Date:         Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:54:13 -0400
Reply-To:     Peter K <bybike@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Peter K <bybike@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Smartphones for Vanagoneers; was RE: CB
In-Reply-To:  <2A71EA6F-530F-436A-A2DB-99EF091759FB@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

My Vanagon is a mobile photo lab, getting me to the bike races I cover.
This weekend will be a full test as I head to Elk Grove IL for 3 days of
racing. Here is what I've been doing locally in Canada (and what I did in
the previous transporter).

En route, my iphone is a gps and entertainment system (plugged into the aux.
input on the stereo). Fits nicely in the ashtray : ). The GPS uses up some
of my data plan. The music is all bonus...
Once I'm there and am done shooting, I sit at the back bench, pull the table
out and start processing photos from my cameras onto my Macbook Pro. Once
I've selected the group of photos, and written the corresponding article, I
tether my phone to my MacBook and use the 3G network to upload words and
text to the publication / website that has commissioned me. My current plan
has a monthly cap of 6GB, I've never come close to that. However... I'm told
that tethering isn't always available when roaming in the States so as
another option (plan B) I have a Virginmobile Mifi 3G device, which I can
share with up to 5 devices. This has a pay-as-you-go plan, so it's only
activated when I need it (starting @ $10 for 100MB, good for 10 days - I
have 1GB for 30 days). I will be testing this out on the weekend.

I expect it would be possible to share the Mifi with fellow Vanagonauts (or
other bus volks : ) who camp together... the tethered iphone is only good
for the one computer it's connected to.

And I would love a copy of the Bentley, the archives and more on my phone! I
already have a handful of traveling apps, to find Walmart locations, various
campground locators, and the CAA roadside assistance app of course! All
free. There is a "Truckers" app out there that looks good, however it's not
free and doesn't cover Canada so it's not worth it to me. And then there's
the app that's a level, helps me get the perfect spot when parking the
Vanagon at a campsite.

--
Regards, Peter Kraiker
studiofstop.com
'82 Westfalia 1.9TD