Washington - Notebooks are made to hit the road. But many
people don't actually travel very often with them - until vacation
time, that is.
That's when lots of planning needs to be done to be sure that your
notebook gives you what you need when you're away. Here's a checklist
of things to remember when you're preparing your digital travel
companion for the big trip.
--- Security first
Thieves love notebook computers - and for many of the same reasons
you do. They're light, easy to transport, and they have a decent
resale value.
So before you go, be sure you're not going to satisfy the needs of
a notebook thief. First of all, consider ditching the notebook
carrying case, since these scream 'notebook computer' to everyone
around you. Notebooks and their accessories are small these days, and
they can fit just as easily in a less conspicuous carrying case, such
as a backpack or inside of carry-on luggage. Also, once you do expose
yourself as a notebook user - such as when you fire up your machine
at the airport - be especially vigilant thereafter.
Of course, notebooks can be stolen in all sorts of ways, and some
of those ways you really can't prepare well for. So if you keep
valuable or sensitive data on your notebook, consider investing in
tracing software that will help you or the authorities locate your
notebook, should it get stolen.
Laptop recovery software includes packages such as Absolute
Software's LoJack for Laptops
(http://www.absolute.com/products/lojack), PC PhoneHome
(http://www.pcphonehome.com), or zTrace
(http://www.yale.edu/securityawareness/ztrace.html). These programs
spring into action once the thieves attempt to go online with your
notebook. Depending upon the software, once the burglar goes online,
either the notebook's location is tracked, the computer is locked
down, or the data on the notebook is deleted or encrypted.
Investigate all of these solutions to find out which one is most
appropriate for you.
--- Back everything up
If the hard drive in your notebook computer is going to go belly
up, the bumps and bruises of the road are likely to be the cause. So
before you start moving, back up the data on your notebook computer.
External storage today is cheap, and using an external hard drive for
backups is as easy as plugging in a USB cable. So don't put the task
off. For critical data files, you may also want to consider using an
online backup service, such as Mozy (http://mozy.com), which could
make your most valuable data available to you from anywhere that you
have an Internet connection.
--- Have a power plan
If you'll need to use your notebook computer for long periods of
time on battery power - as on a long flight, for instance - you'll
need to think about how best to conserve power. First, before you go,
assess the longevity of your notebook computer's battery. Remember
that older batteries lose their charge more quickly - and they don't
hold a charge as well as newer ones. So if your notebook is outfitted
with an older battery, consider buying a replacement before you
leave. And take along a fully-charged spare battery for worry-free
mobile computing.
Even with a new battery, however, is pays to know how to get the
most out of it. By far the biggest power drain on a battery is the
notebook's LCD screen. Turning the LCD's brightness down can help
conserve battery power, as can setting the LCD up so that it powers
off more quickly than when you're at home. Use your operating
system's power settings to turn the display off after just a couple
of minutes of inactivity.
If your notebook computer is equipped with features you don't use
- such as Bluetooth or WWAN - turn them off. Doing so will conserve
yet more power and extend the life of the battery.
--- Internet access
These days, a notebook computer without Internet access can be
pretty useless, depending upon your needs. So scope out your access
to the Internet before you leave, and make provisions for having no
access well ahead of time.
If you need Internet access only at a hotel, make sure that the
hotel you stay at provides wireless or wired access. If wireless is
the only access available, ask for a room as close to the wireless
access point - or router - as possible.
If you need to stay connected while traveling by car, use a
cellular data card for roving Internet access. This type of Internet
connection is available anywhere that you can get cellular phone
service. Contact your wireless provider for details.
And if you do have roving Internet access, why not make the
notebook useful while you're driving? Google Maps or another general
purpose mapping site can help you locate your destinations - as well
as restaurants and hotels - while you're traveling.
--- Accessorise
Finally, don't forget to make a list of all of the little
accessories that make you truly productive with your notebook. Do you
rely, for example, on a compact flash or other digital card reader to
get images into your notebook? Be sure to throw that in the bag. And
will you be travelling to a foreign country where the electrical
outlets are different? Get a universal power adapter at a local
electronics store, and be sure to pack that. Everyone's notebook
toolkit is different. Just remember to take yours.
USA
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