Have Laptop Will Travel

Making a List and Checking It Twice: Last-Minute Spring Break Checklist

Originally posted on March 25, 2013 @ 4:38 pm

Day 96: Packing

Spring break exploits have pretty much become a rite of passage among college students. Many students now look forward to this mid-semester break as a way to free themselves from the shackles of schoolwork and binge on fun in an exciting destination. This often leads to students traveling to warm coastal regions both in the United States and in other countries.

While spring break trips are all good and fun, they do require a little planning to make sure they go as smoothly as possible. On the home front there are a number of considerations you’ll want to keep in mind as you prepare for a problem-free adventure. Here are five key tasks to add to your last-minute spring break checklist. [Read more…]

How to Watch Cable TV While Traveling

Originally posted on January 29, 2013 @ 1:01 am

Traveling to other countries is a great and enriching experience but too often, many of us feel the need to connect back home when in a new place especially during nighttime. No matter how exciting we feel about exploring another city or the countryside, there seems to be a longing to do something we’re used to. Watching our favorite cable TV shows is one of them.

watchtv via laptop

The question now is, “Is it possible to watch your cable TV back home while traveling?” The answer is a definite yes.

There are various ways to allow you to connect to your favorite television shows in the U.S. while in another place. You can choose to use a specific device or simply log on to the internet.
[Read more…]

Is standing the new sitting?

Originally posted on September 8, 2011 @ 8:59 am

Computing mobility has opened the world up for increased productivity, allowing us to continue work wherever we are. But with every benefit there is also usually a cost, and unfortunately, it’s our health that has gotten the bad end of the deal. With more people stuck behind their computers even when working remotely our general health suffers because of our prolonged sitting to use a computer. [Read more…]

Laptop Encryption

Originally posted on July 6, 2012 @ 9:05 am

Employees who bring their laptops in traveling are usually required by their employers to have them encrypted.  Content encryption is just one of the safety measures adopted to protect information in case laptops are lost or stolen.   It is a fairly common practice since many employees are now required to work from different locations to maintain continuity in their work responsibilities. 

There are basically two (2) types of encryption.  One is used for files or email sent over the Internet while the other is used to jumble hard drive data.  The only way the message or contents can be deciphered is through the entry of a designated password.  No negative impact on the computer’s function is expected to result from encryption.

There are several encryption software available in the market.  The desired features when choosing one includes having good algorithm, is effortless to use, and should not affect the computer’s performance.  Most importantly however, it should be secure.  Users should also be looking into license of the software particularly those who have operations in other countries. 

Many governments view the issue of bringing an encrypted laptop for international travel very seriously.  This is for the reason that encryption products can be used for illegal purposes such as terrorist activities.  Bringing an encrypted laptop without proper government authorization could result to having it confiscated. 

The Wassenaar Arrangement which has been agreed upon by several countries recognizes the personal use exemption.  This simply means that carriers of encrypted devices agree not to distribute the encryption technology while in a foreign country.  People who wish to travel to countries that do not recognize this exemption will have to obtain an import license from government agencies.

Telling Stories of Other People

Originally posted on March 27, 2012 @ 5:11 am

Maintaining a travel blog can take its toll when you have nothing left to say about your trips, your adventures, and your experiences.  If you feel that you’ve ran out of stories to tell especially after a considerable length of time in actually not travelling, you should consider the option of telling stories of other people.  I am not referring to copying posts of others which is unthinkable for any writer worth his/her cent but in discovering worthy stories through simple interaction with people around you. 

Everyone has an immediate circle of family and friends who are potential sources of good stories.  By interviewing them or through casual talk, a writer can hear experiences about places he/she himself has not gone to.  It is essentially telling the story of a place or destination in the eyes of another. 

Telling a story from another’s point of view can be a refreshing break from the monotony of your own views.  It is a fact that people sometimes have preconceived notions of people, places, and things that can affect their opinion.  Having the opportunity to hear of what others think offers us a chance to reconsider what we have always thought to be infallible truths. 

It goes without saying that your source should be informed beforehand of your intention to use the information on your blog, as a matter of courtesy.  Even if the proposed content is essentially harmless by its very nature of being about travel experiences, you will still be using information which is not your own.  Provide photographs must have express consent from owner. 

A blog is a wonderful way of providing information to readers.  Making posts need not stop when travel writers go home.  Maybe it’s about time to talk about places nearer home.