The following tips have been compiled from many of PSS's clients over the last ten years. Many of which are truly "Road Warriors" immersed in mobile computing applications such as insurance claims processing, field service or route accounting. These mobile professionals see extreme environments, demanding applications and an absolute requirement for proven mobile computing tactics and products. We can all learn to be more productive, more bullet proof and make our mobile computing dollars go further based on this collective experience. Good luck out there and may all your bits and bytes be accessible, wherever your travels take you.

World-Wide Electricity

Before you can turn on your shaverr in Turkey or charge your batteries in Buenos Aires, you need to know two things: the type of electric current used in the country and what type of adapter will fit your plug to its socket.

Plug Adapters

When you travel, adapters get a little more complicated than the old "turn a three-prong into a two-prong" we all know and love. Specialty travel stores carry all the adapters, converters, and transformers you need to plug in around the world. Many stores compile the common models into packages for the frequent or wide-ranging traveler.

Voltage

After you find an adapter to fit your plug into the socket, your next concern is voltage. The standard voltages are 110 and 220 volts. If your appliance is made to run on either power, simply adjust the setting. If not, you will need a converter or transformer. Transformers, though heavier and more expensive, protect you equipment better than converters. Your transformer will either step up the power (change 110 volt electricity into 220 volts) or step it down (change 220 volts to 110 volts) so you can safely run your appliance.

Current and Cycles

Electric power comes in two forms, AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current). Wall sockets the world over produce AC current, but at different "cycles per second." In North America AC power runs at 60 cycles, which means the current changes direction 60 times a second (hence the name alternating current). Some simple devices are powered by this change of direction in the electric current. Clocks, for example, time the movement of their hands by tracking how many times the current has changed direction.

Electricity on the other six continents runs at 50 cycles per second, however, so appliances made for 60 cycles may run slowly, overheat, or fry up on 50 cycles. Converters and adapters do not change the cycle frequency. So, watch your stuff, and try not to use anything you bought in California for too long in London.

Generally speaking, the more complex your equipment, the more delicate it will be, and the more expensive it will be to replace. It pays to invest in a quality transformer.

How Does This Affect My Notebook Computer?

Many computers run on low-watt DC power. Since the AC current from the wall is transformed to DC (the current is direct and flows one way), the frequency of cycles is not an issue. Most notebooks come with transformers. These transform both current and voltage simultaneously, so a plug adapter is all you'll need.

World-Wide Phone Systems

Getting connected around the world is not difficult, but there are a few simple do's and don'ts you should remember. For successful modem use, review the following points:

Digital vs. Analog Phone Lines

Never connect your modem directly to a digital line. Modems work on analog, or sound, signals. The wattage from a digital line is too high for a modem. It will destroy your modem's circuits and possibly take down the hotel phone system. This is very important to remember because digital phones are becoming increasingly common in offices, hotels, and universities. A digital line may be revealed by the presence of a digital display or by extra buttons for voice messaging, room service, a radio, alarm, or light control.

To connect to a digital line you can use a device with a digital interface or you can buy an acoustic coupler. An acoustic coupler binds directly to the handset with Velcro strap. The main advantage of an acoustic coupler is its versatility--it will work with a digital or analog line, with a hard-wired phone, or at a pay phone. Modern acoustic couplers are also light, secure, and fast, and they can communicate at 2400bps.

Telephone Jacks/Hard Wiring

The telephone jack most often used in America, the RJ11, is the standard phone jack in roughly half of all countries worldwide. About 40 other models are used in the remaining half. Phone jack adapters are available from travel specialty stores and work just like plug adapters. Note: Hotels will often have the telephone system of their company's home country instead of the specific hotel's host country. Call ahead.

Your hotel room may have no phone jack at all--the line may simply disappear into the wall. This is called "hard wiring." If you attempt to pry off the plate and make a direct connection to the wires, you risk damaging your modem and bringing down the hotel phone system. A line tester can help, but better solutions are an acoustic coupler; a telephone line adapter that connects to the handset; or a duplex adapter, which allows you to create a connection for the modem and still use the telephone's manual dial.

