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Mobile computing without power
By Trishus | August 12, 2008
Studying my Masters of Arts/Masters of IT online with a laptop, a mobile phone, in a cottage in the forest without power would have been unthinkable of before mobile computing made it possible.
Extra tools: a car, a car phone charger, a 100w 12 – 240V inverter that plugs into my car’s cigarette lighter… and a resource center 4km down the road with internet that is open two days a week.
Can it be done? - Adapting to the constraints of remote mobile computing:
Constraint 1 - download limits and expense
My internet is through my mobile phone on the Telstra next G network with a measly 300 MB per month data plan (with 1GB costing almost $90) but in my remote location this is my only option except for a satellite contection and that doesn’t gel with my mobile way of life. Downloading 3 video lectures would chew up my limit.
Adaptation: Connect to the internet though the local resource center’s wired internet once or twice a week and download/hoard information from the Uni site. My laptop can then access course information as a stand alone computer or on the ne
t through next G wireless but with all the large files being accessed locally from my computer. Use of an email client and a computer based RSS reader assist with hoarding information.
Constraint 2 - connecting to the internet.
Once my laptop is connected to the internet via bluetooth connection with my next G mobile, it seems to be reasonably fast and reliable. But the signal sometimes drops out and connection is resumed minutes later. Often connecting can take 5 or 6 attempts to get on to the net. Sometimes a connection can not be made for and hour or so.
Adaptation: At this point - patience. Time to make a cup of tea?
Constrain 3 - Power
My laptop battery lasts for 3 hours and my mobile lasts only 1or 2 hours as a modem.
Adaptation: Charge phone and laptop in the car. Distribute my resources to other devices - ie: Lectures to my ipod, print reading material.
While it is possible to work this way, I am looking forward to getting my solar power system up and running.
Mobile Computing - tut - chapter one