Hardware

Notebook Computer

I've used both Apple and Windows machines while traveling and, though there are a lot of good laptops out there, I currently recommend the Apple iBook with System X. If you're using a digital camera you'll appreciate the built-in iPhoto application that arranges your pictures in thumbnail format and lets you file them into albums, and even easily make a Quicktime slideshow for sending via email or uploading to the Web.

Digital Camera

I highly recommend the Olympus C-series cameras for quality and performance, a prosumer camera that costs around $500. I've tested them in India's humidity, dust, and the vibration from my Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle; in Europe, and America, too, and they've performed very well. Buy a recharger and nickle-metal hydride rechargeable batteries for longest performance. Lisa just bought the Canon

Camcorder

I finally entered the digital video world with Sony's popular DCR-PC9, a tiny digital video camera with a swivel screen and night shot. It's loaded with features but user friendly, too, which perhaps explain its popularity. Professional videographers probably scoff at the editing software that comes bundled with this camera, but I'm not ready for anything more than the basics. I tried iMovie (which comes with the Apple iBook) and found it incredibly intuitive. Look on the Web for the best price.

Backup Media

CD ROMs are passé and for good reason. They're not large enough to hold all the data you need to store, and they are notoriously flakey. You really need two copies of the same CD, just to be sure. So make the investment in a pocket hard drive and make backing up easy. There are a variety of pocket-sized hard drives on the market and any of them will do, but my best recommendation is the Apple iPod. You heard right. Basically, the iPod is just a hard drive. You can plug it in to any computer and download (and upload) data. The more expensive the iPod, the larger the hard drive in it. It's as simple as that.

Connectors, Transformers, Plugs, Cables, etc.

TeleAdapt has the most complete array of connectivity products and services in the world, including telephone adapters, plug adapters, transformers, converters, and even a phone-in tech support service. Buy one of their "country" packs or a "world pack" if you're making big travel plans. If you have trouble connecting overseas, just call their nearest office, and they'll walk you through the connectivity process, wherever you are. Don't wait until your overseas to find an adapter...unless you're visiting a big city, you probably won't find one.

Paranoia is a Heathy Travel Companion

I carry this laptop cable with me everywhere, for peace of mind when I leave it in a hotel room, a conference center, or I'm working in a public place where I'm wary of thieves. I also carry the DEFCON 1 Ultra, below.
http://www.ComputerSecurity.com
800/466-763610

This is one of the most versatile devices I've found and I really never leave home without it. The DEFCON 1 Ultra has a retractable cable that attaches to the security slot in your laptop and can also be looped around your purse, suitcase handle, camera bag...whatever, and secured to your chair or another difficult-to-move object. If the cable is cut the device shrieks, and really loudly. You can also activate the motion detector to sound the alarm if it senses movement. I've set it on my motorcycle to alert me if someone's messing about on it, I've used it to secure my backpack, camera, and purse on long train trips, as a peace-of-mind system in airports and in busy restaurants, and as a hotel-door alarm, too--I just hang it from the door knob so it'll sound if someone tries to open it.
http://www.targus.com
800/242-3133

I tested the TrackIT 110 decibel alarm (with a key ring transmitter) when I worked at PC World as a gadget reviewer, and it's a great little device. You put the alarm in your suitcase, purse, computer bag...whatever, and keep the transmitter in your pocket. When the alarm is separated from the transmitter by more than 10 to 40 feet (you select the distance), the alarm goes off and the thief will (usually) drop it and run. It works through walls, windows and around corners, too. This is a great device for dicey areas where thieves are especially clever at quietly separating you from your valuables.
http://www.trackitcorp.com
888/487-2251

Software

Web Design Software

Web design software allows you to create Web pages without actually having to code in HTML. You can insert text, photographs, graphics, video and audio from other programs and experiment with page layout using all the WYSIWYG menus and windows. To begin, save a Web page you like as "source," then open the HTML file in your Web design program to modify it and insert your own photos. I use Dreamweaver but many graphic artists and photographers tell me they prefer the GoLive! package. These programs are really key to creating a Web site quickly.

Photo Editing Software

These days every digital camera comes with easy-to-use photo enhancing software. While they're adequate, I wouldn't dream of using anything other than Photoshop. However, unless you're an expert, or plan to become one, you won't need this expensive program for basics like color enhancement and sizing, and if you're using iPhoto, it's getting better with every release.

Word Processing / Text Editing

Word processing programs like Microsoft Word are handy because they have features like spell check and now even feature a "Save As HTML" function that works pretty well at creating a basic Web page from the document.

Data Transfer Program (FTP)

You can find a variety of FTP (File Transfer Protocol) programs on http://www.download.com. An FTP program is necessary to transfer your pages to your Web site. You simply connect to your server (ask your ISP how), enter your identifying data (host name, user ID and password) into the FTP program window, and then simply drag the web pages you created from your computer hard drive to your ISP's server, which will "publish" it on the Web for everyone to see. This is the last, magical step to publishing your page. I recommend the Transmit FTP program for the Mac.