Dialing

Familiarize yourself with your modem's capabilities before your trip. Know how to switch between pulse and tone dialing so you can conform your settings to the system you are going to use. You should also set your modem to "blind dial." Generally, the modem will only recognize the dial tone of its home country, so it will report that it can't find a dial tone elsewhere unless you instruct it not to look for one. If you dial manually, you avoid this problem and are free to talk to the hotel operator or long-distance carrier.

Line Noise

The quality of your connection in other countries will vary. Sometimes the hotel phones will screen out line noise; if not, you'll need a line filter. If the noise is disruptive, try connecting at a lower speed or working late at night when fewer people use the network. Some modem software filters out meter pulsing (annoying electric pulses created by the government or phone company to disrupt your connection). If it fails it could indicate your modem model is illegal in the country you're visiting.

Legality of Modem Models in certain Countries

Certain countries have outlawed specific modem models, and in some countries it is illegal to make any kind of direct connection to the telephone system. If your modem model is illegal you may experience metering pulses on your line that prevent a clean connection. Modem companies are making an effort to release widely-approved models, but, again, call ahead and ask if any models are unauthorized.

Outrageous Fees

You may achieve a flawless modem connection only to find that your time on-line cost half your night's stay at the hotel. Hotels calls are typically double to triple the amount of a regular phone call. You can avoid some of the charge by using a phone card, but expect to pay an access fee. Always dial the closest point of connection possible.

Tips

To test the line connection and make sure the modem picks up, dial the remote modem before you begin your setup. If it picks up, but you have difficulty making a connection via modem, you can start troubleshooting.

 Air Travel Tips

Airline magazines are losing readers by the thousands as travelers break out their laptops instead of reading the fascinating article about the seventeen greatest golf courses in the greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area. You can get work done, play a rousing game of Tetris^TM, or hook up on-line, whether it be to check with the office or on the latest box scores. You can even plan your next trip or your return flight--by tapping into the dozens of on-line resourcesthat provide flight schedules, bargain fares, trip maps, weather forecasts, currency exchange rates, and more.

Most in-flight phones come with a separate data jack to hook up your modem, though the connection speed may be slower than what you're used to (American Airlines, for example, recommends 4800bps). There are also facilities at most airports to help you put the finishing touches on your work. Frequent-flier clubs and first- and business-class lounges often have fax machines and printer ports--some even have PC's available. One-day passes to these clubs are often available if you're not a regular member. Some airports will soon have terminals available where you can check your e-mail.

When you're traveling, just remember that the size and value of your laptop makes it a prime target for thieves. Know where your computer is at all times. The most common theft schemes in airports rely on distraction.

The X-ray machines at security checks are generally computer-safe. If you have a question, ask the airline--they own and manage the machines. To be completely safe, ask that your laptop be checked by hand. This will also prevent it from being whisked away if you get stopped at the metal detector.

One important safety note: The use of laptop computers can interfere with navigation systems. Some airlines forbid laptop use during the flight; others bar their operation during takeoff and landing. To be safe, ask your flight attendant before booting up.

AV Hookup

To make a big splash with your presentation you may want to project onto a big space. For a large group, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panels and projectors are the projection tools of choice. An LCD panel sits atop a traditional overhead projector and relies on it for illumination. The LCD projector hooks directly to your computer and casts the image from your monitor on to a wall or screen. They differ in price, brightness, and portability. How you configure your computer also affects the image you get from your projection device. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Resolution

Until recently, 640 x 480dpi has been the standard resolution for LCD screens and projectors. Now some computer software defaults to 800 x 600. The increased resolution capacity is good news, just make sure computer resolution is set in accordance with the projector capability. An image in 640x480 will look fine on a higher resolution screen, but the compression involved in the reverse process creates jagged images.

For screens or monitors used in a presentation, there's no contest between passive and active matrix systems. Active matrix screens have better contrast and more lively color. They are also compatible with video--passive matrices are not. The passive matrix screen's advantage?

Brightness

LCD panels are lit from beneath by overhead projectors. The problem is they absorb about 90% of the projector's light. If the overhead projector is weak, you can be left with a dark screen in a dark room. 3000 lumens is the minimum light power you should use with an LCD screen. Most standard overhead projectors found in offices, schools, and hotels, on the other hand, have less than 1200 lumens. Even on an overhead of 4000 lumens, an LCD screen is darker than a standard slide projector.

