We posted several weeks ago that improving camera phones mean you may be able to leave one more thing out of your travel kit: the camera that’s just a camera. Kodak and Motorola have collaborated on what may be the best one yet - the Motozine ZNS. It’s worth a look.
It’s promised by the end of the year and is said to offer one-touch upload to a Kodak online account. I like the idea of uploading trip pictures daily (or hourly) so those back home can see them almost live.
Leave a Comment
Email
Print
More first-class rage:
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — Guyanese authorities say a first-class airline passenger was so angry at seeing economy passengers leave a jetliner before him that he yanked open an emergency hatch and slid down the chute. - USA Today
And more from the airborne (or, in this case, stuck-at-the-gate) summer of love:
MYFOXNY.COM — A flight from Florida to New York Sunday night never got off the ground. That’s because after the flight crew arrived late, angry and impatient passengers got verbally agitated and hostile. Apparently it was so bad, the crew wasn’t comfortable working the flight so they refused to take off.
Ipod junkies and word-processing road warriors rejoice:
Minneapolis-St. Paul now has 22 charging stations throughout the Lindbergh and Humphrey Terminals. Sponsored by Samsung Mobile, the 8½-foot-tall towers include four outlets per station, letting travelers recharge their electronic devices for free.
Similar stations are available at five other airports: New York’s John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia, Los Angeles, Orlando and Dallas/Fort Worth. - from USA Today’s Airport Check-in
Elliott.org on first-class passengers behaving badly:
Elites can be demanding customers, but hell hath no fury like a card-carrying frequent flier bumped down to steerage class. I’ve seen it. Every time I snag a bulkhead or exit row seat with the other un-upgraded suits, I get a lesson on how to get a free drink from a flight attendant. It’s embarrassing.
Some travelers don’t even bother to ask. Consider the case of Bert Niepel, a German banker who was apparently unaccustomed to sitting in the cheap seats. So Niepel reportedly upgraded himself to a seat in the first class section on a recent flight from Berlin to New York. Then he refused repeated requests to return to his seat in economy class. Finally Niepel flew into a rage, forcing the pilot to lock the cockpit door and divert the flight to Manchester, England, where Niepel was arrested and fined. It could have been worse. Two years ago, passengers stormed the first class section of a Boeing 747 operated by Pakistan International Airlines after it sat on a hot Islamabad tarmac. More than a dozen would-be first class passengers were arrested. - more…
Thanks to OBOWer Skip we have new pictures attached to the reader review of the MEI Executive Overnighter - the bag OBOW readers (125 comments) helped to shape! And it looks great. I’ve stayed out of the way on this one and let the experts (the users) run with it.
Thanks for OBOW reader Flerdle for this fine, detailed look at the tiny Eee PC:
I tend to be the sort of person who travels at least as much
technology as clothes, so an upcoming work-and-play trip to Europe
over the summer and a growing interest in one bag travel prompted me
to get this little baby - the EeePC, from Asus. I waited until the
8.9” version came out and got one yesterday. Here are some photos and
first impressions of use, of the EeePC 900, with Linux. Photos were
taken with my camera phone.
PARTS
All the bits you need are in the (small) box. The recovery disk needs
to be transferred to an external drive or flash disk for use,
obviously, as there is no dvd drive but 3 usb slots and an SD card
slot. There is an ethernet slot but no modem. The quick-start guide
and the user manual are easy to follow but fairly brief, so most
really useful information is probably best taken from the web.
Thankfully, it works straight out of the box and you will be online in
no time.
SIZE
Firstly, I have to say it’s small. Really, REALLY small. I have small
hands, so touch-typing is not too difficult, but if you have larger
hands - many men may fall into this category, unfortunately - you may
find you have to alter your typing style. It’s half the size of my 15”
macbook pro and only a little bigger than a large paperback, slightly
shorter than a hardback book. It really is just under 1kg. There is a
soft sleeve which is great for cushioning it in whatever (small)
daypack you choose but I can see it getting fairly dirty quickly.
Carrying around the power cord as well will need a slightly larger
bag. The power cord(s) comes with handy attached velcro strips to keep
it all neat. The cords weigh 240g or so, with a small “brick” and thin
cord to the computer, with the brick connecting to a plug cord with a
double-pin connector on the non-wall end. This part may be
interchangeable with that going to a camera charger, ipod charger plug
or small radio for further lightness. [I don’t know how to further
describe it. I can take a photo…]
BATTERY
Since we’re taking it on the road, issues about usage time are very important.
