LIVEdigitally

Introduction

For many of us our notebook is our main computer, or even our only computer. We explored this a few months back. Notebook sales have exceeded desktop sales for the last year or so, and the trend is likely to continue. The main attraction of a notebook is portability in a reasonably sized form factor (although those 10 pound behemoths stretch the definition of “portable”). With the need (real or perceived) to be connected all the time to our email accounts, blogs, and the entire World Wide Web, it’s no wonder that we can’t seem to leave our notebooks at home anymore. Heck, even hotels on the beach in Hawaii offer WiFi access!

For the advanced notebook user on the go, more than just the notebook always travels. A bag stuffed full of accessories also comes along (incidentally, ever notice that the smaller the notebook, the more accessories the guy or gal seems to have with them? It makes me wonder if they should just buy the larger, better featured notebook to begin with). The other essential component, for anything further than the backyard, is the power supply and its cords. Sure, we’ve been promised an eight hour battery life with a miserly processor that sips electrons one at a time. The reality is that the computers we tote along have only a two to three hour battery life, with everything brand new. Using the wireless capability diminishes the untethered time even faster. To finish watching that DVD of “The Aviator” (2 hours and 50 minutes without the special features), you better not forget the power supply and cord. (more…)

I have done many crazy things looking for WiFi spots. I’ve slowly walked through the streets, computer in hand, despratly seeking a neighbor who didn’t lock me out. No longer I say!

Popular Science wrote an excellent “How To” article on producing your own portable WiFi spot out of a backpack. Follow the simple instructions (with McGuyver music playing in thebackground) and you got yourself a solar powered backpack that will get you connected to the net. A true hackers dream.

It is a do-it-yourself endeavor, but it aint exactly cheap. Expect to spend a little over $1,000, or what I like to call a “G.”

I heard that subliminal messages were piped in under those elevator jams that they got going in grocery and department stores. Whether or not that’s true, I don’t know. I do know that stores of all kind are moving towards technology to help market their products.

The club cards that track our purchases and cater coupons to our needs are just the iceberg’s tip. RFID transmitters that track item movements, (like picking up the leading brand of shampoo and then putting it back in order to opt for generic 2-in-1) and video cameras track shopper’s movements. Temperatures are adjusted, demographically aimed music is streamed via internet, and sensors alert bank managers when too many people pile up in a single line. Some people may feel that the stores are tricking them into buying more, or are invading privacy of shoppers. I say bring on the tech savvy stores, the tech-ier the better!