NuNomad

Re-Entering the USA. Should you be Scared?

by Ricardo

I’m about to return to the States after nearly a year nu nomading in Asia.
I bounce back to my home country for a month or two every year in the summer and it’s a nerve wracking endeavor each time. Never mind the 17 hours of flight time it takes to go from Southeast Asia (where I am now) to Los Angeles, or having to rent a car, acquire insurance and pay for gas. My greatest trepidation is clearing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). No, I’m not a smuggler or terrorist. I’m just another mild-mannered traveler.

What has my chonies in a twist is having just read an article in the June 2008 issue of Laptop Magazine “Digital Search and Seizure.” What this article states, supported by countless news articles, web pages and blogs on this timely subject, is that the CBP (which is part of Homeland
Security) has the right to search not only your person and luggage, but your electronic devices at will—without cause or explanation. They have the authority to copy all of your data and passwords from your mobile phone and MP3 player to notebook computer. And if they desire to, they may confiscate your devices for further inspection. Already there are many people whose notebooks have remained in custody for a year or indefinitely. Yikes!

In case you are wondering about any Fourth Amendment protection, forget it. That’s only for those who clear Customs—and even then the Patriot Act has all sorts of ways of circumventing your rights to privacy once you’re happily on your way to Iowa for a symposium on bible studies.
Until then, you’re in no-mans-land and should the border authorities feel fit to bundle you off to Guantanamo Bay while they dissect your data under the Patriot Act, there is not much you’ll be able to do about it.

Is it likely to happen? No. Only about 1% (according to an informal survey by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives) had their data copied or seized. Statistically, you’re safe.

So what is the CBP looking for? Good question. Having gone through the CBP website (www.CBP.gov) what the agents appear to be looking for are subversive documents and the usual contraband: drugs, child pornography, plants and animals. But according to other credible sources, they’re also seeking out your unlicensed media. You know, like that shared file you have of Abba’s Greatest Hits within your "My Favorite Karaoke" folder.

As stated above, I’m not a smuggler, a terrorist nor even a person of any religious affiliation. I’m like 99% of the travelers who MAY have a shared media file somewhere in my computer that may not have a purchase receipt. According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (www.eff.org) more and more people are being singled out for prosecution for unauthorized file sharing. This could be something as benign as having a shared audio file in your iPod or an unauthorized copy of an Adobe product in your laptop.

What to do? Be aware is the first thing. Clear out anything that might be construed as subversive or even unauthorized. (I know I’m deleting this article from my computer after I post it.) Renaming files is usually a good practice. Got a file labeled “My Secret Nude Pictures of Osama Bin Laden”, you might want to change it to “My Favorite American flags.” UpgradeTravelBetter.com
has a blog on this topic which you might find helpful. Clear out the pirated stuff. Also, be sure to back up your computer and forward a copy by mail to your home address.
For more information on electronic privacy issues, check out www.EFF.org, www.ACLU.org and check out CNN’s article No Privacy for Laptops.

The Work-Travel Balancing Act

by Ricardo
I was watching an episode of “Family Guy” recently, the one where baby Stewie ridicules people who strive to be seen in public (eg: Starbucks) with their notebooks open—perhaps tapping-out that promising screenplay. Though the tot doesn’t blow the heads off of the coffee-gulping remote workers (the cartoon character tends to get extreme at times), the scene does illustrate the point of remote working becoming a sort of cliché these days.

What I’ve found in the nearly seven years of nomading the world is the increased misperception of those who choose to integrate their work and home life with their lust for travel—versus those who simply like to demonstrate to others that they can finish up their projects down the street from the office (such as the ubiquitous coffee shop that supports wi-fi). And that misperception is understandable. These days, it is no longer unusual to find overseas backpackers huddled in laptop sessions at the cheap eateries or guest houses. Where they once sat around watching pirated video tapes of Bay Watch on the establishment’s television, they’re now watching pirated movies on their personal LCD screens while updating their blogs. The trading of paperback books has been replaced by the trading of DVDs, MP3 files and MySpace URLs.
Is that a bad thing? Probably not. Sad and pathetic? Hmm.

Aside from the reality that real nomads tend to do their work in more productive, if not appropriate, working environments (eg: rooms with great views), one must also find their balance. One of the harder disciplines of living this sort of work-travel life (I’m going to list two of mine now) is finding one’s center. Pardon me if I sound like Zen Master Ricardo, but if you’re traveling the world and finding yourself behind the screen (be it notebook, BlackBerry, iPod, mobile phone or other handheld device) as much or more as when you were stuck in your home country, then maybe you’re missing out on the whole nu nomad travel thing. Travel is about “getting out there,” not becoming a mobile version of the bored, introvert you were at home. At least that’s how I see it.

So what’s the advice? It’s sort of simple: set boundaries. Okay, you don’t need to be anal about it, but do try to look to the horizon for your next travel destination—as opposed to, let’s say, over the lid of your screen to the cute person at the next table. When out in public, leave the hardware in your (secured) room. If you’re in nature (hell, the town center even), pull those ear buds out buddy and listen to the sounds around you. Simply steer your life from gadget man (woman) to care-free traveler.

This brings me to the other discipline: refraining from buying too many gadgets. Not only does having redundant and superfluous equipment distract, but it weighs you down maak-maak (that’s Thai for much-much). The selection process of what you really need to be mobile, yet get your work done properly, is a judicious process. And as one of the bigger offenders of this rule, with my two laptops (one is an overblown desktop replacement and the other is an ultra-ultraportable machine for weekend excursions) I am now moving to trim down. So I ask myself: “Ricardo, do I need to have an MP3 player when I have a laptop for my music and movies? Do I need a Palm Pilot when I already have easy Internet access and a small GSM mobile phone? Do I need a travel printer when I rarely print to paper any more and when there are printing services at the cyber cafes. The truth is that I can do my work with one good machine (I’m looking into the new Lenovo ThinkPad X300.
—which is similar in design and weight to that of the MacBook Air). As for my MP3 player, my bulking Creative Zen unit is going to be replaced by an iPod Nano. And since my full-feature camera is already very compact (Canon PowerShot A710), I can concentrate on buying a new guide book (for either Laos or Hungary). And the money I’ll save from not buying all “cool tech stuff” I can spend foolishly while on my journey abroad.

