Have Laptop Will Travel

7 Great Things to Do in Chicago Over Spring Break

Originally posted on March 31, 2013 @ 1:31 pm

If the beach isn’t your idea of an exciting destination for spring break, try a big city instead. Chicago is one of the most active cities in the United States, and it has plenty of things to do for people under 21. It also has plenty of options for young people who are over drinking age, so there’s no need to fear being bored. Here are a few suggestions for what to do in Chicago on your spring break.

  1. Visit a museum. A museum on spring break?! Yes. Talking about culture is a great way to find someone who shares your interests. Knowing a bit about some obscure artist shows that the speaker knows about the finer things. It’s also much more creative than asking for someone’s sign.
  2. Seek out clubs. In a big city like Chicago, there are plenty to be found. Many of them cater to those 18 and over, so those who haven’t reached drinking age aren’t barred from enjoying the club atmosphere. Of course, people over 21 can enjoy drinks as well.
  3. Find a live rock performance. Many rock venues admit people under 21. The bonus is that you might find a great band. R.E.M. and some other groups who became hugely famous started out in little Chicago clubs. Of course, not all Chicago club bands are awesome, but finding out which ones fit the bill is part of the fun.
  4. Go to a playhouse. Seeing a play is a great thing to do with a date. It’ll give you a chance to sit together and relieve you of the need to come up with an incessant stream of conversation. Choose a romantic story for a date, or a more action-oriented one if you’re with a group of friends.
  5. Visit the zoo. Going to the zoo is a good activity for a group or a couple who want more physical activity than a play or movie can provide. It combines an enjoyable walk with interesting sights.
  6. Shop. Chicago has stores of all types and kinds, and items that will fit all budgets. Any purchases also serve as great souvenirs of the trip. Try the Magnificent Mile for some of the city’s most impressive stores. The sights and sounds of the area are memorable enough to make the experience great even for those who don’t buy anything.

With these suggestions, spring break travelers will find plenty of things to do in Chicago. Of course, finding a place to stay should be the first thing on the to-do list. Book in advance for spring break to ensure that a room will be ready when it’s time to arrive. One other thing to keep in mind about Chicago is transportation. Like most big cities, driving is a hassle. Plan to make extensive use of the subway and bus systems for easy traveling in and around the downtown area. This will make the trip easy and fun.

 

E-learning with Laptops

Originally posted on January 31, 2013 @ 7:40 am

Image: us.gmocloud

E-learning is a method of learning that makes use of educational electronic technology.  The environment in this kind of learning is that which occurs outside traditional classrooms with the aid of technology.  One of the indispensable elements of e-learning specifically for those who are always on the move is a laptop.

Traditional classroom learning is a lot different from e-learning although the former is starting to make more use of electronic technology associated with the latter.  E-learning however differentiates itself in the learning environment which is not limited to the four walls of a concrete classroom.  Due to the unique learning style of people on the go, it is necessary to have equipment and gadgets that will facilitate the actual study.  Laptops have made learning possible for many who have been previously limited from pursuing education through the traditional way.

Portability and mobility are the chief reasons why laptops have proved to be indispensable for e-learning.  Without it, non-traditional students will find it difficult to comply with  time requirements of traditional schools.  Looking at it from the present angle, it almost seem impossible for non-traditional learners to finish a desired degree with the demands of family and work.

Laptops have evolved to become one of the must haves of every family in the aspect of learning.  Many schools now have available computers for use by their students but students need to continue the learning process outside the classroom walls.  Laptops are the most convenient option especially if students have to find time to study in between home and family responsibilities.

About the Author:

Teresa and her family makes use of the laptop for learning.

Survival of the fittest: Tips for Business Travelers Visiting Chicago in the Winter

Originally posted on December 14, 2012 @ 2:03 pm

Chicago in the summer is the cultural & business hub of the midwest, in the winter it is a sometimes forbidding place of windy nights, sub-zero temperature, and icy beauty. Today let's talk about a few tips for business travelers visiting Chicago in the winter.

