Gadgets to Go
On my recent business trip, my otherwise spartan packing took up a bit more room than usual. That's because I packed a bit more electronic gear than usual.
First, I had my camera and the associated paraphernalia — spare battery, charger, data cable, and extra memory card. Since I was attending as a photojournalist, my camera was a requisite tool. Next was the computer with all its accouterments. It was needed as a functional viewing tool — it's amazing how perfect a shot can appear on the camera's tiny screen only to later find it is unusable. The computer also serves as a backup device. Normally, I would have my thumb drive for a third backup, but I forgot it. I've never lost any files going through airport security, but why take unnecessary risks?
The third item was my digital recorder, which I used to record three podcasts. It's a slick device, holding up to 100 hours of recordings. When I transfer the files to my computer, they are automatically converted to MP3 files, ready to be played or posted. The fourth item was my iPod, which I used to pass the time in the airport and the plane (when it was allowed) listening to other people's podcasts. Lastly was my cell phone. Of course, there were a myriad of associated items that accompanied each device.
In the end, I had more pieces of technical gear than items of clothing — seriously.
I was concerned about keeping track of them all, especially smaller items, such as the iPod. Once I was so focused caring for my digital recorder, that I left my camera on the table. Fortunately it was still there when I returned in a panic a few minutes later. Later, I misplaced my digital recorder, eventually discovering that the breast pocket in my sports coat had a small hole and the sly device had worked its way into the garment's lining. It was quite a challenge to extricate it from its little burrow.
Anyway traveling with all that electronics gear made me feel a bit like a techno geek — wait a minute, I am.
First, I had my camera and the associated paraphernalia — spare battery, charger, data cable, and extra memory card. Since I was attending as a photojournalist, my camera was a requisite tool. Next was the computer with all its accouterments. It was needed as a functional viewing tool — it's amazing how perfect a shot can appear on the camera's tiny screen only to later find it is unusable. The computer also serves as a backup device. Normally, I would have my thumb drive for a third backup, but I forgot it. I've never lost any files going through airport security, but why take unnecessary risks?
The third item was my digital recorder, which I used to record three podcasts. It's a slick device, holding up to 100 hours of recordings. When I transfer the files to my computer, they are automatically converted to MP3 files, ready to be played or posted. The fourth item was my iPod, which I used to pass the time in the airport and the plane (when it was allowed) listening to other people's podcasts. Lastly was my cell phone. Of course, there were a myriad of associated items that accompanied each device.
In the end, I had more pieces of technical gear than items of clothing — seriously.
I was concerned about keeping track of them all, especially smaller items, such as the iPod. Once I was so focused caring for my digital recorder, that I left my camera on the table. Fortunately it was still there when I returned in a panic a few minutes later. Later, I misplaced my digital recorder, eventually discovering that the breast pocket in my sports coat had a small hole and the sly device had worked its way into the garment's lining. It was quite a challenge to extricate it from its little burrow.
Anyway traveling with all that electronics gear made me feel a bit like a techno geek — wait a minute, I am.
Posted by Peter DeHaan at 5/12/2008 4:59 PM 
Categories: Technology, Computers, Travel
Tags: travel packing Peter DeHaan blog author Peter DeHaan Peter DeHaan Musings Musings of Peter DeHaan
Categories: Technology, Computers, Travel
Tags: travel packing Peter DeHaan blog author Peter DeHaan Peter DeHaan Musings Musings of Peter DeHaan
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