So, now that mobile technology for the real road warriors is trimming down we too can take advantage of less weight and increased (physical) mobility. And if you need a little more advice on what may be necessary for your nomadic travels and not, Quit Dreaming and Go! (our handbook on how to nomad) has a comprehensive section for you to pack with.

More and More People are Working Remotely

By Carmen Bolanos
November 5, 2007

While we often describe remote working as packing up and heading across the globe, let's not forget that a lot of folks are freeing themselves from the traditional workspace just to the nearest coffee shop or bookstore to get online. This may not have the same romance as the former scenario but it's a first step in what we at NuNomad believe is a quickly growing trend that will see increased numbers take the bigger leap into the world soon.

iPass Wifi Hotspot Index has recently released a report that supports our assumption. By using tracking data from over 80,000 hotspots in over 85 countries they have compiled a study showing the patterns of internet usage across countries, cities and venues. The current report compares the last six months of '06 with the first six months of '07.

Some of the most dramatic increases include a 239% rise in internet usage both in Europe and other world countries (not included in main country categories). The smallest increase in growth was in Asia/Pacific but even that growth was a whopping 86%.

In terms of venue, airports lead the pack for number of wifi sessions but hotels saw the largest increase of 255%. As might be expected, the top three retail locations for internet use are cafes, restaurants and bookstores. However, interestingly, the largest increase in usage was seen in train stations (good news for us nomads) at 139%.

Top 3 countries for internet use? The United States, the United Kingdom and Germany have a large lead over the remaining listed countries. The remaining of the top ten are all in Europe with the exception of Japan and Australia. Australia boasts the largest growth at a colossal 789%!

As for cities, London is way in the lead with nearly 4 times the number of internet sessions as the next cities, New York and Tokyo. London also experienced the largest growth in the last year for number of sessions.

So - what does it all mean? Basically, more people are getting online out in public. While we don't know how much of the internet usage was business vs. personal, we can probably deduce that both business and personal use in public places is increasing rapidly. This trend will invariably result in a greater number of venues offering wifi and greater ease of accessing internet for all of us who rely on this type of accessibility!

Connecting to the Internet When There's No Cafe in Sight - GPRS

by Carmen Bolanos
October 15, 2007

This is the first in a series of blogs on alternative ways to connect to the internet. This blog covers GPRS is and how it works. Please visit back for the continuing series.

As nu nomads, we are often looking for ways to connect to the internet to communicate with clients, collaborate with colleagues, or simply to get information. Usually this is as simple as finding a dwelling with internet capability or walking down to the local internet café. But for those of us who like the more remote parts of the globe or the quaint life of a smaller town, connecting to the internet can be a real challenge. However, there is still hope for the determined individual. It takes a basic knowledge of the options and some pre-planning on the home-front to be sure you have the right equipment.

The fundamental need is getting a signal that will transfer data. Many mobile phones have internet capability and options such as Blackberries include a keyboard for sending those short emails.
But if you have more extensive internet use requirements the micro-mini screens and keyboards become unbearable over time. You need to use your laptop. Hence, getting a signal to transfer data — for the laptop. You do this with a mobile phone and GPRS.

Living Life in 3G (or 2G or 4G)

Mobile phone/internet technology is evolving so rapidly that it would be nearly impossible to produce a piece that was completely up-to-date. The evolution of this technology is actually quite a bit ahead of what is readily available to the common user. So, while I write to you about GPRS, this is a technology that is already somewhat outdated even though it is still new enough not to have been adopted by many countries.

Mobile phones are categorized by generations. Older mobile phones that were made primarily for voice and sometimes photo transfer were considered to be “2nd Generation (2G)”. GPRS was a technology that evolved to allow 2G users to access the internet and also to increase interest among users in gaining more use of this option for the future. However, third generation mobile phones have now evolved, allowing for internet access at much higher speeds than their predecessors. In fact, 4G phones are already in existence. So is GPRS obsolete? No – not yet. At the moment, because of expense and licensing issues, many countries have not built 3G networks and for many that have begun to build, the coverage is still quite limited. Therefore, the international traveler should not expect to be able to access 3G features (internet) while away making GPRS a continued necessity.

What is GPRS ?

GPRS stands for General Packet Radio Service. GPRS service is billed on a “per kilobyte of data transferred” scale rather than per-second. This makes GPRS an affordable way to use the internet via your mobile phone. To access GPRS you will need a GPRS capable mobile phone and a GPRS enabled SIM card for the country in which you are traveling. (SIM cards are inserted into GSM phones to allow access to networks within various countries. These can be purchased in convenience stores, gas stations, etc. at your destination or before your departure at Telestial)

In a nutshell, when you use your mobile phone to speak, every minute that you are chatting is a minute that you are requiring space on your provider’s network system. Therefore, mobile phone charges are based on a per-second scale. However with “packet switching” that is used in GPRS, the network is only used for the few seconds that data is being transferred and in the meantime while you are working on your document or reading the web page that was just transferred to you, you are not using the network space.

What Kind of GPRS Phone?

If you read our article on Cell Phone Basics for Travelers, you will already know the importance of getting a GSM phone. This is no different when wanting GPRS capability. GSM systems are the only systems where GPRS is currently in use.

There are 3 classes of capability you may find when searching GSM/GPRS phones:

Class C phones cannot transfer voice (GSM) and data (GPRS) at the same time. With a class C device the user must use only one service at a time and switch the phone manually to change over.

Class B phones connect to both GSM and GPRS simultaneously but only one service at a time can be used. The phone automatically resets after the call or connection is finished and there is no need for the user to switch the phone manually.

Class A phones can use both GSM and GPRS simultaneously allowing the user to speak and transfer data all at the same time.

