Words To Live By

I found this post on Cool Tools, a great useful gadget blog. It is a recommendation for the book "Moving Heavy Things". The precept quoted below strikes me as THE guide line for moving house, as I just did, or packing for a trip. Definitely an argument for roller over duffel bags.

Precept Five: Applied Sloth
As stated in the stagehand's axiom: "Never lift what you can drag, never drag what you can roll, never roll what you can leave." Creativity germinates in indolence, and the cleverest people are often the laziest: they are always looking for an easier way. The easiest way is often the simplest, most direct, and the best way.

Cool Tool: Moving Heavy Things

Sleek Aluminum Roller Case

Here is what I would use as the side table for the "Chair" in the previous post, when I wasn't chic-ly cavorting about the country with it.

Polycarbonate Expandable Zeroller - It comes in Black, Red or Silver, in sizes from 19"-29"

Polycarbonate Specific Features In creating the new Polycarbonate collection, Zero Halliburton was inspired by the contemporary design objective of providing lightweight, protective, flexible luggage with the level of functionality expected from a bag designed for today's frequent traveler. Features include: Removable Garment Carrier Stain resistant fabric Numerous interior pockets Laundry Bag Removable wet pocket Tie down straps Center Divider TSA Locks Multiple colored ID options Long lasting, highly durable wheels and trolley system Lifetime Warranty

the polycarbonate expandable zeroller

Chair or Luggage?

This post is less about being portable and more about looking portable. If there was ever a chair to give you the feeling of travel while staying home - this is it. It reminds me so much of those ZERO Halliburton aluminum briefcases I used to lust after.

Design - Chairs - Furniture

Daniel Stier The aluminum 'suitcase' version of the chair at a train station. (photo courtesy of NYtimes)

Naoto Fukasawa's design, called Chair, embodies his notion of objects "dissolving" into their environments. The sight of travelers perching wearily on their rolling luggage inspired the witty aluminum-clad "suitcase" chair, while the idea of a bale of hay becoming an impromptu seat resulted in the hay chair. Other versions of Chair are made of clear acrylic, marble, felt, wood and polyurethane, each one of which evokes an entirely different feeling. The prices, though not yet set, promise to be anything but dissolving. But then good things come in small quantities.

How to Buy a Cheap Airline Ticket in First Class

Great tip, courtesy of Daily Candy yesterday. I fly quite often, and I have never heard of this. Totally worth a look at FareCompare or more info. Who would pass up a chance for first class?

Step-By-Step Guide:

"These discount first class tickets are the airline industry's best-kept secret. Called Y-Ups, they price like a coach ticket, they look like a coach ticket, but when you sit down, you are one seat behind the pilot -- and they serve warm cookies.

FareCompare.com is the only web site that tracks over 100,000 of these confirmed discounted first class airfares. Y-Up airfares are intentionally published by the airlines to look exactly like a coach ticket, but the seats are allocated in the first class cabin. This sneaky little trick allows corporate travelers to legitimately & inexpensively get around their "No First Class Travel" policy.

Y-Up airfares are deeply discounted first class airline tickets available for travel within/between the United States and Canada. They do NOT apply to international coach, business or first class air travel.

How to Buy a Cheap Airline Ticket in First Class

Top 10 Discount First Class Airline Ticket Tips

• Seat inventory for Y-Up airfares is almost always available -- even on full flights, peak days and times (Mondays, Fridays, Sundays, Holidays) or last-minute trips.
• Frequent corporate travelers have the most to gain from Y-Up airfares. For the same or cheaper price than they are paying for refundable and last minute coach tickets, they get a confirmed first class cabin seat BEFORE frequent fliers are automatically upgraded. You don't have to compete against the 60 road warriors that are vying for upgrades to 10 first class seats when you purchase a Y-Up.
• Most airline and travel agents don't know about Y-Up airfares. You should ask for Y-Up airfares by name as most agents are not trained to offer these even though they may be cheaper.
• Most "self-serve" corporate booking tools do not check for Y-Up airfares. You will need to call your corporate agent and ask for them specifically.
• Most Y-Up airfares are one-way. If you miss your flight be sure and ask the airline ticket agent to check for a Y-Up. Many times the Y-Up first class airline ticket will be cheaper than the walk-up coach ticket for the flight replacing the one you missed.
• In many cases Y-Up airfares are refundable and are always exchangeable.
• If there is a super cheap Y-Up airfare, it is normally due to a promotion or an airline attempting to match a smaller competitor that has first class cabin seating on the same route.
• Make sure the planes on your itinerary have a first class cabin. You may end up on a regional jet on a segment of your journey that does not have a first class cabin.
• Y-Up airfares are great for special occasions and in some cases are a better deal than using your frequent flyer miles for a first class seat (honeymoons, anniversaries, ...)
• Y-Up airfares are booked in the first class cabin; you will get frequent flyer mileage based on buying a first class ticket (usually 2 times the mileage award of a coach ticket)."