I didn’t check the initial battery charge-up time, but it would be
about an hour or two, much longer if you are using it at the time.
Battery life seems to be good (make sure you get the 5800mAh version -
UK buyers beware!). It seems to automatically swap to a more
power-saving mode (primarily cranking back the processor speed) when
the plug is pulled, but it seems not to suffer any performance issues
on simple use at least (web browsing, typing). The battery life
GREATLY depends on what you’re doing, how bright you have the screen,
and what peripherals you have plugged in.
I would expect 2 1/2 hours easily and up to 3 hours out of this on the
road, depending on what you’re doing. The battery meter is probably
fairly coarse and unreliable, so getting a feel for how it works for
you is a good idea before you depart.
This is of course very rough, but a fairly real-world test of the
system “out of the box”: 45min typing indoors with wireless on
occasionally checking webpages, then 105 minutes streaming audio with a
little video before there was a (20%) low battery warning. I played
videos for another 15 minutes then reconnected the power. This means
that 2 3/4 hours of mixed use is easily obtainable. It shuts down at
10% remaining, but this may be able to be altered in settings
somewhere (at least for XP) since reports are that you can safely get
an extra half an hour beyond that.
The newer 901 version should have better battery life as well as a few
other improvements.
SCREEN.
The screen is small but very clear. I think the 8.9” screen, 1024x600,
is sufficient for surfing and writing. Most web pages don’t need side
scrolling, and documents don’t either. I wouldn’t like it to be any
smaller - so if you are thinking of getting one of these, I think the
900 or 901 is about a perfect compromise between smallness and
usability. 7” I would find annoyingly small.
The over 40s and long-armed will need their glasses. Font size is
easily changed and the fonts and images are sharp. I dropped the
screen brightness to 40%, as really that was all that was needed
indoors. Outdoors you will need to crank it back up.
USE
It takes about 15-20 seconds to fully boot. Shutdown is very fast.
The initial interface is the so-called “easy mode”, with tabs and big
icons for the various things you might like to do - internet, work,
play etc. You can change over to a more traditional advanced desktop
mode, which takes a few steps but is very well outlined in the eeepc
user wiki (http://wiki.eeeuser.com). This is more customizable and
offers access to more applications. The applications that are included
are basic but very usable - Firefox, Thunderbird, a multiple
messenger client, text editor, picture viewer, Open Office (word
processing, spreadsheet etc), games, etc. Adding software may prove to
be a little tricky, but getting tips is easy if you go to a user forum
such as the one at http://www.eeeuser.com . For most travel purposes -
keeping in touch, taking notes/writing, checking up on things - it
comes with all you need straight out of the box. The version of linux
they use is actually not scary, especially for new users, a far cry
from my first laptop installation of Linux back in 1995…
The system takes up about 65% of a 4GB internal SSD, with extra
storage on another internal 16GB SDD. Extra storage can be gained by
using either SD cards, flash memory sticks or external hard drives
which can be quite cheap and compact. 20GB might sound fairly small,
but going larger than that would require hard discs which draw more
power and may be more susceptible to motion damage.
1GB of RAM seems fine. You can upgrade to 2GB.
NETWORKING
Setting up the wireless access is very easy. It automatically detected
my mac-based home network (including the printer) and worked out what
sort of password key format was needed for the network security.
Printing over the network is quick and easy. I have not taken it out
on the road yet, but the range of the wireless seems to be very good.
There is no bluetooth, so getting pictures from a camera phone will
need either a bluetooth adapter or a usb cord or removal of the card
from the camera and use of an adapter card or card reader. This is a
slight annoyance, which may be solved in the 901 if both versions get
bluetooth.
CONTROL
The keyboard is slightly springy, which can be a little disconcerting,
and possibly because of this some of the keys may have a tendency to
not strike if you are not spot-on — leading to missed characters if
you are typing fast. The number keys seem slightly further to the left
than usual, leading to some mis-strikes, particularly the - key. The
right shift key is very small, so you might find you hit the up key
accidentally a lot. There is also a tendency to hit the enter instead
of the ‘. Apart from that, it seems quite usable.
The trackpad is somewhat temperamental, taking a little concentration
to use with accuracy. Tap-clicking is good (sometimes it doesn’t seem
to detect?), double-finger scrolling and zoom are very nice touches,
and the single-looking touchpad button is actually a kind of rocker,
with right and left click sides.