Most phones on the market right now are Class B phones.

And Now for Service

In addition to having a GPRS capable phone you will need to find a phone service provider or country SIM card that supports GPRS service. Read carefully when choosing your service or SIM card about whether GPRS is supported and what rates are charged. Here are some sample results I found through Telestial:

Spain Vodafone SIM Card – 2 Euros per megabyte ($2.80 US)
Thailand Happy SIM Card - .10 Bhat per kilobyte ($.003 US)
Jordan Cardcom SIM Card – GPRS not available
Canada Rogers SIM Card – GPRS not available but email is retrievable
France Orange SIM Card – GPRS not available

Don’t assume that GPRS will always be readily available anywhere you go. You may expect most extensive GPRS coverage in Asia and the U.S. but you may not find it in every European country. Do your homework before you leave home!

Making it Work

So you have your GPRS enabled phone and a GPRS enabled SIM card. The next step will be to learn how to use the service. There are 3 methods for connecting your mobile phone to your laptop.

1) Data-cable – yes, the good old fashioned wire method. This is reliable and not too inconvenient when traveling.

2) Infrared – requires the alignment of the IR port on the laptop with the IR port on the phone. However, if you are on a jostling train or in a limited space this might be difficult. For instance, some laptops have their IR port in front of the keyboard making typing impractical. You also need a phone that includes IR connecting.

3) Bluetooth – this can be an ideal option as it allows connection just through proximity but will require configuration of a Bluetooth enabled phone and laptop with Bluetooth or Bluetooth card. In addition, this option may slow your connection and run your phone battery down fast.

Once the phone and laptop are communicating, you will need to access the GPRS network. Accessing GPRS networks usually involves dialing in access codes and passwords. These codes and passwords will vary depending on your service provider and country in which you are traveling. Instructions for accessing the network should be provided by this service.

And, voila! You’re in business, nomad.

Sources:
http://www.telecomspace
http://pcworld.about.com/news/Sep292005id122411.htm
http://www.esato.com/archive/t.php/t-122341,1.html
http://www.fodors.com/wire/archives/002757.cfm
http://www.gprshelp.co.uk/html/GPRSArchitecture.html
http://en.wikipedia.org

Special thanks to Jeff Van West of Van West Company for his input on this article

MojoPac: A Laptop Hobo’s Best Traveling Companion

How many times have you wished that your computer was with you while out-and-about? You know, like when you’re checking emails at an Internet Café in some end-of-earth location and one of your customers has just emailed you an urgent request—a situation that requires you to use all the tools within your home computer. But, unfortunately, you’re nowhere near home. Now imagine that you have your entire home computer environment within your pocket hard drive, MP3 player or even flash stick.

I’ve been waiting for such a travel tool for quite some time now. A program which converts any PC operating on XP or Vista into a fully-functioning, near-mirror image, version of the password-protected computer I work on everyday—complete with programs, settings and document files. Thankfully I’ve found such a tool, Mojopac , and the test results are impressive.

How it Works:

Simply plug in your USB device (in which you’ve pre-loaded MojoPac, along with all the stuff you’d load onto your home computer—save for the actual operating system) into the host computer and their screen becomes your familiar desktop. Toggle back and forth between the host environment and your MojoPac view. Their Internet connection is yours, and there’s no need to add anything to the host computer.

After spending a week testing MojoPac out in various working situations: multi-tasking between half a dozen programs (Macromedia Studio, MS Office, and far lesser known applications), and going from one computer to another, I can say that the MojoPac can serve as your primary working environment, where you treat PCs as simple (to quote the makers) “dumb terminals”.

Road Tested:

I was on day 5 yesterday of testing my MojoPac when I realized that I had to renew my tourist visa (make a visa run), requiring me to drop everything to take a mini-bus to the Malaysian boarder. (I’m currently based in Southern Thailand.) That morning I check my email box and got a request by one of my customers to update several of their web pages. My primary computer, however, is an HP Pavilion zx5000—a heavy, oversize, desktop replacement machine. I wasn’t about to lug that beast along for the ride. However, I also have a Fujitsu p7120 ultra-portable notebook (for when I’m traveling light). Luckily (since there was no time to transfer files from one PC to another) all of my working files and programs were now on my MojoPac, and all I had to do to keep working (for the duration of that hellish 10 hour journey) was to grab my little p120 notebook, my mobile phone (with Bluetooth), and my MojoPac. (Yes, my passport too. Sheesh.) And by the time the mini-bus reached the first ferry off the island from where I’m based, I had already made the Web file change with Dreamweaver, created a new jpeg image (with Fireworks), uploaded the revisions to my customer’s web server, and logged the working time in Excel. Afterwards, I downloaded new emails and replied to them (via Outlook), and then read BBCNews.com and NYTimes.com before calling that spur-of-the-moment workday complete.

A few matters of concern:

I loaded the trial version (free for 30 days) MojoPac onto a 60GB, USB 2.0, external hard drive. Although I found little resistance in applying programs to it (involving the same procedures as loading applications to any PC), I noticed a couple of minor issues. One was “power twitches”. This blinking on and off of the MojoPac working environment was due to the fact that USB offers far less power than when working directly from a host PC. Secondly, I found that MojoPac would not allow me to load my Norton Anti-Virus. RingCube’s (the makers of MojoPac) tech people recommended that one uses a “USB power cable” or a “dual-headed” cable that attaches to 2 USB ports—one for data, the other for power. I experienced a little less twitching when experimenting with the later option. My external HDD does not provide for a power cable. The twitching, however, was simply a minor annoyance than anything else. As for protecting your MojoPac against viruses, MojoPac offers a list of other security product options that work (including TrendMicro) and have assured me that their next version of MojoPac (due out soon) will allow for Norton Anti-Virus. I did, however, notice (between toggling back and forth between the host and MojoPac view) that the Norton Anti-Virus on my host was already filtering out my emails for me on the MojoPac. And though this makes me question whether there is any sharing of programs or files going on between the host PC and MojoPac, the people at RingCube state that “no, nothing” is shared between host and MojoPac.

