I am back from vacation, and it was amazing. To think that less than a week ago, I was wearing shorts. And now I am back home with a foot and a half of snow outside. Is this a great country or what?
Anyway, it’s back to work and back to blogging. I have a new toy…I mean tool… to work with and share. It definitely helps with networking on the go, so I’m still on topic.
During my fight with Verizon a couple of weeks ago, I discovered that I am very productive in coffee houses. I was getting more done there in a couple of hours than I was at my home office. Which finally gave me the excuse the buy the netbook I have been lusting after for more than a year.
I decided on the Toshiba NB205. Why that one? My research indicated that Acer and Toshiba have the most reliable netbooks. And the Toshiba had much better battery life than the Acer. It’s rated for 9 hours. I’m not getting that, but I’m getting good life. I bought it on Friday, and I’ve charged it twice. The initial charge and one other. Definitely need to charge it today, but this has been good. Battery life is important since the Panera I spend the most time at has two power outlets. What were they thinking?
It’s definitely slower than my laptop, but it’s getting the job done. Operating system is Windows 7 Starter, and I discovered one major downside. I thought I had done my research well, but somehow I missed the “can’t run more than 3 programs at the same time” limitation. This is a bummer since my usual work lineup is Firefox, Thunderbird, Tweetdeck, iTunes and Open Office. iTunes is the obvious casualty (my iPhone can cover the music angle). Email or Tweetdeck will go when I need to use Open Office. I can live.
The keyboard was the other reason I got this one. Very comfortable. The keys are large with good spacing between them. Even my husband and his huge fingers can type comfortably on them.
I still have a program or two to install, but I’ve got the important ones loaded and running well. As I work now, I have Tweetdeck bringing in important stuff, like my 4:30 appointment DMing me to reschedule. My blog is almost done. Life is good. Tomorrow I will finally leave the house with it, and provided it survives two clients drooling over it, I think we are in business!
Tags: networking on the go
Very good point in continuously looking for ways to be more productive. The fact that you realize you’re better off out of the house justifies your purchase.
Sorry to hear that you can only run 3 things at a time. But it forces you to prioritize and for other folks, maybe this kind of limitation makes them more productive and efficient.
I am looking at the 3 program limitation as a good reason to close down distractions like Tweetdeck and email when I am really cranking on something.
The small screen does provide a few challenges as well. I thought I lived and died by my browser toolbars. Now I am finding that there is a life without them.
If I loaded all my toolbars, I’d have no room for the browser part.