Portability

An LCD projector is generally twice as heavy as an LCD screen. Arguments in favor of the LCD screen's portability come into question when you consider that you always need to bring an overhead projector. The typical overhead projector weighs around 20 lbs. The lightest LCD projector on the market today weighs approximately 13 lbs.

Carrying too many power adapters?

With today's electronic oriented executives carrying an array of voice and data processing equipment as required "tools of the trade", a problem often encountered is what power supplying and recharging apparatus should be carried. A most recent trip to a trade show had me carrying a power supply for my notebook, separate power supply for my CD-ROM, 12 volt power supply for my cellular phone, cellular phone battery charger with its integrated power supply, two standard AC to power supply cords and a surge strip. This support equipment for my required road voice and data systems weighed in excess of eight lbs, almost that of an additional mobile computing host. Most power supplies of this kind are of the "brick nature" with dangling cords, also being disorderly to store in a carry-on bag.

Solution

A versatile and light universal DC power supply along with the "Power 2 Go" CD to AC Inverter and a surge strip provided appropriate DC power from any vehicle, allowed me to charge the cellular batteries and eliminated approx. five lbs from my travel case.

You're only as strong as your weakest link!

You're real investment is your data. Mobile computing hosts are the newest target for crime (See Wall Street Journal, June 96) and are lost, stolen or need service many times more often than their desktop counterparts. Plus with the rapid rate new technology becomes available, especially CPU and bus architecture, internal expansion in a host is not a good investment (remember your XT, 286, 386, etc. and all the stuff you bought for them). Investment in industry standard SCSI peripherals continues to be prudent, we are still using our first portable SCSI drives purchased in 1989 as imaging mass storage when we use scanners in the field.

Although back-up solutions exist, try to execute your contact manager from the tape someone overnighted you from your office. Data integrity has long been an Information System problem and the demands that real world environments (like our typical July in Phoenix with today's 112 F. at 2:00PM) place on these systems makes it all the more critical.

Solution

Mirror your mobile host prior to departing on these treacherous summer endeavors with the ShareStore CD Recording Solution. Also in the event of a catastrophic loss, (My dog ate my laptop!) any host (with the same operating system) with a standard CD-ROM reader will suffice.

In the future "Road Warriors" will be concerned with carrying the appropriate data at all times, not the systems to access it. When asked at a recent mobile computing technology seminar where my large host bag was, I confidently replied "I don't carry anything over one lb any longer" as I displayed the 600MB of technical information I had brought on a recorded CD-ROM in my suit coat pocket. Preserve your data and your investment with industry standard SCSI peripherals like the ShareStore. This way you are assured you will not buy obsolete technology. Most inexpensive peripherals are based on proprietary IDE interface. IDE technology is engineered only for the specific peripheral the interface came with, it is not universally compatible. If you require another peripheral (another hard drive or tape drive) it will require another IDE interface. Recently an IDE standard was defined called IDE/ATAPI in hope of eliminating these incompatibilities. IDE/ATAPI is not backwards compatible, if you buy a new ATAPI drive you will also have to buy a new ATAPI interface as well. all of which will not work with your old IDE peripherals. Try to read from a proprietary parallel port CD-ROM and write to a proprietary parallel port hard drive, after making a temp. directory on your local drive (if space exists), recabeling and rebooting, this process takes several minutes. The SCSI solution has you seeing any and all devices at any time (under different drive letters).

PCCards - In purchasing your mobile computing modems, audio and I/O options, ensure that your choice in PCCards does not have a glued cover case. These cards are very common and often have a plastic card body. Not only can these covers be peeled off, the plastic body is very temperature sensitive (In Phoenix we have seen them last only days), and flimsy. As John Divorak stated in PC Magazine, May 2, 1994 "Delicate connectors don't work for mobile computing". In considering the purchase of these expensive devices (28.8KB/s. modems and LAN cards can cost in excess of $200) do not be afraid to bang it on the counter. (If the sales person looks at you oddly, reply that you do not live inside a padded computer case, it's a tough world out there.) Our experience shows it's best to keep these cards in the host as much as possible so integrate your mobile computing solutions to have everything you need connected and in its socket at all times. (Having to eject your modem to access your LAN or CD-ROM drive spells trouble).

