The last couple times I've gone camping I have taken my laptop. A lot of the California State Campgrounds have wi fi available. I take it thinking I will try out the wi fi and see how it works. I also justify taking it because I think it could get me out of a jam if say I got lost or something. Also we can watch videos on the thing. However, I have never done any of the above.
So I got to thinking that since everyone on this board are computer users how many of you take your computers with you?
Just bought a laptoop this Spring. Main reason was to take it to Florida with us.
What I learned was that all is not wifi in campgrounds or motels.
We stayed at three motels on the way down, all of which advertised wifi. Well, we couldn't get wifi in any of our rooms but one did provide us with a cable that we could use to connect to the internet in our room.
With some campgrounds, we found that we could not get reception at our site. We had to go near a rec room or the office to get any wifi.
At the cg we stayed in in Florida, they finally got the wifi sorted out and it was great being able to use the internet right from our site.
We did run into a couple of other campgrounds that reception was good also.
At best, it can be a catch as catch can situation.
We were on the road seven weeks and did find the laptop handy for email, keeping up with the news and online banking.
Only plan on taking the laptop with us on long trips. Shorter ones, I'd rather be fishing or kayaking than be on the internet.
Quote from: Dray. However, I have never done any of the above.
I think you answered your own question. You don't need a laptop when you are camping. Too much to do. :)
Quote from: DrayThe last couple times I've gone camping I have taken my laptop. A lot of the California State Campgrounds have wi fi available. I take it thinking I will try out the wi fi and see how it works. I also justify taking it because I think it could get me out of a jam if say I got lost or something. Also we can watch videos on the thing. However, I have never done any of the above.
So I got to thinking that since everyone on this board are computer users how many of you take your computers with you?
We do for simply the weather and tracking ability. In fact this past weekend we were camping south of Pittsburgh and had some extremely violent weather approaching that included hail. So much so, that we almost packed up and left. We watched the radar for a hour and a half straight to see where the storm was heading. When we saw it split and move north and south of us, we decided to stay. it was the right decision but would not have made that decision based upon "news around the campground" 2-3 hours prior. We were sure we were leaving. We stayed at a place that had wireless internet. We do not go to wireless exclusive campgrounds, we do stay at other places. When it is available, we bring it.
We look for wifi or internet hookups due to the fact that my husband "works from home" and we can usually sneak in some camping time while he is still on the clock. It works great for us. He is usually not without a laptop for even just looking up stuff to do in the local area and of course the ever present blackberry is always a reach away. He does relax too. We have a lot of leeway with him working from home.
I am a computer programmer by trade. I have earned a lot of money doing so, and still do. My current users are in five states and seven cities. I have had previous clients that used my software in as many as 40 different countries.
I carry a cell phone (soon to be two cell phones) and wear a bluetooth.
When I get home, there are more computers than I will count, both wired and wi-fi networks, a couple printers, digital cameras with multiple card readers, etc.
When I get to church, I am often responsible for running the sound system (a committment that includes a 3-hour practice and 5 hours on a Sunday morning), needing to manage mixer, equalizers, wireless microphones, digital in-ear monitors (with network), analog stage monitors, limters & gates, CD/DVD players/recorders, amplifiers, speakers, subwoofers, etc. Inputs include voices, electric and accoustic guitars, keyboards, drums, bass, grand piano (try making one of them sound right with one microphone placed inside the case), all while more than 500 critics who would like to blame me for an electric guitar being out of tune.
The last thing in the world I want is to carry anything that reminds me of all that stuff on vacation. Well, OK, maybe the digital camera.
Austin
If we are going somewhere where we know there are hookups, we will usually bring it and do a movie night one night in the campground. We have yet to stay anywhere with WiFi or other internet connectivity, but I could see the pluses (and the minuses) of bringing a computer along for that. Of course, if I am ever able to become a "full-timer", then that would become a different story.
Typically I do not bring the laptop as that's what I'm getting away from in camping. But I do have my cell phone which I can get weather radar and stuff on if needed (I like to know if I'm going to get wet).
But on an upcoming trip I'll be at a campground with WiFi and I will bring the laptop as I'm in the middle of a fantasy football dynasty draft and I need to check in once a day. :-()
I take my laptop on longer trips or for where I don't know the area because I use it along with a USB GPS for navigation. Otherwise, I leave it at home. For long trips, its good for the kids to watch a movie in bad weather too.