As for technical support,

Posted at 03:00 PM in Products for the Nomad, Ricardo, Stuff You Need, Tech Stuff | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

In this last post on cell/mobile basics let's look at choices for those of you wanting alternatives to mobile phone communication while you galavant around the globe.

Return Call Service (also called Call Back Service) offers an alternative way for international travelers using mobile phones to avoid the high international rates for outgoing calls on their phone. In some cases, Return Call Rates may be better than local SIM cards with GSM unlocked phones. Here is how it works. First, you obtain a unique telephone number in your home country (these can be obtained from sellers such as Telestial or China Mobile. When you are traveling, you call the unique number using any phone (your mobile, your hotel, it doesn't matter). Upon the first ring you hang up. This prevents you from being charged for an international call. The Return Call Service records your number and calls you back a few moments later (China Mobile numbers offer a feature where you can record a message for this return call instructing hotel personnel to connect the call to your room). Once you receive the call back you are then within the Return Call automated system where you can dial the number of the person you wish to reach. Most cell phones do not charge for incoming calls and some SIM cards also offer free incoming international calls. Thus, you do not pay for the incoming call, you only pay the per minute fee of the Return Call service. I found fees to be around .14 cents per minute for U.S./France calls and .20 cents per minute for U.S./Thailand calls.

A word of caution for Return Call Service users: Be aware that certain Global Roaming SIM cards do not allow for use of this service. However, you should be alright with local prepaid SIM cards.

A couple of benefits of choosing Return Call Service:

* No set up fee
* Pay as you go
* No need for special equipment. In fact, you could call from any phone and really have no need to travel with a mobile.
* No need to ask clients to call you.

Our second alternative to a mobile phone will appeal to those most adventurous folks who travel beyond the boundaries of mobile phone services. The satellite phone will allow you to shoot the breeze with mom and dad while you're planting your flag on the North Pole. Satellite phones come with all the features of most mobile phones without any of the boundaries. However, you will pay the price. Satellite phones can range from $700-$2000 U.S.. You can also choose to rent if you don't wish to own. Rental prices from Telestial range from $7 per day to $19 per day depending on duration.

A word of caution for satellite phone users: In addition to your cost for purchase or rental of a satellite phone be prepared for rates around $1.70 U.S. per minute, as well as set up fees. Also, be aware that not all satellite phones reach to the far corners of the earth. Some of the less pricey brands have more limited ranges of service. Buyer beware.

Benefits of choosing a satellite phone:
* with the right phone you can get service on 100% of the globe.

Finally, we have Skype". If you'd like to do away with the phones altogether and travel only with your trusty laptop, consider Skyping. At this point in time many people are Skype pros and yet the technology is still new enough that there are plenty of folks who have never heard of it. Skype allows you to open an account on their web site with name and password. By attaching a headset to your laptop you can then "Skype Out" or place a "Skype to Skype" call to anyone anywhere. Skyping out allows you to call any telephone in the world from your laptop. Placing a Skype to Skype call refers to a call from your laptop to the computer of another individual with a Skype" account. The beauty of the Skype to Skype call is that it is completely free! However, even Skyping Out rates are extremely reasonable and better than any phone rate you can probably find. In addition, Skype accounts come with voice mail features just as your phone would.

A word of caution to potential Skype users: be sure that you will have access to a good high speed connection if you intend to use Skype for important conversations such as coaching calls to clients, or teleconferences. Without a good connection you may experience substantial noise. However, with a good connection, calls are as clear as with any other telephone.

Benefits of using Skype":
* Probably the best rates overall of any audio communication device.
* Ability to communicate without a telephone and from any place with high speed internet.
* Possibility of free communication in a Skype to Skype scenario.

If you read my first entry on mobile phone basics you may remember we left with tips on purchasing a mobile phone for international travel. They were as follows:

- ask for a GSM phone
- ask if the phone is locked. If so, how can it be unlocked?
- ask what frequency the phone uses (most countries use 900/1800 MHZ)

So, let's understand better why GSM technology is important for international travel and how it works. First, as I stated before, most of the world (over 200 countries) use GSM technology, so you will get greatest mobility with this choice. Secondly, a GSM phone is not tied to any particular service provider. In the U.S. most mobile phones are tied to a particular provider and will not work in areas the provider doesn't cover. With an unlocked GSM phone, you are able to purchase SIM cards (which stands for Subscriber Information Module) to allow you to access particular providers in the country you are visiting.

In other words, imagine I am taking a tour of 4 Mediterranean countries. I can purchase 4 pre-paid SIM cards for Italy, Greece, Spain, and France. As I move from country to country I change SIM cards and my GSM phone continues to work throughout the trip. SIM cards vary depending on the amount of minutes you are pre-purchasing. Expect $30-$60 US on average. These may come with features such as free incoming calls (including international incoming calls) or credits for outgoing minutes. Per minute rates with SIM cards should be significantly cheaper than global roaming rates.

Some people choose to purchase GSM phones from their U.S. mobile phone service and to request that the global roaming feature be activated. If you make this choice, be sure to find out what the cost per minute will be for calls from the countries you will be visiting. Costs can range up to $6.00 US per minute. Don't get slammed with a huge bill on your return. However, if you only want the ability to call out in case of emergency and don't plan on using your phone otherwise, this may be a good option.

Maybe you are convinced now that a GSM phone is essential to your voyage. Now there is another choice point. Should you rent or purchase? In my online search I found prices for unlocked international GSM phones to range from $100 to $700 US depending on features (take a look at Telestial). Rental rates average about $50 US per month with an average $20 US delivery charge (found at Cellular Express).

In terms of making the buy/rent decision you'll most likely want to consider:
1) How long will I be away?
2) How often do I travel?

Stay tuned for Part 3 of this series. I'll be discussing alternative phone communications!