Wasting Even More Money?

Recent trends from leading notebook computer vendors are showing docking stations to be a poor investment. Most only allow for expansion of a specific type and brand of notebook computer. They generally will not allow your desktop computer to access your expensive peripherals. When you upgrade your notebook, chances are you will have to upgrade your docking station (along with your expensive peripherals).

Solution:

Multiple Hosting with your PortaSCSI "SCSI cable plus and integrated SCSI controller". Portable Peripherals like CD-ROM drives, etc. - In purchasing external and mobile peripherals like CD-ROM drives, etc.. DO NOT ALLOW IT TO BE POWERED FROM THE HOST VIA THE PCCARD INTERFACE. Although there are many of these type peripherals available they require 5 volts and have been engineered with a short sighted approach. The new mobile hosts (laptops) have a new modern PCI bus (opposed to the older ISA bus) and are fitted with modern low voltage Pentium processors. In order to maximize battery life, these hosts use the 2.9 volt flavor of the processor and the boards and LCD screens are engineered to work at 3.3 volts. The PCCard sockets are also changing (CardBus 32 bit matching PCI Bus) to match these low voltage systems. The future sockets will only supply 3.3 volts and these peripherals simply will not work in the future laptop computers.

Portable Ports - In purchasing your mobile host, ensure that your choice has a serial port with a 16550 UART and a high-speed enhanced parallel port (EPP/ECP to IEE 1284 spec.). Notebook computers do not have the same expansion capabilities as desktop computers, therefore, you are more likely to connect peripherals to your notebook by using its parallel or serial ports, this type of enhanced port will give you maximum data-transfer rates.

LCD Care - The LCD screen is one of the most fragile and expensive components of your notebook computer. A sturdy case with a plastic or metal shield will protect the screen from punctures. With IBM's new Thinkpad 560 subnotebook, with its 12.1 inch TFT screen was so large that IBM had to re-engineer the computer distributing weight in the bottom to keep it from tipping over. Store your notebook where temperatures do not drop below freezing, since bubbles may form in the crystal below this temperature. Be careful when cleaning your LCD screen, as water may accumulate and corrode the display's electrodes.

Conserve Power - Conserve the life of your battery by avoiding reading and writing to the floppy drive. Although the floppy drive usually requires less power than the hard drive, it takes longer to spin up. Ensure PC Cards that are not being used are removed. Keep your brightness low, since your display also drains power. Also it's reported that internal CD-ROM drives in notebook computers are real power hogs.

Additional Battery Power - When you travel, bring along a fully charged backup battery. Although this may be inconvenient, it's great insurance when power is needed. Use the AC adapter whenever possible. Most Airline lounges have outlets for their maintenance personnel, so use them.

Encryption - You should encrypt any sensitive data that must remain on your hard drive. Encrypted data can be freely sent over the Internet; however, in some countries some archaic laws still remain in effect with regards to the import and export of encryption software.

Protect your Password - If your data can't be encrypted make sure you password-protect your machine by setting up a password in CMOS, unfortunately this technique can easily be circumvented.

Fax Mailbox - Receiving faxes at hotels can be expensive and unreliable. If you use a fax mailbox, you can dial it up with your modem and download waiting faxes as you would any file. Some services, such as SkyTel's 800 SkyFAX will beep when a fax comes in and allow you to download faxes, access public/private mailboxes, and forward faxes to other telephone numbers.

Cellular 'Roam' - Choose a cellular service provider that provides nationwide automatic call delivery throughout a large part of the country - especially if you visit a variety of cities frequently. Know your cellular service provider's policy on roaming, especially if you travel frequently with your phone. The bigger the 'home' area, the better. If you frequently travel to one city and make many cellular calls there, it may be cheaper to open an account with a cellular provider in that area.

Laptop Light - When using a monochrome laptop aboard a plane during the day, reserve a window seat. The natural ambient light will better illuminate the LCD, and you may even be able to turn off the backlight to conserve battery life. Whatever type of laptop you use, always request a window seat. You'll have more privacy and will not be disrupted when others on your row get up.

Screen visibility - Keep in mind that laptop LCD screens are now so good that people around you will probably be able to read what you are working on. If you are working on sensitive material, privacy screens are available.

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