Putting it All Together

It's very important to carefully organize your site before you go so that when you're5 on the road you won't become confused. You'll write your text and enhance and size your photos, insert them into your pre-designed pages, connect to the Web, FTP them to your site, and enjoy the rest of your evening. Here's what it takes:

1. Carefully organize your folders so that your HTML files can find your images, audio and video clips, and so that the links between your pages remain consistent. Your Web design software has an organization tool that makes this easy. Pay careful attention to where your program wants your images to be.

2. Decide upon naming conventions for all of your files, such as Paris_Day01.html and Paris_01.jpg. Stick to them!

3. Collect existing graphics, text, and other common elements in a separate folder.

4. Create empty folders on your computer's hard drive that match each section of your site (such as Home, Dispatches, Photo Gallery, Credits and Contact).

5. Create a template for each style of page you'll be creating, and create the shells of pages you anticipate needing. Put text in them like "Stay tuned! This page will be active November 7th."

6. FTP these to your site and test them on the Web, making sure that all the links work.

7. When you've worked out all the kinks, FTP the folders to your server and, voila! You have a site!

Internet Connection Software

America Online and Earthlink are two great big companies that provide Internet access all over the world. It might be worth it to sign up with one of them if you travel a lot for short periods of time, but the bill can be high if you're working for an extended period overseas, as our own Cathy Miller found. "I hooked up on Earthlink until I got a bill for $600 and that was the end of that little foray into the cyber world. After that was when I found Inter.net Traveler (see the review I wrote in the Europe issue). I love them! They provide unlimited access in most countries for $27.95/month and have great 24 hour support—in English—with 800 numbers in every country in Western Europe. And they answer immediately. Try that with Earthlink!"

Miller also recommends a chain of internet cafes called Easy Internet Cafes, "which are springing up all over Europe. We used them in Munich, Rome, Edinburgh and other places. In Rome I took my laptop into a cavernous black basement and hooked it up to their DSL line. They are like these huge warehouse places with little customer service, but cheap at 2 Euros/hour."

As a professional journalist I've been able to finagle Internet access with companies I work with when I travel. When I motorcycled across China, I traded realtime articles for Internet access with China Business World, who gave me an all-China access number. In Italy I used the RoadPost cellphone and Internet connection service which was great, reliable, even luxurious, but not cheap.

Wireless Internet Access

Recently I put an Airport card in my iBook to get access to WiFi (wireless Internet) connections everywhere. Check the WiFi freespot directory for free WiFi access spots all over the world. Check the Wi-Fi Hot Spot Directory for both commerical and free access where you're going. (I just paid a $10 fee for a day-long WiFi access at Oakland Airport, because I really needed it, and not too long ago took advantage of San Francisco airport's free access. Starbucks used to offer free WiFi hot access, but now they've implemented a for-pay system. Apple Computer stores have free WiFi, so you can just sit outside and dial-up. Some cities, like Portland, Oregon, are starting to offer free WiFi access anywhere in the downtown area. San Francisco is full of hot spots, as you might imagine, but so is Rome, Italy. I've used WiFi access at friends' houses and in companies where I am interviewing someone for a story. Wireless access is becoming so pervasive that it's worth considering putting a WiFi card in your computer, even if you only use it at home and around town. (It's great to be able to get out of the office and connect from the living room, the back yard, or in bed.) Here's an interesting tale I found while researching free WiFi: wireless in san francisco: a day's travel{b}logue is a virtual tour of the city and also a very good example of how weblogs can be put to good use as a tool for writing travelogues.

Connecting by Phone

WARNING: Hotel Digital PBX systems will literally fry your modem (smoke and all, no kidding). If I'm uncertain about the connection I use digital line tester (small gadget that plugs into the telephone plug), or just ask to use the hotel's fax line instead, because fax lines are always analog. TeleAdapt also sells a TeleSwitch Plus device that provides an analog connection over virtually any office or hotel digital PBX or, multi-line phone system, directly to your computer's fax modem. See TeleAdapt's Connectivity Tips for more detailed info on this solution and other connectivity tips.

Averting Disaster

Maybe you'll be lucky and you'll have no equipment disasters on the road. But most people I know have had at least minor problems due to human or computer error. For example, I accidentally deleted several application programs while I was in India, and had to drive to Bangalore to buy new ones. Cathy's hard drive crashed in the middle of a lengthy journey in Europe, and she lost all of her data and momentum while researching a project until her return to the USA many weeks later. So take heed:

1. Get used to your equipment before you leave. Use your hardware and your software together and make sure everything works perfectly.

2. Copy key pages of instruction manuals to take along, like troubleshooting pages, especially if the equipment is new to you.

3. Put copies of all installation CD-ROMs for your operating system and programs in a hard-sided case to bring along with you in case you need to re-install them.

4. Back up your entire system and leave one copy home, take another copy with you - whether it's on CDs or a pocket hard drive. (I'd leave the CDs at home, and bring the hard drive with you -- consider the iPod as a backup hard drive. It's compatible with both Apple and Windows machines.)

5. Buy adapters, transformers, chargers, etc. TeleAdapt has a huge selection, a great reputation, and even has a help hotline.

6. Collect phone numbers for technical support for all your equipment and software.

7. Buy theft-prevention hardware listed above in hardware.

8. Print out your contacts, phone numbers, email address.

9. Email important documents, emails, contacts to a trusted friend who will file them away, just in case.