When you’re planning to work and travel internationally a telephone will probably be one of your essential pieces of equipment. Experienced nomads not only use their mobile phones for voice communication but often as the interface between their laptop and that country's dial up internet service (if supported by Bluetooth). Most of us are used to the mobility of cell/mobile phones these days and wouldn’t want to be dependent upon hotel phones or finding a pay phone in a remote location. So when it comes to mobile phone technology once you leave your motherland how does it all work? What are the choices and ramifications of each choice? Understanding the many variations can be mind boggling but not doing your homework can result in unexpected gigantic bills at the end of the month.

This is the first in a series of articles I’ll be writing on mobile phones and travel. So, let’s start with the basics:

Basic #1 We Are Not All the Same – GSM, CDMA, IDEN…?
It is first important to understand that different countries use different types of phone service technology. The most common is GSM service. This technology was developed so that people could move freely from country to country with one phone, simply buying what are called SIM cards to use with their phone in order to gain access to specific country services as they moved. While over 200 countries worldwide use GSM service, the U.S. does not. The U.S. uses a variety of other technology such as CDMA and IDEN among others. In the U.S. most mobile phones only work with their particular service provider technology.
Therefore, a mobile phone purchased in the U.S. will likely not work in other countries. While some mobile phone providers (TMobile, Cingular) will sell GSM phones, be aware that the Global Roaming feature must be enabled by the provider and that roaming charges will be accrued should you place a call while traveling. In addition, a U.S. GSM phone may not work on the correct frequency for the country you are visiting and therefore be useless to you when you arrive. This brings us to Basic #2.

Basic #2 We Dance to Different Drummers – Frequency Issues
Just as you will find different services in various countries you may visit, you may also find that mobile phones are running on a different frequency. The U.S. uses 850 and 1900 MHZ bands while most other countries use a combination of 900 and 1800 MHZ. Mobile phones can only make and receive calls if they are using the same frequency bands as the country you are standing in. So – as stated above – a GSM phone purchased in the U.S. that works in U.S. frequency bands will not work abroad in most countries. It is possible to find some phones that are tri-band or quad-band but they are uncommon and expensive. Check on the frequencies used in your destination country before you purchase a phone. For a comprehensive list of frequencies for various countries visit: GSM World

Basic #3 Don’t Get Locked Out – Unlocking Mobile Phones
You may be getting the feeling that that U.S. is a pain in the butt when it comes to playing mobile phone games with other countries. You’re right. Here’s another U.S. issue. The mobile phone you buy in the U.S. is most likely “locked”. This means it has been made to only work with the provider you bought it from. In other words, the phone you get from the Sprint counter will only work as long as you pay for Sprint service. If you buy a GSM phone and wish to use it abroad by purchasing another country’s SIM card (to be discussed) you will need to get your phone “unlocked”. This can be done on some phones by perusing the internet for the unlocking code for your make and model. However, certain phones will require a visit to the provider to be unlocked.

O.K., so there are the bare bones basics to how the mobile phone world works. In a nutshell, many travelers find that purchasing an unlocked GSM phone that runs on frequencies for the countries they are visiting (most likely 900/1800 MHZ) and then purchasing a SIM card for the particular country is the most cost effective way to go. SIM cards can be purchased in most countries at convenience stores, book stores, gas stations, etc. The rates are usually very reasonable and many include incentives such as a certain number of free minutes. If you don’t wish to worry about purchasing a SIM card when you arrive in your destination, you might like to purchase one before your departure. SIM cards for many countries can be purchased through Telestial and delivered to you before your flight.

Quick Tips for mobile phone decision making:
- ask for a GSM phone
- ask if the phone is locked. If so, how can it be unlocked?
- ask what frequency the phone uses (most countries use 900/1800 MHZ)
Note: If you’re traveling to Japan, it is one of the few non-U.S, countries that does not use GSM.

So - you're in Timbuktu, busily working on your latest project with your laptop when trouble hits. Your laptop is behaving like it's about to go up in smoke at any minute. What do you do? You're thousands of miles away from the nearest Geek Squad and you don't know how to express what's happening in the local language let alone even figure out how to find the nearest computer repair.

Never fear, remote computer repair is here. A new division of SupportSoft Inc., Support.com can diagnose and fix many computer issues via the internet. Here's how it works. If you can still access the internet, call Support.com via telephone (or use Skype to avoid crazy phone fees). You will be given a special url to connect to the internet. The Support.com system will diagnose and repair your problem remotely. Pretty cool, huh! And their prices are very reasonable. Most published services vary from about $20 US to $99 US. In addition, they offer training on MP3 downloads, digital cameras, and system tune ups.

According to Business Week Online the scan used by Support.com for its individual remote customers is the same system they've used for their large corporate customers. "Before it sold its PC units to Lenovo, IBM (IBM) deployed SupportSoft tools on its ThinkPad line of notebook PCs sold to corporate customers. Time Warner Cable (TWX) uses SupportSoft tools to help customers of its RoadRunner cable modem service. Other customers include Procter & Gamble (PG), 3M (MMM), Sony (SNE), and Bank of America (BAC). " (Hesseldahl, Arik, Business Week Online). In other words, rest assured, the technology should be top of the line.

Bad news? If you can't get onto the internet you may be SOL or trying to explain what's happening with your PC in a foreign tongue. However, by using Support.com's system tune up on a regular basis, perhaps you can avoid this unhappy possibility for a longer period of time.

Our latest review of laptops reveals that manufacturers are more than a little schizophrenic—but in a good way. They now offer lighter machines that offer either a larger screen size (up to 19”!) or, 9” screens. Both trends will appeal to (if not actually benefit) the nomadic worker.

Interestingly, our recent Laptop Review (comprised of top reviews by PC World and Laptop magazines, and frequent visits to Bangkok’s famed Pantip Plaza) of the top rated power (“desktop replacement”) machines nearly all have a screen size of 17”. One prime example is HP Pavilion’s dv9000t: powerful, lighter then ever (8 lbs, down 1.5 pounds from its predecessor the zd7000), with better visuals and sound.

