What is the most popular and effective device to use for a Trail Forums journal while out on the trail? I’m used to using a full size keyboard, writing at length and editing.
Nunam
Nunam
AT Journaling Devices
system
#2
What exactly have you been using? You mention “a full size keyboard, writing at …” causing me to wonder about your question.
I have a Pocketmail Composer listed on eBay if that is what your are looking for. It is similiar to a PDA. :oh
Rowdy Yates
system
#3
According to Wikipedia, Pocketmail is no longer in business. According to some postings on Whiteblaze, Pocketmail, at the very least, is no longer providing service.
Nunam
system
#4
Pocketmail fell of the end of the earth last February (2010) right after we renewed our subscription for a year. The SOBs took our money and then disappeared. The website and all their phone numbers went dark at that time. I saw a lot of different smartphones so I guess it’s up to which one you like. You can always use the libraries in some of the towns along the trail, many allow hikers access to their computers. Also some hostels and motels have computers they allow guests to use.
Old Goat
system
#5
Does anyone know if the PEEK9 e mail device is operational. To me it sounds perfect for the job but there seems to be a lot of controversy as to whether the company is operational or not. I want to buy one for my hike but don’t want to waste my money if its going the way of Pocketmail.
RichardD
system
#6
It also depends on how much weight and size you want to devote to the device. A tablet, like the iPad or similar, would be much easier to use than a smart phone, but bulky and subject to damage in a pack. Another option is a smart phone, but with an external bluetooth keyboard - but do you really want to carry an keyboard? I use a Sprint EVO4G, but it eats the battery like nothing I’ve ever seen, plus the on screen keyboard drives me nuts. There is a lot of connectivity out there, but it’s not everywhere. Best bet is to create your entries offline, then when you have connectivity, upload or copy them to trailjournals.
Bear Bag Hanger
system
#7
It is TRUE that Pocketmail went down the tubes and left a lot of people holding an empty purse. However, the Device can still be used as a PDA. Enter your Journals, store and when you get home upload them to you PC.
YES, the Peek9 is still up and operational. their website (http://www.peek9.com) has lots of info available.
Rowdy Yates
system
#9
“NASA spent millions of dollars to invent a pen that would write in space. The Russians used pencils.”
Old Goat
system
#10
I have always used pen and paper then typed up the pages after the hike was over. For a four to six week hike that worked but it took a lot of time after the hike was over. I think the prospect of typing up six months of entries for an AT thru would be a daunting task and likely would never be completed.
I found that using computers along the way did not work either, it took me all of the time I could get on a library computer to type up two days of journals. Since I only stopped hiking every eight days that was a losing proposition.
The method of mailing hand written journal pages to my wife every time I come to a town might work but that gives her an awfull lot of work to do on my behalf.
E mail journal pages I think can be easily copied and pasted into trailjournals so provided the e mail service and the device were reliable then I think that would be a great solution. It seems there still exists much uncertainty as to whether the PEEK9 is a reliable option.
RichardD
system
#11
I have always used pen and paper then typed up the pages after the hike was over. For a four to six week hike that worked but it took a lot of time after the hike was over. I think the prospect of typing up six months of entries for an AT thru would be a daunting task and likely would never be completed.
I found that using computers along the way did not work either, it took me all of the time I could get on a library computer to type up two days of journals. Since I only stopped hiking every eight days that was a losing proposition.
The method of mailing hand written journal pages to my wife every time I come to a town might work but that gives her an awfull lot of work to do on my behalf.
E mail journal pages I think can be easily copied and pasted into trailjournals so provided the e mail service and the device were reliable then I think that would be a great solution. It seems there still exists much uncertainty as to whether the PEEK9 is a reliable option.
RichardD