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. . . but let's say you still want to keep in touch with the world. So, we have coordinated a number of voice-data
alternatives. All of these can support a solar charger for the batteries, and the associated hard/software you will ever
need on the road.
Whether you are on a bicycle tour from Canada to Mexico, hiking the Great Divide,
fire-grilling scampi at Yosemite Park, getting a killer tan in the Mojave desert, or cruising the Pacific Coast highway in
your camper van, you can still be connected to your office "at the touch of a button".. It is all just a matter of how much
you are willing to spend to reach out and touch someone.
BICYCLE TOURING - FREE - $10
TELEPHONE (LANDLINES)
Whether traveling on county roads or major highways you will run onto outside pay phone booths. Carrying a $10 roll of quarters,
&/or a phone card will ensure that you will be able to use them, any time of day or night.
FREE EMAIL & INTERNET ACCESS:
During your travels, in small towns, there will be public libraries open 9am to 5pm, Monday - Friday. These libraries will
have Public Access computers that you can use one hour per day for free (before noon is the best time). Use this time wisely
to read and answer emails, print out needed topographical maps, or do research to learn about the local attractions. Churches
may also help with electical outlet use to recharge your batteries.
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CELL/SMART PHONES:
Cell phones usually work in state parks, and near towns of 2,500 or more. Even on de-activated cell phones you can still access
911 in case of emergency. Small handheld CB transceivers will have a range of up to 8 miles . Walkie-talkies usually have
a range of 2 - 5 miles depending on batteries.
"CELLPHONES/PLANS FOR THE ROAD" that we would suggest,(<$160)
- These are the phones with the highest ratings, most desirable features, and lowest cost.
- All are basic national plans, listed in order of highest to lowest customer satisfaction.
- Not all companies serve all areas, and these prices do not include any special offers or available rebates.
NEXTEL: "National Instant Connect 500" Plan = $50/month
---PHONE: Motorola i95cl, $100
VERIZON WIRELESS: "America's Choice 300" Plan = $39/month
---PHONE:
LG VX 4400B, $160
SPRINT PCS: "Free and Clear Nationwide 300" Plan = $38/month
---PHONE:
Samsung SPH-A460, $100
CINGULAR: "SuperHome 300" Plan = $35/month
---PHONE:
Motorola V60i, $100
T-MOBILE: "Get More" 600 Plan = $40/month
---PHONE: Samsung SGH-x105, $100
AT&T WIRELESS: "mLife National 200" Plan = $34/month,
---PHONE: Motorola V120T, $50
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L A P T O P S :
Writers are a different breed, when they need to write, they NEED to write. Biking through state parks or RV parks they will
find access to phone jacks & 120 Volt electrical outlets to recharge the batteries for their cell/smart phone, or laptop computer.
If AT&T is your landline Internet Service Provider, they will allow you to use multiple dial-up numbers for your laptop.
"LAPTOPS FOR THE ROAD" THAT WE WOULD RECOMMEND:
- Listed in decending order of shock- & weather-resistance - in an outside environment. All under 3 lb & $1300:
Panasonic Toughbook R1, 5 hr. battery run time.
Fujitsu Lifebook P1120, 9 hr. battery run time.
Toshiba Libretto L5, 4.5 hr. battery run time.
HP Tablet PC TC1000, 4 hr. battery run time.
WIRELESS LAPTOP INTERNET ACCESS:
--- Again, listed in decending order of quality & dependable
--- connections in available areas, determined by zip code.
NEXTEL: "Online Premium Web" Unlimited Mb, Full Service Package = Phone + Basic Service + $15/month
VERIZON: "National Access 20Mb" Plan = $150 AirPrime PC-5220 "National Access" card + $40/month
SPRINT: "PCS Vision for PCS Connection Card" Plan 20Mb = $170 AirPrime PC-3200 PCS Connection Card + $40/month
CINGULAR: "Wireless Internet Express" 20Mb Plan = Phone + Basic Service + $35/month
T-MOBILE: "Internet Unlimited Mb" Plan = Phone + Basic Service + $30/month
AT&T Wireless: "mMode Ultra" 8Mb Plan = Phone + Basic Service + $20/month
GloPhone + Headset = FREE Worldwide Internet Phone Calls Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
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Portable Folding Solar Panel
- Bicycle rack-friendly Solar Panel for charging batteries while riding or resting in camp.
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HIKING in the mountains - $45/week + $1.50/minute
Iridium Satellite Phone Rental
iSUN Solar Cell Phone Charger
The GPS Store.com
- Sells Global Positioning Receiver units with 2-way radio for the car, hiking and camping.
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CAMPING IN A KOA CAMPGROUND - $149 + $40/month
Sprint PCS Personal
- Two PCS Vision Picture Phones.
Hewlett-Packard.com
- Best notebook Media Center (Pavillion ZD7000), and -iPAQ Pocket PC.
Palm Gear.com
- Free & commercial programs downloadable.
Solar Laptop & Cell phone charger
Logitech.com
DiNovo Media Desktop keyboard/mouse acts as BlueTooth hub for PDA's, cell phones, printers and headsets. Also the best joystick,
Extreme 3D Pro.
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TANNING ON THE BEACH - $299 + $60/month
Samsung USA.com
- SGH-v206 Smartphone, color digital camera, Windows OS, E-mail, PDA, MSN IM, or play games, all on AT&T's MMS wireless web
access, plus world-roaming network. 5 oz, 3.5" X 2" X 1".
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CRUISING THE HIGHWAY - Your laptop + $80/month
Sprint PCS
Business
- World-roaming capability, wireless laptop connection to internet with PCS CONNECTION card
Solar Battery Charger for appliances
APC TravelPower Case
Charges your laptop, cell phone and PDA, all at the same time.
Your Mobile Desk.com
- Specializes in portable-computing accessories.
Tracker Pod.com
- Remote person-tracking Robotic webcam for surveillance.
Altec Lansing.com
- The "251" is the best 6-speaker Surround Sound set for under $100.
Internet Traffic Report.com
- Shows the speed and reliability of internet connections around the world.
PC 911
- Serves up Windows tweaks, how-tos, and free software to make you PC more productive, fun, and smooth-running.
Software Patch.com
- Download patches, upgrades, service packs and harware drivers.
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SOFTWARE:
www.BestBuy.com - Best place to buy software, also has peripherals, digital gear & retail.
www.CompUSA.com - Best place to buy retail, and 2nd best place to buy software.
www.Rebate-Tracker.com - Shows a running total of how much you're owed and will notify you when a rebate is overdue.
www.FreewarePro.com - An archive of free software for windows.
www.Jumbo.com - Features shareware, freeware, and commercial-software demos and articles.
www.OldVersion.com - An archive of previous versions of applications, internet clients, utilties and media players.
www.Simtel.net - For shareware, freeware, and public-domain-software downlods.
SoftwareCheaper.com - Sells software with all titles less than $5 and some as cheap as .99 cents, & .99 cents flat rate USPS shipping.
www.DriverGuide.com - 100,000+ downloadable drivers.
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HARDWARE:
cNet.com - Computer Shopper Magazine.
CDW.com - Computer Discount Warehouse with 1,200 leading technology brands.
NewEgg.com - Best place to buy components, also has 58,000 product reviews.
ResellerRatings.com - Rates 4,400 online computer stores.
HealthyComputing.com - Impartial advice on choosing an ergonomic keyboard, monitor and desk.
ComputerGeeks.com - Everything for the Do-it-Yourself PC Builder.
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