Journal entry device

[spandoman]

I'm planning a couple of tours this year and would like to place my journals on the internet during my tour (crazyguyonabike.com??).  As a laptop computer would be too heavy to be practical, I'd like to know what others use to log their entries for later uploading.  Do P.D.A.s such as the Palm Tungsten E work well or is there something out there that is more practical (and cheaper)?  I would also like a more standard sized keyboard if possible.

[scott.laughlin]

Have you considered using local libraries?

[spandoman]

I plan to, but I would like be able to write my journals in campgrounds in the evening and then upload it later when I have internet access at a library or internet cafe.  I'm thinking about a Palm Tungsten E or something similar.

[sam21fire]

Here's an idea that I haven't tried yet, but it sounds like it should work...

Use the Palm Tungsten and save your log as an MS Word doc, saved onto an SD card placed in the Palm.  When you get to a library, carry a card reader w/ a USB cord, use this to access your SD card, then just load the document to email or your web site.  

There are obvious hurdles to this idea, including library staff freaking out if they see you connecting peripherals to their computer, but might be worth the effort.

You may also be able to upload the document thru the Palm if you subscribe to a wireless service found at coffee shops.  Not sure how long it would take though.

This is something I've thought of also so I'm interested in hearing how well they work (my next ride isn't until Jul 07).  

Good luck!
Sam

[sam21fire]

Oh, almost forgot... you can get cool fold-out keyboards that will connect to the Palm and they cost $100 US or less.

[spandoman]

Thanks.  I may give that a try.  I won't be doing any touring until May 2007, but I'm a slow learner, so I want to have a little time to play with some ideas.

Harold

[tofubicycle]

You could always pen your jounral on paper at night and read the entries to type at libraries when convenient. You'd have one less electronic device to charge and one less fancy thing being exposed to various conditions.

--
......... __ o
.........-\<,
......(O) (O)...........
...........................
i'd rather be biking.

[spandoman]

I thought of that, but I don't want to spend time in libraries typing up everything and duplicating stuff.  

[ptaylor]

I agree with tofubicycle. That's what I do.

But last summer I toured with a guy who had a small device that only composed e-mail. He could type his journal, and then when he got to a phone, he would stick the mouthpiece of the phone into his device, hit a button, and it would update his CrazyGuyOnABike with an 800 number.

This guy, my good friend JCal, is not a member of this forum. I have asked him to join so he can give you some specifics.

Paul

[spandoman]

Paul:
     That sounds like it might work.  Have JCal post the particulars if he joins up.

Harold

[jcal]

I used a device called Pocketmail to maintain a journal with Crazy Guy On A Bike last summer.  You can research the product on line at Pocketmail.com.  It has a normal layout for keyboard (although significantly smaller), but beats the Blackberry/Palms/etc. by miles.  Two finger typing is possible and connects to a server via telephone (payphone) on an 800 number.  Type in your update, get to a phone, dial the number and it transmits.  You can also send and receive regular email at the same time.

[ptaylor]

Here's a photo of JCal using his Pocketmail.


Paul

[spandoman]

Paul:
     I like everything about the Pocketmail device from what I've seen on their website, but the monthly fee seems a bit steep.  Twelve months would be $179.00.  I suppose you could sign up on a month-by-month basis, but even that's a bit pricey.  So far I haven't really found anything that's any cheaper, so that may be the only way to go, but I'm still looking for something without monthly fees.

Harold

[Dan_E_Boye]

Just for the sake of general information, I found that in some libraries if you tell the librarian you are doing a travel journal they will let you use a computer in the back somewhere.  They don't worry about time limits and they don't look over your shoulder.  I was able to upload a lot of photos from a CD that way.

I kept a written notebook and when it was time to do the journal entries I found that the written notes served as a refresher rather than a verbatim journal entry.

One good thing about the library method is that libraries are nice and cool, and the librarians know the local town so they are a good source of info.