DO Drink the Water

SteriPEN
Pocket water purifier

"I took a SteriPEN to Africa for 3 months this summer and the verdict is in: it's the best water purifier you can carry without a tractor-trailer. It's basically a UV ray flashlight you submerge into your glass. The water stays cool and it doesn't change the water, except to kill all the living things in it, viruses included. It is expensive,

but pays for itself quickly, as you don't have to buy bottled water. On my trip, often when I asked a waiter for a glass of tap water, my request would elicit a smile or a laugh. In some cases, they simply would not bring me a glass of water. Most of the time, though, I convinced them -- and then, to their amazement, I would take out the SteriPEN, push a button, and stir the water with the glowing purple UV light that always brought stares from other diners. After less than 60 seconds, I would take out the SteriPEN and drink the water, occasionally hearing gasps from other tables. Then I'd mention that UV light is how certain towns and companies now sterilize water."

-- David Siegel

SteriPEN
$125
Available from Amazon

This is such a great idea, with a high level of portability and low level of fuss. My problem would be the sheer amount of water I drink, and having to continually refill and repurify. If this would work for a bottle of water, it would be perfect, but I am assuming it would have to be a lot longer, and then I guess then it wouldn't be so portable? How great this would be for hiking though!

DAVEK Umbrella -The Last Umbrella You'll Need

OH MY GOSH! I fell for this 'brell' the moment I laid eyes on it in the New York Times Sunday Styles section last weekend. My pulse quickened as I couldn't stop myself from ordering one even before I posted it. It represents everything that makes me a gadget freak: high-tech materials, supreme functionality, sweet, sleek, beautiful design, and extreme portability. Sure its spendy, at $95 for the solo version, but can you put a price on love-at-first-sight? Besides, this relationship has a life time warranty.

Its the last umbrella you'll need . . . if you don't leave it in a cab.

DAVEK Umbrella - Davek Solo

Davek SOLO™ The Davek Solo features our unique carbon WindFlex Frame™ System and automatic-open and automatic-close button system. With its sturdy frame construction and distinctive design, the Solo is the perfect combination of durability and metropolitan style. The canopy is constructed of 190 thread count nylon (the most tightly woven available) to offer maximum protection from precipitation. The gorgeous handle features a convenient clip to attach to your belt or hold in place within a bag. Coverage arc diameter is a comfortable 43". Closed Length is compact at 11.75". Click to enlarge

COLORS Classic All-Black Black/ Pale Blue Black/ Wasabi Green Black/ Pale Yellow (available on 9/28)

A Moment of Reflection

Having witnessed the attack on 9-11 first hand, I really appreciated this thoughtful post and photo from Sherry at Geeky Traveller.

A break from travel gadgetry
by Sherry on September 11th, 2007

"I tried very hard to make myself post something about a cool gadget to make travel fun or a nifty site to make vacation planning easier, but I kept looking at the date on the calendar hanging on the wall beside me, and I can't do it today.

Instead I'd like to offer up a moment of silence for everyone who lost their lives this day six years ago. I will never forget."

Mindmap Software for Phones

For all you right-brained creatives out there who use mindmaps to organize your grocery list/presentations/IPO, you'll be pleased to know that they are now offered in in a pocketable form.



Pocket Mindmap Features
The mindmap below and the list describes the most important features of Pocket Mindmap. (You can download this map from the download area.)

The topic with the title "Attribute" is a maplink to the map below. In Pocket Mindmap you can switch to this map by simply tapping the red arrow.

(

As you can see, you can drill down several levels, instead of having all the details on the same pagel. This makes better use of the smaller phone/PDA screen. (all photos courtesy of Mindmaps.com)

Eagle Creek Packing List

Stumbled across this great packing list+, on the Eagle Creek website.
They have a lot of good traveler's information there. If you follow the link to their site, you can download the pdf version which includes the sweet little check boxes for each item. Yes!

Eagle Creek Traveler's Checklist

The following list is not meant to cover every travel situation, but merely to serve as a reminder of the items that many people take on trips. Nor is it meant as a litany of recommended travel items. When was the last time you kicked yourself for not bringing the sink stopper? This list is compiled from correspondences with our customers.

Printer friendly version

Pre Departure • Passport • Visa • Health Documentation • Transportation Tickets • Frequent Flyer Cards • Emergency Information • Insurance • Hotel Reservations • Traveler's Checks • Currency • Credit Cards • Guide Books and Maps • Trip Cancellation/ Medical Insurance • Personal Identification • Copies of Airline Tickets & Passport • Special Event Reservations Travel Gear • Main Travel Bag (Travel Pack/ Duffle Bag/ Luggage) • Packing Accessories (for clothes, small stuff and toiletries) • Security (Passport Carrier/ Locks/ Luggage Tags) • Document Organizer • Everyday Bag

Everyday Basics • Travel Clothing • Raincoat/ Umbrella • Travel Footwear • Visor or Brimmed Hat • Camera, Lenses, Film • Radiation Shield for Film • Video Camera, Tapes • Binoculars • CD/ Cassette Player • Electric/ Phone Converters • Travel Alarm • Language Books • Reading Materials • Address Book • Travel Journal • Pen/Pencil • Scarf/ Bandana • Games/ Playing Cards • Snacks • Water Bottle • Hand Sanitizer/ Towlettes • Travel Neck Pillow • Eye Shade/ Ear Plugs • Portable Door Lock • Tissues/ Toilet Paper • Keys