Chicago in the summer is the cultural & business hub of the midwest, in the winter it is a sometimes forbidding place of windy nights, sub-zero temperature, and icy beauty. Today let’s talk about a few tips for business travelers visiting Chicago in the winter.

Chicago is a frequent location for the business traveler.  It is lovely in the springtime, summer, and fall but winter nights in Chicago–the windy city–are often forbidding.  Here are some tips for the frequent winter visitor to Chicago.

Surivival of the Fittest

Chicago operates the second-largest public transportation system in the nation. On an average weekday, the Chicago Transit Authority carries 1.6 million passengers to their destinations, either on its buses or rail cars, which serve 125 stations. The CTA isn’t just a convenient option for downtown jaunts. It also offers service to both of Chicago’s major airports and the CTA’s Metra Rail provides transportation to distant Chicago suburbs within a 70-mile radius.

All of those routes can seem overwhelming to an outsider, but getting around Chicago is easy, convenient and affordable. And because Chicago is no stranger to winter weather, you can count on public transportation to be there for you, even in conditions that would cripple cars.

The power of trains

Chicago is infamous for its wickedly brutal winters. Arctic winds sweep over Lake Michigan and come howling down city streets, freezing all exposed flesh and most improperly layered tissue as well. Chicagoans routinely relate stories of meeting “new friends” on the street or in foyers, only to discover that these heavily-wrapped winter denizens are friends, unrecognizable under multiple layers.

In January 2012, as snow caused flight cancellations and traffic jams, Chicago’s Metra train was still humming along, carrying passengers to the suburbs – a testament to the reliability of the CTA, even in the harshest conditions.

Parking: Expensive in many ways

Some city residents choose to own and drive a car throughout the winter. While seemingly convenient, the option is actually an agreement to be gently and slowly tortured for the duration of the winter months. In addition to ridiculously expensive parking fees downtown and street parking a rarity, Chicago residents experience an annual Winter Overnight Parking Ban – an absolute prohibition that takes place between 3 and 7 a.m. – from Dec. 1 to the following April 1, or when snowfall exceeds two inches. Cars parked on main streets during this time are promptly towed, and owners are charged a minimum of $210 to reclaim their automobiles. So if you’re thinking about renting a car for your winter stay in Chicago, think again.

Affordable, reliable

The CTA is a remarkably inexpensive system, particularly when one purchases monthly unlimited passes. The excellent coverage of Chicago’s mass transit system rarely requires more than one change of bus or train and often delivers passengers within a block of their destinations. Plus, one of the best parts of taking public transportation is that when you’re not driving, you’ve got time to catch up on a good book or read your email. Who doesn’t appreciate a little more time to get things done?

CTA, demystified

Chicago attracts many tourists in the winter, for its world-class shopping, outstanding theater and many attractions – like ice skating in Millennial Park. And because of the numerous CTA stops, you can get anywhere you want to go. Don’t be intimidated by the many maps and routes – you can download a handy app for your smartphone and plan your route with ease. After hopping on a bus or The ‘L’ and arriving at your destination, you’ll feel like a true Chicagoan!

Best Laptops for Businessmen on the Go

Originally posted on March 22, 2014 @ 10:17 am

While tablets are the best friends of youngsters today, the laptop is still the most reliable for business people constantly on the move. The device, being the portable version of the desktop computer, is capable of performing both light and heavy tasks even when a business professional is traveling to other places.

But with the numerous brands and models of laptops on the market these days, it can be a real challenge to choose the best one that fits your lifestyle and budget. Experts recommend a laptop with 13-inch or 14-inch display and one that weighs less than five pounds. This type of device is easy to bring along wherever you may be heading to and still powerful to accomplish your business tasks while in a remote location. [Read more…]

Why You Need Hotel Travel Apps

Originally posted on July 29, 2013 @ 5:15 am

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I love to travel. I find new places and new cultures exciting. But I don’t have an unlimited budget, and in order to feed my desire for adventure, I have to make my wallet stretch as much as possible. One of the ways I do this is by using travel apps, especially those that help me find a good hotel at a decent price. [Read more…]