However, historically, even the 15” machines were considered too over-sized for the average nomadic worker/traveler—mostly due to the weight involved in producing such a beast. But with the introduction of Dual-Core technology, having a full-on display (even if it’s only to watch DVD movies, or for gaming while on the road) has made this luxury more tempting. I mean, let’s face it. After you’ve done your morning’s work, visited a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the afternoon, and have finished up the last chapter of that great book a week ago, being able to enjoy a DVD movie on a proper size display is a reasonable desire—is it not! Therefore, a fresh look at over-sized notebooks needs to occur—even though many of us wanderlusters have chosen to take our lives on the road to get away from all that excess. But, this reviewer regresses. Anyway…

Lugging around a 17” (or even Alienware’s Area-51m 5750 machine with a mega screen size of 19”) machine around—this laptop hobo believes—is sort of like bringing your snake-skin cowboy boots with you to the tropics. They may look and feel good to you at home but you’ll soon realize they’re a pain to carry and the extravagance of it a bit over-the-top. Yet, this is not to say that large displays don’t serve an important niche community. They do. Specifically, multimedia and graphic designers who struggle enough outside of their full-on studio will most likely be the ones willing to shoulder the burden of these mega desktop replacements. And if one plans to base themselves in a single location, as oppose to backpacking through Europe or Asia (and changing locations frequently) then the larger machines are but another factor of your oversized luggage.

Leaping into the other direction is the Ultra-portable choice. Not only are they more powerful, but they are shrinking. In fact, some may actually be too small. Where this reviewer continues to tout the extreme mobility of Fujitsu’s Lifebook P7120 (and uses it when away from his base location), the new Lifebook P1610 may not be practical for long term use—even though it weighs only 2.2 lbs and displays a screen size of only 9.1 inches. However, if you don’t have to work with a lot of graphics, and full work days are a rarity, then the new P1610 just might be your baby.

Something more in the middle perhaps?

Although this reviewer is a very big fan of HP’s Pavilion line, specifically the award-amassing dv6000t (15.4”, 6.1 lbs, very powerful and unsurpassed multimedia) and the dv2000t (14.1”, 5.3 lbs, with great graphics and sound), the great middle contender just may be Lenovo’s (remember IBM?) ThinkPad x60s Notebook. Hailed by several leading tech magazines (PC World and Laptop Magazines, to name just two), this power-puppy comes in at 3.5 lbs, with a nomad-friendly 12.1” display. It has a battery life of more than 8 hours and its Intel 1.66-MHz Core Duo L2400 processor makes it one of the fastest ultraportable machines ever.

Best bets.

If you need a very powerful machine, one with a full-size screen, then the best bet in the power/desktop-replacement category may be HP Pavilion’s dv6000t. For extreme portability (that won’t make you go completely blind squinting over the screen size), then the nod is on Fujitsu’s Lifebook p7120. But should you desire a very nice balance between the two, then Lenovo’s ThinkPad x60s is a very safe bet.

Please visit our Laptop Review Page .

Cell/Mobile Phone Basics for Travelers Part 3: Beyond the Mobile Phone

In this last post on cell/mobile basics let's look at choices for those of you wanting alternatives to mobile phone communication while you galavant around the globe.

Return Call Service (also called Call Back Service) offers an alternative way for international travelers using mobile phones to avoid the high international rates for outgoing calls on their phone. In some cases, Return Call Rates may be better than local SIM cards with GSM unlocked phones. Here is how it works. First, you obtain a unique telephone number in your home country (these can be obtained from sellers such as Telestial or China Mobile. When you are traveling, you call the unique number using any phone (your mobile, your hotel, it doesn't matter). Upon the first ring you hang up. This prevents you from being charged for an international call. The Return Call Service records your number and calls you back a few moments later (China Mobile numbers offer a feature where you can record a message for this return call instructing hotel personnel to connect the call to your room). Once you receive the call back you are then within the Return Call automated system where you can dial the number of the person you wish to reach. Most cell phones do not charge for incoming calls and some SIM cards also offer free incoming international calls. Thus, you do not pay for the incoming call, you only pay the per minute fee of the Return Call service. I found fees to be around .14 cents per minute for U.S./France calls and .20 cents per minute for U.S./Thailand calls.

A word of caution for Return Call Service users: Be aware that certain Global Roaming SIM cards do not allow for use of this service. However, you should be alright with local prepaid SIM cards.

A couple of benefits of choosing Return Call Service:

* No set up fee
* Pay as you go
* No need for special equipment. In fact, you could call from any phone and really have no need to travel with a mobile.
* No need to ask clients to call you.

Our second alternative to a mobile phone will appeal to those most adventurous folks who travel beyond the boundaries of mobile phone services. The satellite phone will allow you to shoot the breeze with mom and dad while you're planting your flag on the North Pole. Satellite phones come with all the features of most mobile phones without any of the boundaries. However, you will pay the price. Satellite phones can range from $700-$2000 U.S.. You can also choose to rent if you don't wish to own. Rental prices from Telestial range from $7 per day to $19 per day depending on duration.

A word of caution for satellite phone users: In addition to your cost for purchase or rental of a satellite phone be prepared for rates around $1.70 U.S. per minute, as well as set up fees. Also, be aware that not all satellite phones reach to the far corners of the earth. Some of the less pricey brands have more limited ranges of service. Buyer beware.

Benefits of choosing a satellite phone:
* with the right phone you can get service on 100% of the globe.

Finally, we have Skype". If you'd like to do away with the phones altogether and travel only with your trusty laptop, consider Skyping. At this point in time many people are Skype pros and yet the technology is still new enough that there are plenty of folks who have never heard of it. Skype allows you to open an account on their web site with name and password. By attaching a headset to your laptop you can then "Skype Out" or place a "Skype to Skype" call to anyone anywhere. Skyping out allows you to call any telephone in the world from your laptop. Placing a Skype to Skype call refers to a call from your laptop to the computer of another individual with a Skype" account. The beauty of the Skype to Skype call is that it is completely free! However, even Skyping Out rates are extremely reasonable and better than any phone rate you can probably find. In addition, Skype accounts come with voice mail features just as your phone would.

