Smallwheels

I'm using the same two computers I was using when this thread was created. One is a 2008 Mac Book. It is mostly idle these days. The other is a 2009 HP desktop running GNU. I hate Windoz and purged it from the HP in 2013 because it kept crashing. I bought a flip phone for my new business. I don't intend to use it very often. Mostly I'll use Skype for all of my outgoing calls.

Technology has helped me to sell many items via the internet. It helps me to shop and to learn the value of things I want to sell.

Roody

I haven't used a computer in 18 months, except for work. Just my iPad. I don't make many phone calls or write many emails either. I keep in touch more with text and video messaging.

Machka 

And how does that help you live car light?

Roody

It probably doesn't. Why do you ask?

Machka 

That's the topic of this thread. Using technology to live lite ... especially car light.

We can all talk about what technology we have or don't have in our homes ... but how does that technology assist a car-free or car-light lifestyle?


I gave the examples of the candy thermometer and house hunting in Post 38.

cooker

In terms of living lighter, I carry much less work-related stuff on my bike, or in a briefcase on the transit system, than I used to. I always have some backlogged "paperwork" that somebody is rightly nagging me to complete, but it's all available to work on remotely, and stuff I want or need to read for work is mostly electronic now too. If I'm on the transit I may review stuff on a tablet, or check emails on my phone, etc. I don't bother with a briefcase most days - maybe just a plastic bag for my tablet if it might rain.

When I travel out of town for work I take a laptop, as I need the physical keyboard to be productive. But again, any documents or reference texts I might need to refer to are either copied to the laptop or available remotely.

I have a transit app on my phone but it hasn't made too much difference, as I commute on fairly frequently served routes

Machka 

And we're sitting here surrounded by a collection of new cycling stuff.

But in addition to that, we're in the process of acquiring new bicycles, and have been doing that via email. We will eventually have to turn up in person, but it's great that we can communicate so quickly and easily.

Another example ... we want new handlebar bags. We would like a particular one but couldn't find it on the website ... a few quick messages with people in the know, and we now know that handlebar bag is not available anymore. A few more messages, and we've got a list of places to check when we arrive in Canada for alternatives.

Machka 

Another place where technology comes in handy is with the library. From the comfort of home, I can search for books, put them on hold, and renew books I have out. I do have to go to the library from time to time to get and return the books, and I can quite easily walk to do that, but if a book comes due and for some reason I can't make it to the library just then, I can deal with the situation in a matter of minutes online.

Roody

I just get e-books from the library now. I dont even have to leave my house to get the books. I can carry hundreds of books in a tablet thats lighter than one paperback. I can have an unlimited number of books if I store them with a cloud service.

Machka 

I like real books.

cooker

I guess the bicycle itself is a good example of technology helping you live light. Don't need a horse and carriage to go anywhere.

I-Like-To-Bike

I am currently reading three real books.
I am listening to The Redbreast by Jo Nesbø on my mp3 player while I ride;
I am reading on my Kindle at home Misguided Weapons: Technological Failure and Surprise on the Battlefield by Azriel Lorber
I am reading in hardback at home The Devil's Candy by Julie Salamon.

Next up for plane travel is The Executioners (AKA Cape Fear) by John D MacDonald. I have it in both Kindle and paperback format and will read it whichever real format is convenient.

Roody

So do I. But I read a lot, and carrying around a ton of books, magazines and newspapers is something I can do without.

Smallwheels

Last month I learned about a tablet sold on Newegg. It runs Android and has a micro SD card slot for storing more data. This appeals to me because it doesn't limit me to just 16 or 32 gigabytes. It also has a stylus for drawing. The only downside is the screen isn't as great as the Nexus 7 by Google. Recently I learned how wonderful AMOLED screens are compared to LCD backlit displays. It seems nobody makes the tablet that I want to buy, yet.

Reading on a screen would be so much better than holding a book. Turning pages is easier and the text always stays flat instead of curving around the form of the book. If a tablet has good color for photos and illustrations then it would seem to me to be a better way to experience content, especially if I could keep a whole library on one device.

Machka 

Yes!

Roody

yeah, another good thing about tablets is that they adapt to your eyesight as you get older! They can also be read in the dark, which is something I need to do sometimes. The display on an ipad is much clearer than displays on most monitors for laptops and deskyops.

My iPad died today. So I'm back to the old fashioned technology until I can get it fixed.

Ekdog

I love my Kindle Paper White. It has allowed me to get rid of dozens of books that were cluttering up our flat, and the reading experience is great.

I-Like-To-Bike

I bought a Kindle Paper White for my wife. She loves it and reads 2 or 3 real books on it every week. All the books on it are free from the library.

Ekdog

Refurbished ones can be had, today only, at a bargain basement price:

You Can Buy a Kindle Paperwhite Today For Just $85

Smallwheels

I'm very interested to know why it died. When you learn the cause please post the reason here.

enigmaT120

I get books from the library, and have an ap called DroidTV that I can use to download TV shows. I have about 25 gig of music on the tablet, too. I mostly use it when riding the bus after my bike commute to the bus yard. The tablet is a Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 from Costco, wifi only.

gerv 

I use an Android phone to read. I use it to read on the bus or anywhere I have to wait. I rarely read at home these days... except for a paper edition of the New Yorker.

I have the Kindle app on the phone and have downloaded a few titles. Like others, I find the backlit display a big help for my ailing eyesight...

My big problem with the phone is that I spend most of my time on Facebook or other online diversions. I don't have a data plan, but I always seem to find a wifi and there's no end to the amusement on FB.

ro-monster

If things like this matter to you, you might want to do some research about Amazon before you buy a Kindle. They are notorious for abusive treatment of their warehouse workers. I won't buy anything from them because I think it's unethical to support those practices.

Roody

It won't charge. I'm guessing it's the battery. I'll try to remember to let you know when I find out for sure.

tandempower

Kindle's e-ink is a huge advance for outdoor computing because the screen gets brighter with sunlight instead of getting relatively dimmer and reflecting a glare. Unfortunately, Kindle has this policy of limiting browser capability to prevent kids from using it for surfing the web instead of reading. While I can understand the need to prevent kids from abusing electronic media, I wish Kindle would allow adults to unlock full browser capability so that we could use these things for outdoor computing.