do you pack your Mac and what are you riding?
Tom
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ya know, I really am surprised that there arn't more female overlanders 
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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
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15 Aug 2007
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Very good, Ted- that's probably why I've always liked BRitish humor so much...
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15 Aug 2007
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oh dear, oh dear... 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tedmagnum
ya know, I really am surprised that there arn't more female overlanders |
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
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