A word of caution to potential Skype users: be sure that you will have access to a good high speed connection if you intend to use Skype for important conversations such as coaching calls to clients, or teleconferences. Without a good connection you may experience substantial noise. However, with a good connection, calls are as clear as with any other telephone.

Benefits of using Skype":
* Probably the best rates overall of any audio communication device.
* Ability to communicate without a telephone and from any place with high speed internet.
* Possibility of free communication in a Skype to Skype scenario.

Cell/Mobile Phone Basics for Travelers Part 2 - Why GSM?

If you read my first entry on mobile phone basics you may remember we left with tips on purchasing a mobile phone for international travel. They were as follows:

- ask for a GSM phone
- ask if the phone is locked. If so, how can it be unlocked?
- ask what frequency the phone uses (most countries use 900/1800 MHZ)

So, let's understand better why GSM technology is important for international travel and how it works. First, as I stated before, most of the world (over 200 countries) use GSM technology, so you will get greatest mobility with this choice. Secondly, a GSM phone is not tied to any particular service provider. In the U.S. most mobile phones are tied to a particular provider and will not work in areas the provider doesn't cover. With an unlocked GSM phone, you are able to purchase SIM cards (which stands for Subscriber Information Module) to allow you to access particular providers in the country you are visiting.

In other words, imagine I am taking a tour of 4 Mediterranean countries. I can purchase 4 pre-paid SIM cards for Italy, Greece, Spain, and France. As I move from country to country I change SIM cards and my GSM phone continues to work throughout the trip. SIM cards vary depending on the amount of minutes you are pre-purchasing. Expect $30-$60 US on average. These may come with features such as free incoming calls (including international incoming calls) or credits for outgoing minutes. Per minute rates with SIM cards should be significantly cheaper than global roaming rates.

Some people choose to purchase GSM phones from their U.S. mobile phone service and to request that the global roaming feature be activated. If you make this choice, be sure to find out what the cost per minute will be for calls from the countries you will be visiting. Costs can range up to $6.00 US per minute. Don't get slammed with a huge bill on your return. However, if you only want the ability to call out in case of emergency and don't plan on using your phone otherwise, this may be a good option.

Maybe you are convinced now that a GSM phone is essential to your voyage. Now there is another choice point. Should you rent or purchase? In my online search I found prices for unlocked international GSM phones to range from $100 to $700 US depending on features (take a look at Telestial). Rental rates average about $50 US per month with an average $20 US delivery charge (found at Cellular Express).

In terms of making the buy/rent decision you'll most likely want to consider:
1) How long will I be away?
2) How often do I travel?

Stay tuned for Part 3 of this series. I'll be discussing alternative phone communications!

Cell/Mobile Phone Basics for Travelers

When you’re planning to work and travel internationally a telephone will probably be one of your essential pieces of equipment. Experienced nomads not only use their mobile phones for voice communication but often as the interface between their laptop and that country's dial up internet service (if supported by Bluetooth). Most of us are used to the mobility of cell/mobile phones these days and wouldn’t want to be dependent upon hotel phones or finding a pay phone in a remote location. So when it comes to mobile phone technology once you leave your motherland how does it all work? What are the choices and ramifications of each choice? Understanding the many variations can be mind boggling but not doing your homework can result in unexpected gigantic bills at the end of the month.

This is the first in a series of articles I’ll be writing on mobile phones and travel. So, let’s start with the basics:

Basic #1 We Are Not All the Same – GSM, CDMA, IDEN…?
It is first important to understand that different countries use different types of phone service technology. The most common is GSM service. This technology was developed so that people could move freely from country to country with one phone, simply buying what are called SIM cards to use with their phone in order to gain access to specific country services as they moved. While over 200 countries worldwide use GSM service, the U.S. does not. The U.S. uses a variety of other technology such as CDMA and IDEN among others. In the U.S. most mobile phones only work with their particular service provider technology.
Therefore, a mobile phone purchased in the U.S. will likely not work in other countries. While some mobile phone providers (TMobile, Cingular) will sell GSM phones, be aware that the Global Roaming feature must be enabled by the provider and that roaming charges will be accrued should you place a call while traveling. In addition, a U.S. GSM phone may not work on the correct frequency for the country you are visiting and therefore be useless to you when you arrive. This brings us to Basic #2.

Basic #2 We Dance to Different Drummers – Frequency Issues
Just as you will find different services in various countries you may visit, you may also find that mobile phones are running on a different frequency. The U.S. uses 850 and 1900 MHZ bands while most other countries use a combination of 900 and 1800 MHZ. Mobile phones can only make and receive calls if they are using the same frequency bands as the country you are standing in. So – as stated above – a GSM phone purchased in the U.S. that works in U.S. frequency bands will not work abroad in most countries. It is possible to find some phones that are tri-band or quad-band but they are uncommon and expensive. Check on the frequencies used in your destination country before you purchase a phone. For a comprehensive list of frequencies for various countries visit: GSM World

Basic #3 Don’t Get Locked Out – Unlocking Mobile Phones
You may be getting the feeling that that U.S. is a pain in the butt when it comes to playing mobile phone games with other countries. You’re right. Here’s another U.S. issue. The mobile phone you buy in the U.S. is most likely “locked”. This means it has been made to only work with the provider you bought it from. In other words, the phone you get from the Sprint counter will only work as long as you pay for Sprint service. If you buy a GSM phone and wish to use it abroad by purchasing another country’s SIM card (to be discussed) you will need to get your phone “unlocked”. This can be done on some phones by perusing the internet for the unlocking code for your make and model. However, certain phones will require a visit to the provider to be unlocked.

