Tag Archives: netbook

Bloggery

My Netbook

1 Comment
Windows 7 is the latest stable Windows operati...

Image via Wikipedia

Earlier this week I talked about my portable office. One of the keystones of that office is the netbook I got from my family for Christmas, which is utterly awesome.

I originally just wanted something portable and lightweight to let me do some writing, web surfing, check email, and maybe read PDFs. Instead, I got a Gateway 3103u (which originally came with Vista, but I used my Christmas money to upgrade to Windows 7, which is a massive improvement in many ways). While the screen is too small and the processor too weak to do things like run InDesign and high-level video games, I’m able to get a surprising amount of power out of it, and I’m able to use a lot of free software to cover my needs. Thus far, I’m running:

Productivity

Games

Internet

eBooks

Recording

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]
Writing

My Portable Office

2 Comments

Some days, I really feel like I’m living in the future.

In May last year I went looking for a new back to replace my Czech map case. I like the case — it had a lot of character — but I wanted something that would be able to carry a three-ring binder. I looked at some messenger bags and a few other options in stores, but nothing really struck the right balance with me. I poked around on Amazon for a while, and ultimately decided to pick up the M-51 Engineer’s Field bag (pictured at right).

I pretty much fell in love with this thing as soon as I got it. While it didn’t have a couple of specific pockets I was looking for (basically a moderately-sized pocket with a flap to dump loose stuff in), there’s so much else that’s perfect with this bag that I can’t imagine going without it.

But what really struck me recently was how much technology has evolved to be more portable and more powerful, making the idea of "bag as portable office" very real. I was prepared to spend an afternoon in a car dealership today[1], and it was comforting to know that I could continue to do quite a bit of my work with just the contents of my bag (and even more if I can find a wi-fi network connection). Let’s take a look at what I’ve had in my bag today to demonstrate.

Continue reading My Portable Office →