Journal by PDA and Modem Smartcard

imported
#1

People generally agree that an important part of an AT thru-hike is the purging of dependence on modern conveniences; learning what’s the bare essence of living. I agree, but still consider this (not philosophically but technically):

I am toying with ways to keep an on-line journal in 2002. Rather than the hassles and delays of mailing hand written notes to a gracious but overworked transcriber, I am considering using a PDA (Pocket PC or Palm Pilot) to write my daily journal. The Pocket PCs have a card slot that will take the smartcard directly from a digital camera for including photos with my journals entries. In addition, the card slot accepts a tiny modem card with a phone plug. When I get to a town, I will plug the modem card into the phone line, call a web service provider and access the Trail Journal website on my PDA. I can then download my entries and photos directly. I have never used any of these devices. Anyone more knowledgeable see a problem?

just Ray

#2

We used Sharp’s telmail unit which allows you to transmit through the phone handset. We met others who had compact pc’s that required access to a jack and that turned out to be somewhat problematic at times. Some places aren’t real eager to let you use their phone jack. Other places, you’re stuck with a pay phone and there’s no jack there, Jack. We had a tough time convincing some people to let us use their phone to call our 1-800 number to do our transmissions, and it only takes a few minutes. The Sharp unit was nice 'cause it’s pretty lightweight and the keys are easy to use. However, I’ve heard rumors this unit is being phased out. You can get an attachment for some pda which uses the same pocketmail service. (web site at pocketmail.com) We e-mailed our journals to our transcriber and she just copied and pasted into trail journals. We also found that we had so much to do when were in town (laundry, shower, food, shower, supplies, shower), that posting our journals would have been taxing. Of course, there’s also the wireless pda, if you want to spend a few $. We met a couple of hikers with these units and they liked them, although they couldn’t always get service. Always pros and cons.
That’s the view from here…

Bramble

#3

I have been thinking about this issue as it relates to my 01/02 hike of the AT. I am not going to take a PC/modem and will just write the day to day journal in a notebook and mail it back home. When I return, I will have a real piece of personal history in those notebooks. If you can handle the weight and size and it is important to you, then consider it but also remember that instant communication may not be worthy of the effort.

John Everett