MULTIMEDIA
The speaker is, weirdly, UNDER the trackpad. If it’s sitting on your
lap or on a desk it’s still happily audible but you might like to pack
the headphones.
The 1.3MP webcam is basic but ok - certainly no worse than the old
eyeball type I had a couple of years ago.
Youtube works well - there is some jumpiness but that might be the
videos themselves! Streaming audio worked out of the box through
firefox choosing realmedia player (abc.net.au/rn). Trying to surf or
use filemanager or system preferences while listening seemed to mute
the player (speaker or headphones); other activities seemed ok. I will
have to investigate if there are other such clashes and see if there
are other workarounds. (no problem with youtube; might be a realaudio
problem). A downloaded .wmv video file played fine in the native media
player.
CONCLUSIONS
Even with an updated version coming soon (the 901) this is an
impressive little machine and I will be happy to take it with me. I
have been waiting for this for some time now - the airport “laptop
shuffle” gets very tedious after a while. The EeePC 900t does
“compact”, “easy” and “useful” very, very well. As a roadwarrior it
and other upcoming very small laptops are ideal for the light
traveler. If you need all your bells and whistles, take your usual
computer. If you need to take notes, get online, and one or two other
things, all at a very reasonable price, this is perfect for the
onebagger. I am very happy.
Brad
RRP does appear to be $549 or less.
Exact details will change, so i don’t think it is worth putting in the
article other than in a more condensed form: Best price is $519 (PC
Case Gear, Oakleigh South or mailorder for about $10-$20 postage; but
they are actually out of stock until “end of June”). Next with more
central stores and actual availability - call first - are $535
(Computer Parts Land, West Melbourne), and $539 (MLN, North Melbourne
& Richmond); Others e.g. online should be near that to around $550 (eg
laptop.com.au) to $565 (i-tech.com.au). Then you get to Myer (large
department store) who has the XP version only for $549. JB Hi-Fi and
Harvey Norman (discount electrical/misc stores) should be around the
same. Other major cities should have similar cheap computer reseller
outlets with similar prices.
Price should probably drop over the next month; I would expect expect
$500 or less, depending on sales and how quickly the 901 comes out.
Availability of the 900 might increase OR become more patchy because
of this, depending on ASUS’s production.
I will get about $49 tax back under our duty-free/traveller gst rebate
scheme so felt ok about getting it a little earlier so i could
experiment with it.
Choose one or the other, but neither is desirable:
A call to your congressman supporting H.R. 6355 might be a good idea. Unless you like being imprisoned in sweltering, stinking, delayed airplanes.
“A new, separate Bill providing significant relief for air passengers from extended on-board delays was welcomed today by Kate Hanni, founder-president of the Coalition for Airline Passengers’ Rights, Health and Safety, formerly Coalition for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights (CAPBOR). The new Bill, H.R. 6355, was introduced in Congress on June 24 by Congressman James Oberstar, chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Congressman Jerry Costello, chairman of the Aviation subcommittee.
“Despite frustrations inevitably encountered in the process, we are delighted that passengers’ rights are clearly now on the agenda of the House’s appropriate leadership,” Ms. Hanni said. “This Bill is intended to move passengers’ rights legislation along on its own merit, since similar passenger legislation was already passed by the House in the FAA Reauthorization Act, which has become stalled in the Senate,” she added.
H.R. 6355, the “Air Service Improvement Act of 2008,” requires air carriers and large and medium hub airports to file emergency contingency plans with the Secretary of Transportation for her review and approval. The Secretary may establish minimum standards for plans and require airlines to modify the plans they submit. These plans must detail how the air carrier will provide food, water, restroom facilities, ventilation, and necessary medical treatment for passengers on board an aircraft that is on the ground for an extended time period without terminal access. The Coalition had fought hard for plans that required Transportation Department approval, as opposed to the voluntary plans the DOT, favored.
Airlines that do not comply are subject to a $25,000 per day penalty. The Bill will also establish an Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection.” - eTurboNews
The LA Times reports that federal agents are randomly seizing laptops at customs:
Nice. Maybe the feds just wanted to see if he was current with his Windows updates. Maybe they did a complimentary upgrade to Firefox 3.
- LA Times luggage wars overview:
- TSA asking for security-friendly laptop bags to speed screening:
- And more from the UK about luggage that will never fit in the overhead but could be used to tow the plane.
