Posted by Ben Smith on Tue, Sep 30, 2008 @ 11:12 AM
I could have started this post with "Richard Stallman vs. the next thing that he doesn't have source to" but I decided to stay on point.
Guardian has posted and article in which Richard Stallman complains about Cloud Computing saying that web based services are a trap and we're all giving all of our precious data away to the big boys out there.
This type of comment is to be expected from Stallman, the founder of FSF and the creator of GNU who was featured prominently in the open source documentary "Revolution OS" from 2001. His interviews and comments in the documentary reveal that he wants all source to be open and free.
IMHO, his idealistic views lower his credibility on the subject...
Posted by Ben Smith on Fri, Sep 26, 2008 @ 04:41 PM
Just thought I'd let everyone know that there is a brand new look to the Mobile Office Technology Blog. Come on over and check it out.
I've also added a Suggest Topic page and a fancy new Mobile Tech News page where I'll post articles and you can vote on them!
Posted by Ben Smith on Fri, Sep 26, 2008 @ 02:41 PM
Previously I described the mobile office tech gadgets that I've been carrying around in the gadget bag for the last few years. I've recently refreshed the bag as I've been transitioning from one platform to another over the past couple of months. Here's what's in the gadget bag now:
- Acer Aspire One
- Replaced Linpus Lite with Ubunty 8.04 (Hardy Heron)
- 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor
- 8 GB SDD (enhanced with +4GB SD)
- T-Mobile Blackberry Pearl 8120
- 180 GB of external 2.5" USB drives
- Pharos BT GPS Receiver
Notice how much shorter the list is. I've gone from 7 to 4 in an effort to make room for newer mobile gadgets as they come out. Let's run down why each item is included in the bag now:
The Acer Aspire One is a fantastic little netbook that I picked up for $349. This is less than half the price of the Q1 and I was able to repurpose the RAM that I took out of the Q1 during an upgrade to enhance this little machine. It's zippy, easy to use, and Ubuntu runs fantastic on it. Battery life with the standard 3 cell battery is limited to about 2.25 hours and I am actively searching for the 6-cell extended battery so I can stop looking for open power outlets.
The T-Mobile Blackberry made it in since I wanted a cell phone that could work with WiFi and save on some cell minutes. The 8120 coupled with HotSpot calling makes for more calls, better service, and smaller bills. Additionally, a little Googling and hacking allows me to use the T-Mobile EDGE connection with the Aspire One with a USB tether. Not wireless like before, but for a Linux/T-Mo solution it works like a champ.
I still carry the same 180 GB of external drives (for now.) I'll be consolidating to a single 100 GB drive in the near future.
The Pharos BT GPS Receiver is the same receiver I've had, but I bought a used BT andapter for it on Amazon for cheap. MS Streets and Trips has been replace by Google Maps on the Blackberry (free, always updated, small, geeky.)
The current gadget bag doesn't have a 12-volt option, but since I'm traveling to Boston every week for a while and won't have a car, I figure this doesn't matter. The Aspire One gets charged with the small power brick that it came with and both the Blackberry and GPS get charged via USB from the Aspire One.
Posted by Ben Smith on Wed, Sep 17, 2008 @ 01:07 PM
I want to take this opportunity to thank Brian who just installed my Verizon FIOS internet service.
As you can see from the picture, FIOS is fast at my new apartment here in Dorchester, MA. Now I'll need to get more stuff to hook up to the WiFi to see if I can slow it down.
Interestingly enough, FIOS requires the installation of this really big box where the utilities come into the house. This box is wired into the electric for battery backup and they also had to run some new fiber from the telephone into the apartment. Pretty neat.
I only started with the internet service since I'm still paying for Comcast at my condo in Atlanta and my phone service is all through Vonage (and Verizon doesn't offer TV in this location just yet.)
As I play more, I'll keep you updated on how FIOS works for me.
Posted by Ben Smith on Tue, Sep 16, 2008 @ 08:11 AM
The Pew Internet & American Life Project just published a data memo on Cloud Computing that contains some very interesting statistics.
Check it out here.
Posted by Ben Smith on Mon, Sep 15, 2008 @ 07:44 AM
For the past couple of years my mobile office has consisted the following components:
- Samsung Q1
- Sierra Wireless Stowaway BT Keyboard
- Sierra Wireless BT Mouse
- iGo power adapter with Samsung and LG tips
- AT&T LG CU500
- 180 GB of external 2.5" USB drives
- Pharos USB GPS Receiver for MS Streets and Trips
All of these gadgets have served me well and make a pretty powerful impression on everyone at the airport when I pull them out. I'll provide individual reviews of each component in the future, but here's why these made it into the gadget bag:
The Samsung Q1, while not the first slate UMPC on the market, came out early enough in the UMPC game to catch my eye. It's sleek looking, a good performer, and makes for a great mobile Windows XP machine. The upgrades really kick it into overdrive! With both a 3-cell and 6-cell battery in the bag, I've got around 6.5 hours of mobile office time without needing an outlet.
The Sierra Wireless BT Keyboard and Mouse followed the Q1 as I learned that you can't always do everything you need on a slate UMPC. Writing and revising larger documents is a tedious chore by hand (especially when you've been typing for years instead of handwriting.)
The LG CU500 was purchased to be my personal mobile phone and BT 3G connection. While it makes for a great bluetooth modem, it actually lacks in the call quality department.
The iGo power adapter became necessary when I needed to consolidate power bricks and also have a 12-volt option for charging. I couldn't find a Samsung Q1 car kit anywhere and the iGo has at least surpassed my expectations.
180 GB of external drives goes without saying. I actually put these together with some cheap IDE to USB enclosures and some used HDDs from eBay on the cheap. In all, 180 GB cost about $60, and since they're 2.5 inch drives, they fit nicely into small pockets in the gadget bag.
The Pharos USB GPS Receiver made it into the kit when MS Streets and Trips 2007 came out. I had tried an older version of the software and thought it was pretty cool and bought 2007 (for retail...ugh) as soon as it came out.
Posted by Ben Smith on Thu, Sep 11, 2008 @ 04:53 PM
Welcome to MobileOfficeBlog.com!
Over the past 7 years I've had a chance to acquire and use a lot of mobile office technology gadgets. Now, inspired by my new job and a move towards cloud computing, I've decided to share my reviews, observations, stories with the internet masses.
Stay tuned for more as I get my thoughts in order. Upcoming posts will include previous and current inventories of my gadget bag and then I'll start diving into the reviews/observations of the various gadgets.
Thanks for stopping by MobileOfficeBlog.com! Talk to you soon!