O.K., so there are the bare bones basics to how the mobile phone world works. In a nutshell, many travelers find that purchasing an unlocked GSM phone that runs on frequencies for the countries they are visiting (most likely 900/1800 MHZ) and then purchasing a SIM card for the particular country is the most cost effective way to go. SIM cards can be purchased in most countries at convenience stores, book stores, gas stations, etc. The rates are usually very reasonable and many include incentives such as a certain number of free minutes. If you don’t wish to worry about purchasing a SIM card when you arrive in your destination, you might like to purchase one before your departure. SIM cards for many countries can be purchased through Telestial and delivered to you before your flight.

Quick Tips for mobile phone decision making:
- ask for a GSM phone
- ask if the phone is locked. If so, how can it be unlocked?
- ask what frequency the phone uses (most countries use 900/1800 MHZ)
Note: If you’re traveling to Japan, it is one of the few non-U.S, countries that does not use GSM.

Need Laptop Repair on the Road?

So - you're in Timbuktu, busily working on your latest project with your laptop when trouble hits. Your laptop is behaving like it's about to go up in smoke at any minute. What do you do? You're thousands of miles away from the nearest Geek Squad and you don't know how to express what's happening in the local language let alone even figure out how to find the nearest computer repair.

Never fear, remote computer repair is here. A new division of SupportSoft Inc., Support.com can diagnose and fix many computer issues via the internet. Here's how it works. If you can still access the internet, call Support.com via telephone (or use Skype to avoid crazy phone fees). You will be given a special url to connect to the internet. The Support.com system will diagnose and repair your problem remotely. Pretty cool, huh! And their prices are very reasonable. Most published services vary from about $20 US to $99 US. In addition, they offer training on MP3 downloads, digital cameras, and system tune ups.

According to Business Week Online the scan used by Support.com for its individual remote customers is the same system they've used for their large corporate customers. "Before it sold its PC units to Lenovo, IBM (IBM) deployed SupportSoft tools on its ThinkPad line of notebook PCs sold to corporate customers. Time Warner Cable (TWX) uses SupportSoft tools to help customers of its RoadRunner cable modem service. Other customers include Procter & Gamble (PG), 3M (MMM), Sony (SNE), and Bank of America (BAC). " (Hesseldahl, Arik, Business Week Online). In other words, rest assured, the technology should be top of the line.

Bad news? If you can't get onto the internet you may be SOL or trying to explain what's happening with your PC in a foreign tongue. However, by using Support.com's system tune up on a regular basis, perhaps you can avoid this unhappy possibility for a longer period of time.

Laptop Review - Size Matters

Our latest review of laptops reveals that manufacturers are more than a little schizophrenic—but in a good way. They now offer lighter machines that offer either a larger screen size (up to 19”!) or, 9” screens. Both trends will appeal to (if not actually benefit) the nomadic worker.

Interestingly, our recent Laptop Review (comprised of top reviews by PC World and Laptop magazines, and frequent visits to Bangkok’s famed Pantip Plaza) of the top rated power (“desktop replacement”) machines nearly all have a screen size of 17”. One prime example is HP Pavilion’s dv9000t: powerful, lighter then ever (8 lbs, down 1.5 pounds from its predecessor the zd7000), with better visuals and sound.

However, historically, even the 15” machines were considered too over-sized for the average nomadic worker/traveler—mostly due to the weight involved in producing such a beast. But with the introduction of Dual-Core technology, having a full-on display (even if it’s only to watch DVD movies, or for gaming while on the road) has made this luxury more tempting. I mean, let’s face it. After you’ve done your morning’s work, visited a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the afternoon, and have finished up the last chapter of that great book a week ago, being able to enjoy a DVD movie on a proper size display is a reasonable desire—is it not! Therefore, a fresh look at over-sized notebooks needs to occur—even though many of us wanderlusters have chosen to take our lives on the road to get away from all that excess. But, this reviewer regresses. Anyway…

Lugging around a 17” (or even Alienware’s Area-51m 5750 machine with a mega screen size of 19”) machine around—this laptop hobo believes—is sort of like bringing your snake-skin cowboy boots with you to the tropics. They may look and feel good to you at home but you’ll soon realize they’re a pain to carry and the extravagance of it a bit over-the-top. Yet, this is not to say that large displays don’t serve an important niche community. They do. Specifically, multimedia and graphic designers who struggle enough outside of their full-on studio will most likely be the ones willing to shoulder the burden of these mega desktop replacements. And if one plans to base themselves in a single location, as oppose to backpacking through Europe or Asia (and changing locations frequently) then the larger machines are but another factor of your oversized luggage.

Leaping into the other direction is the Ultra-portable choice. Not only are they more powerful, but they are shrinking. In fact, some may actually be too small. Where this reviewer continues to tout the extreme mobility of Fujitsu’s Lifebook P7120 (and uses it when away from his base location), the new Lifebook P1610 may not be practical for long term use—even though it weighs only 2.2 lbs and displays a screen size of only 9.1 inches. However, if you don’t have to work with a lot of graphics, and full work days are a rarity, then the new P1610 just might be your baby.

Something more in the middle perhaps?

Although this reviewer is a very big fan of HP’s Pavilion line, specifically the award-amassing dv6000t (15.4”, 6.1 lbs, very powerful and unsurpassed multimedia) and the dv2000t (14.1”, 5.3 lbs, with great graphics and sound), the great middle contender just may be Lenovo’s (remember IBM?) ThinkPad x60s Notebook. Hailed by several leading tech magazines (PC World and Laptop Magazines, to name just two), this power-puppy comes in at 3.5 lbs, with a nomad-friendly 12.1” display. It has a battery life of more than 8 hours and its Intel 1.66-MHz Core Duo L2400 processor makes it one of the fastest ultraportable machines ever.

Best bets.

If you need a very powerful machine, one with a full-size screen, then the best bet in the power/desktop-replacement category may be HP Pavilion’s dv6000t. For extreme portability (that won’t make you go completely blind squinting over the screen size), then the nod is on Fujitsu’s Lifebook p7120. But should you desire a very nice balance between the two, then Lenovo’s ThinkPad x60s is a very safe bet.

Please visit our Laptop Review Page .