Why not go the easy route? If you must pack an 80-pound monster and pay extortionate overweight fees you can now at least avoid dragging the beast. LiveLuggage mpw offers motorized luggage. From London’s Daily Mail:
Pressure sensors built into the handle monitor how hard the case is pulled.
The engines then provide torque to compensate. So as the user walks, it follows them as though it weighs nothing.
MSNBC on Life after the $15 baggage fee:
Passengers will need to beware American’s newest employees: The Luggage Police. Anticipating resistance to the surcharge, American has wisely laid on extra bodies. These employees are, essentially, enforcers.
Their task will be to monitor strategic locations (security lines, for instance) to see that passengers aren’t toting more than their share of Louis Vuitton. Customers with too many items or bags too large to bring on board “will be assisted in checking their luggage,” the airline said.
This idea raises questions. For instance, how will American’s baggage employees “assist” passengers, exactly? (We can see it now: “Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to come with me …”)
The story goes on to reveal that those forced to gate check will get to pay the fee by swiping a credit card! I wondered how they were going to get the money at the last minute. Surely this won’t cause any delays. We’ve heard of air rage. Get ready for gate rage.
Read more about this issue at airfarewatchdog.com’s blog. An excerpt:
American spokesman Tim Smith is confident that that those required to pay the fee won’t have a prayer of getting around it.
Unless, of course, you manage to sneak your contraband roller board past “curbside check-in, ticket counter check-in, self-serve kiosk check-in, our people stationed before security, the TSA checkpoint itself….without anyone noticing,” he says.
Brad
The predictions keep coming and they aren’t good:
Now that the airlines have hiked their checked bag fees — and have gotten away with it — prepare to pay for carry-on baggage.
That’s right. Carry-on baggage…
With delays inevitable with all the people fighting for overhead space, the airlines will be forced to start charging a carry-on fee for anything larger than a paperback novel. While the new fees have just been implemented, many are predicting chaos both during boarding and at the security lines.
Mark my words, this new fee will be spun as a way to speed up boarding time. The airlines will claim they are doing this to ensure on-time departures. - Ron Goltsch on Tripso.com
Another opinion piece if favor of fees for carry-on luggage:
It might make sense to limit the size of the checked bags or to charge for additional checked baggage — or even charge people for carry-on luggage. Checked baggage is considered pretty safe, whereas carry-on luggage has to go through extra screenings. It makes more sense to charge for carry-on bags than checked baggage. - EnidNews.com
A piot’s written rant:
“Unfortunately, the government insists that security theater, and not actual security, is in the nation’s best interest. If it makes you feel any better, our crew had to endure the same screening as the passengers. Never mind that the baggage loaders, cleaners, caterers, and refuelers receive only occasional random screening. You can rest easy knowing that I do not have a pair of scissors or an oversize shampoo bottle anywhere in my carry-on luggage.” - Reader’s Digest
AOL Travel’s Peter Greenberg says don’t take too literal an approach to airport information - or rules:
I’m one of those people who consciously disobeys airport signs and airline instructions — in most cases, because they’re either misleading, or wrong. And you should as well.
Consider the airport departure boards: they constantly lie. The words “On Time” are — as I think we would all agree — relative. Is the plane “scheduled” to leave on time? Of course it is. But that doesn’t mean it will.
Here’s what I do. When I get to the airport, I only look at the departure board to determine what gate my flight is scheduled to leave from. And then I immediately ignore all other information on the departure side. Instead, I go immediately to the arrivals board and check to see what is arriving at my supposed departure gate. If nothing is arriving there until next Tuesday, I now know I won’t be leaving from that gate. The key here is to get solid information and to retain as many options as you can in the flying experience. - AOL
This cool digital pocket scale from Magellan’s could pay for itself if it keeps you from going overweight on one flight! It’s way cooler and more portable than my old analog model. Be careful though, everyone in line may want to use it!Brad
American plans to more aggressively pull customers aside at boarding gates if the airline thinks they have too much carry-on baggage, as well as step up announcements about size limits in gate areas and on airplanes. United says it is still formulating its plans, but may try to gate-check bags for customers in later boarding groups before boarding begins for fully booked flights.
All three airlines say it’s possible that metal templates - which prevent larger bags from making it through X-ray machines - will be reintroduced. That’s a tactic that angered many customers in the past and was eliminated when the Transportation Security Administration took control of screening after the 2001 terrorist attacks.”It’s something we’ve looked at in the past and may look at again,” says Mark Dupont, American’s senior vice president of airport services planning.’ - eTurboNews (underlinging my own - Brad)