As for Wi-Fi, if its there I might use it. Mostly just to check e-mail or to check on things to do during the vacation or addresses etc. Also, here in Texas in the spring, being able to check the weather is almost a necessity. Nasty storms come up fast in this area.
Wi Fi is great for checking weather radar. Other than that we carry a 160 gb. USB powered portable drive along with the lap top that has all our music stored on it!
Quote from: GeneFI think you answered your own question. You don't need a laptop when you are camping. Too much to do. :)
I know. But I'm sure the next time when I don't take it I will need it.
I always take mine - along with my wife's. There are times at night when the boy wants to watch a video or play a game. I also tend to get some offline work done at night also, especially here in the NW when it very well could rain your entire weekend.
We camp once or twice a year more than 500 miles from home. My laptop has ALK Technologies GPS software on it and I use it for traveling.
I have yet to have WIFI at a CG but there is still hope.
I (as well as my 3 boys aged 29, 26 and 23) am a fan on MMA or UFC and they have PPV on TV as well as broadband. If I am at a CG that has WIFI and there is a big PPV event at the time, I would get it in a heartbeat.
I was camping last weekend and did find a signal outside of a library. I didn't get PPV in a parking lot but I did check the results the next morning with a short drive.
I have used the WiFi at a couple of campgrounds and my experience wasn't very good at all. After paying for the service it was iffy at best. I would also recommend against doing anything that is of a sensitive nature over a WiFi connection even with encryption.
I have been at a couple of campgrounds that offered wifi. Most of them don't work on my Mac laptop for some reason. I can see a signal, but I can't log on.
One of the more surprising things we came across last summer was free wifi on all the rest-stop areas on the interstate through Iowa. That was really nice, to be able to check e-mail for free while stopped for fueling up and hitting the john. They all worked on my mac too.
Almost all of the little coffee joints that advertise free wifi worked for me too. I made it a habit to order something like a smoothie or a cup-a-joe so that I wasn't just freeloading.
I don't use the computer much while we're on vacation, but there are a couple of things that must be checked up on from time-to-time.
-Speak
We have a laptop that we generally bring on our camping trips. We have DeLorme Map software and an Earthmate GPS receiver. When going through new territory GPS can be priceless. Other than that, we use it for notes on what we did, and an update on our evaluation of campsites.
We don't have WIFI. Maybe someday.
Bob
Quote from: DraySo I got to thinking that since everyone on this board are computer users how many of you take your computers with you?
I do - but I am on call 24/7 for problems that my clients may have (I own a computer network consulting business). I take a trusty Sprint PCS data card with, so if there's Sprint cellular, there's Internet (for the most part).
:)
Oh and we use it for movies, too..
We are avid Geocachers and plan on taking the laptop with us to download cache info close to wherever we are camping. Would also work if we are uploading cache info for caches we place. B is a certified GPS instructor with her own business of teaching GPS and navigation skills (discoveringgps.com)
We also bring our laptop for movies when we travel to hotels, so I imagine that will carry over to PU as well (but only for rainy days/nights).
I like the idea of a journey log on the laptop as well, downloading pics from the digital as we go....hmmmm....must think on this some more... :)
We usually bring a laptop along. The last time out the CG had WIFI. The kids used it alot for music and what all. The instant messaging was nice and they were sending pics to their friends. We have an entertainment center in the van to watch movies on. Nice, especially when it's hot and muggy out. Like a mini mobile theater.
Never leave home without my laptop! Too many occasions getting the right information at the right time is essential. When pulling the PUP I am on the computer downloading routes on the GPS, listening to my thousands of MP3's or watching a movie while hubby is concentrating on driving. Once in a campground and all set up, if there is WiFi, I will be on the laptop checking email, watching the weather or downloading pictures from the digital cameras and sending them to DD. So much is available online now days that it is just not practical for hubby and myself to not take advantage of it.
I'm also a computer tech and work on computers daily for a living, but what good is all of that knowledge if you can't put it to work for you.
And yes, we do relax and have fun. In fact, we have two PUP's, one smaller PUP for towing with the motorcycle and one larger PUP for towing with the SUV. We've traveled in all 50 states and into Canada and the laptop is a part of the family and part of the fun.
We take my wife's laptop so the boys can watch DVDs while I drink martinis.