abs197
newbie
Posts: 2

#1 Posted: 1/9/2008 - 16:49


Hi,

I am heading out to Cambodia in Ocober, where I am going to be doing some volunteer work for 6 months (in Kep, and PP). I am then planning on traveling around SE Asia for 3-4months.

I would like to take a laptop with me, the type of volunteer work I am doing, it will be helpful to be able to have internet access for some research work, and also just for the usual email, uploading photos, skype etc. I am planning on buying a small netbook type laptop so it is not heavy or cumbersome to travel with.

However, I know that I probably could get by without one and use internet cafes, but I just think it'd be alot easier and more practical if I had my own...

I don't think it will be a problem security wise when I am doing the volunteer work, it is when Im travelling that I'm worried about, and I prob wont want to always take it on day trips/going out to a restaurant/bar at night (even though it is light) but is it ok to leave in a hotel?...

Or is it a stupid idea and I should just use cafes?

Any advice on this (I know there will probably be some conflicting views) would be much appreciated...

(Also if anyone has any advice on which travel laptop to buy that'd be great - I am looking at either the Asus eee PC 900, or Advent 4211)

Many Thanks,

Abbey

sirhalberd
hippy
Posts: 77

#2 Posted: 13/10/2008 - 10:50


Normally I would advise against taking a laptop on a simple holiday or vacation because it is pretty easy to find an internet shop and they are pretty cheap.

You do have some security issues when you use cheap hostels and especially dorms. I think a fellow tourist would rip you off first! Even in hotels with security box storage most of the time the box is too small to fit a laptop.

If the laptop is primarily for storing photos you might get by with an external hard drive.

But you will be working in a mostly secure place for 6 months so it would probably be okay to take the laptop. It is the hotel/hostel portion of your later trip that is the problem. After the six months is up you could ship your computer home, or perhaps you could sell it off! Laptops get better and every year, by the time you finish your first 6 months your laptop will be a couple models older. You might even be taking an old laptop with you anyway right from the start! Even at home I use the password protection on my computers.

I bring a Flash Drive with Firefox and Opera on it. Also, notepad and ClamWin anti virus. All are free apps that you can download to the FD.

The Firefox browser has all of the same bookmarks of my home computer, same saves on the toolbar, same layout as my Mac at home. When I plug that flash drive into an internet computer it is almost like having my own computer with me. I use the Opera browser for research and play my hometown radio station while I surf or write posts or something using FF. Notepad is what I use to first write passwords to and then cut and paste them to any bank websites I have to access. Not a perfect security system but cutting and pasting is a little safer than not at all! I also have some data on the Notepad stickie that I often refer to. I use the ClamWin anti virus to check the FD every now and then to check for viruses.

I use password protection on the FD in case someone gets it and tries to use it. This works for me for now. Flash Drives and portable hard drives fit easily into safety boxes in hotels. Easier to lock them in a suitcase or bag, or carry them in your pocket. But there are smaller laptops being sold every day, making it easier to carry them if necessary and not sweat out losing your computer to a bunk mate in a dorm. I don't think that they are reliable enough for me right now - perhaps next year - smallest ones have no hard drive either.

Have a nice trip. This post is probably too late but I was bored tonight.

Hal