Maintenance Items • Flashlight Batteries/ Bulb • Matches or Lighter • Extra Batteries • Sewing/ Repair Kit • Duct Tape • Travel Iron or Steamer • Sink Stopper for Hotel Sinks • Zip-close Plastic Bags Travel Health • Travel Health Booklet • Pain Reliever/ Aspirin • Cold Medicines • Contact Lens Items • Diarrhea Medicine • Laxative • Insect Protection • Sun Protection • Sunburn Relief • Antibiotic Cream • Malaria Medication • Motion Sickness Medicine • Personal Hygiene Items • Personal Prescription

Home Checklist • Stop deliveries • Have Post Office hold mail • Arrange care for pets, lawn and plants • Set-up a timed lighting system • Notify local police of absence • Leave house key and trip itinerary with a neighbor • Empty refrigerator • Eliminate possible fire hazards (unplug appliances, etc.) • Turn down thermostat • Turn off water heater • Store valuables in a safe place • Lock all doors and windows • Reconfirm with airlines

Toiletries • Comb / Brush • Toothbrush / Paste • Dental Floss • Deodorant • Soap-Personal & Laundry • Skin Care Lotion / Creams • Make up • Mirror • Manicure Articles • Hair Care • Sunscreen / Lipbalm • Razors / Shaving Cream • Hair Dryer • Towel / Washcloth • Travel Bottles (for shampoo & laundry soap)

Samsung YP-U3 - the Next Great Mini Music Player?

I have been running for some time now with my Samsung YP-Z5 mini music player (MMP) and my Sennheiser MX75 Twist-to-Fit earphones, and been very happy with the set-up, so much so that I use it for traveling and everything else. Its a very compact player with decent battery life, very nice colorful little screen, and controls that are very easy to work without looking at the device. But lately I have noticed a bleed in the lower corner of the screen, and at times, after a long run, the player does nto respond to the pressing of the buttons. I think sweat and rain are getting the best of it, and I realized it is time to start looking for a new MMP, so I am ready when this one gives out.

I could just get another YP-Z5, but what's the fun in that? There has to be some NEW, BETTER, SMALLER gadget to try. That is just what I came upon this morning. With four and a half circles and an "Editors Choice" badge at PC Magazine, it has to be good, right? Plus I am a sucker for the USB easy connect. One less cord means one step closer to a gadgetraveler's nirvana.

Cheap MP3 Players 101 - Samsung YP-U3 - Review by PC Magazine
By Tim Gideon

Samsung's slick new flash player is well-designed, tiny, and easy to use.

Tiny. Bright screen with cool graphics. Easy navigation. Great FM radio and recording features. Voice recording. Flat, touch sensitive buttons.

Easy to accidentally trigger buttons. Earbuds are so-so. Mediocre battery life. No FM recording.

$75.00-80.00

Samsung YP-U3 (photos coutesy of PCmag.com) Player Type: Flash MP3 Player Radio: Yes Recording, Voice: Yes Recording, Line In: No Video Recording: No Music Playback Formats: MP3, WAV, WMA Audio Battery Life: 12.05 Hr Screen Size: 1.8 inches Storage Capacity: 2 GB Dimensions: 3.15 x 1.0 x 0.8 inches Weight: 0.8 oz

Bag Organizer Insert from Pursesitter

PurseIn is thoughtful bag organizer that looks like it can really keep your gadgets well organized. It uses the same idea as the Butler Bag, namely, compartmentalization. this one looks big enough to hold a travel guide, smartphone/PDA, sunglasses, and water bottle, some of the larger items that previous organizational inserts I've tried have not accommodated. It would also be great for gadet/cable/charger storage when traveling.

PurseIn - The smart Purse Organizer available in 5 Fun Colors Holds all your daily necessities 11 Pockets in various sizes that will keep all your items neat and handy PurseIn will fit nicely inside your bag and is easily transferable to another handbag to match your outfit PurseIn If you are sick and tired of ransacking through your purse for your wallet, keys, lip gloss, check book, parking ticket or cell phone for that important phone call, PurseIn is the ideal purse organizer for you. This clever and sturdy purse organizer has eleven pockets in various sizes that will fit all your life's essentials and it even has a handy clip for your keys. There's a place for everything and you will know exactly where your things are. Best of all, if you like to swap your handbag to match your outfit, simply lift the PurseIn Organizer out of your current purse and the entire contents can be easily transferred to your next bag. Simple, quick and easy and you will never forget any of your essential items again! No more dumping everything out of your bag to find anything. Order a PurseIn today and let it keep the little things in your bag neat and tidy for you! Material: 100% Nylon. Dimensions: 11.5" X 9.5" X 5" 30cm X 24cm X 13cm Available Colors: