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[tamiam]

If I knew how to make a poll, I'd ask -

How many of you have had a computer mysteriously die on research trips? (OK, not so mysteriously. I was thinking I needed a jog bra for the ride that killed my laptop. Perhaps it did too...)

And as a corrolary, are PDAs any more hardy? This last is a shameless attempt to get you to help me explain to my husband why I "need" a $300-500 toy just so that I don't lose my Outlook stuff. I hear you can write stuff on them too.... And I swear I won't lose this one.

Thanks forumites.

[thundering_m]

Hi, Tamiam. To post a poll, you must choose that option when you start the new thread. It is the last tab on the right when you are faced with the list of boards (i.e., The Academic Traveler) in that forum (i.e., Cafe). Then you will be prompted to post your question and some message with it.

but in the meantime, I will answer: yes. Let me count the ways...

Most recently, the Word program needed to be re-somethinged for which I had to be online but was in Canada and didn't have the right program to dial up in the hotel and yada yada yada.

Have also forgotten the plug in to recharge so the battery went dead.

Have downloaded a stats program that exhausted the little bugger so it went belly up.

Have made painstaking arrangements for an LCD screen only to find a low tech overhead projector; or no possible way to connect my computer nor any way to transfer the PowerPoint.

But the goofiest thing has been realizing that it is more hassle than it is worth to carry the darn thing if I'm staying in a nice place, even if it means paying for use of it. Have jumpdrive, will travel.
 

[monkfish]

I've never had a computer die on me like that (knock on wood) and I have been to some pretty 'eclectic' locales with my computer. I think the key is getting quality hardware and avoid funky software. I can't tell you have many batteries I have fried though.

In terms of your question re: PDAs (I assume you are not talking the 2000+ ruggedized ones here). It depends. Yes. No. As a rule of thumb, anything that can kill a laptop might kill a PDA too (e.g., immersion in coke, drop from 10th story of a building, excessive heat, pressure, etc.). The screens on PDA are often very sensitive and permanently exposed unless you buy a case. That being said, my palm pilot has been doused in diet soda, thrown across a concrete floor, and generally abused, and it is still working (and looking!) like new. Of course the technology is now outdated, but that's life.

A decent PDA can be a lot less than 3-500 (more like 200) and is a good thing if you need it for organization or things like reading word documents on the like (I know a political scientist--in IR--who will use his as a reference shelf. He has put just about every relevant treaty and convention on it as a reference). It is a bit overkill if all you really want is to backup your Outlook data!

[dale1]

These PDA-like devices are the way of the future.  They will continue to get better and more tough while integrating features like phone and wireless/wired internet access (most already have the latter).

How about a tablet PC, as a nice alternative?

[bibliothecula]

I have an HP Jornada PDA and have used it a _lot_ to take notes at meetings and conferences, jot down resources and ideas on the fly and so on. It converts my handwriting to Word pretty well and then I can transfer everything to my main computer easily. All of that said, however, I don't use it to run very big programs (MS Office, mostly). My spouse recently got a tablet notebook and it is to die for. You can paste graphics and all sorts of stuff right into your notes and organize by tabs and all sorts of cool things. His is pretty tough--it goes from the house to his lab to gaming (where spilled soda is the norm) and hasn't suffered yet. They are very tempting indeed.

[monkfish]

Those tablet PCs are nice!!  Especially the lightweight ones, which could replace a PDA and a computer, especially if you are always carrying around a messenger bag or brief case anyway. Only problem is that they are expensive. And I have always wondered about durablility....but it sounds like bibliothecula's spouse is putting it through an endurance course so maybe i need to look into one when my thinkpad sputters to the great beyond.

[ritar]

How many of you have had a computer mysteriously die on research trips? (OK, not so mysteriously. I was thinking I needed a jog bra for the ride that killed my laptop. Perhaps it did too...)

And as a corollary, are PDAs any more hardy? This last is a shameless attempt to get you to help me explain to my husband why I "need" a $300-500 toy just so that I don't lose my Outlook stuff. I hear you can write stuff on them too.... And I swear I won't lose this one.

Yep, I've had laptops die. It's usually not so mysterious--they tend to give hints before they peter out, but the timing is always a surprise.

I'd say PDAs are not more hardy, mainly because they are susceptible to the same sorts of dangers as laptops. Sometimes more--because they are smaller, people tend to stick them in a purse or briefcase, sans proper padding/case.

However, there's a much cheaper solution, if you're just looking to protect your information in Outlook. Why not buy a jump drive, and periodically back up your PST file? (Search help in outlook for instructions.) This will save all of your email, contacts, and calendar appointments.

Good luck!

[zharkov]

However, there's a much cheaper solution, if you're just looking to protect your information in Outlook. Why not buy a jump drive, and periodically back up your PST file? (Search help in outlook for instructions.) This will save all of your email, contacts, and calendar appointments.

Good luck!

And email yourself important files, which get backed up in that pst folder.

[bibliothecula]

Ritar has a good point. If you have a computer where you're going when you travel, a jump drive is ideal. I have a 4 gig one that I use to move stuff from office to home office, including music, graphics-heavy slides and so on. Backing up Outlook onto it is a great idea--I may try that and see how I like it.

[tamiam]

Well, forumites, I bought an ipaq and it is so cool!

The night I got it I was able to access the internet at my local pizza joint. (OK, well, I was able to see one corner of yahoo.com's home page - but still!) I got a gigabite of extra storage for it, downloaded a couple of books from my local library, and if I have time I'm going to put some music on it too. Oh yeah, and if I remember I'll also get some of the research documents I'm supposed to be reading onto it.

So we'll see. I'm heading out for another month on Tuesday. Hopefully I'll have room in my suitcase for clothes...it's already about 3/4 full of non-clothing items. I don't understand it. It's like traveling with a baby! current converters, hair dryer, meds of all kinds, iron,  snorkeling gear, blah, blah, blah. I'm not opposed to the idea of traveling light; but to try to look professional and be comfortable and have fun all on the same trip! It's crazy.

But at least my technology isn't bulky.

[thundering_m]

New toys! Fun!

[lucilla]

Tamiam, I have used my Dell pda on lots of trips (and also in other weird contexts, like during chemotherapy!) to both read and write by purchasing a fold-out, very lightweight keyboard. It's only slightly smaller than a laptop keyboard and really useful. I downloaded a pdf of a book manuscript I was working on and was even able to do part of the indexing during those parts of chemo in which I wasn't falling asleep.  (did end up with a few weird entries in one draft, however:)

and so much easier on the back and shoulder muscles!!!

[mtnlover]

I THOUGHT one died on me during a meeting in Tampa Bay.  Turned out the battery was so dead it wouldn't start even on line power with the battery in.  Once I removed the battery it was fine.  It was not a pleasent morning (also Valentine's day in a crappy hotel with a colleague who had gas).

[tamiam]

Oh, delevine, that's awful.

But you give me hope. Maybe that's what's wrong with mine.

Meantime, I just tried to look up all those academic novels from the other thread to download onto my new toy, and - surprise - they're not available in the public library books on tape downloads.

[twofish]

I have a Palm TX which cost $300 with wifi and bluetooth, and let's me to a quick e-mail check.  The bluetooth connects to my cell phone which gives me internet anywhere at dialup speeds for about $20.00/month.

A portable keyboard cost me another $50, and it's useful for checking up my servers and seeing how my computer code is running.  I can also do some C++ coding if I have an hour of down time.