Unlucky weather.
Could the weather forecast be any worse? Not only will I get wet and be unable to test the solar kit fully but with an overnight low of 11 degrees, camping wouldn’t be much fun.
Mobile Internet Connectivity solutions.
I learned a long time ago that WiFi Internet access is not a truly mobile Internet access solution. Its a solution for multi-location access but not a full mobile solution. Fortunately the mobile telephone carriers offer Internet access too and it ‘aint bad!Its going to be the perfect solution for the Solar-UMPC tour. In Europe, […]
Could Solar Energy solve the UMPC Battery Life Problem?
They are expensive and inefficient. Solar panels need to develop a lot before they can provide the average man on the street with enough energy to supplement a worthwhile portion of his energy intake. Mind you, the average man is pretty inefficient. Cars, lighting, heating, cooling. We sap up energy like there’s no need to […]
Mobile Office UMPC Table
I have been looking all over for a lightweight table that I can use on the Solar UMPC tour (which is at risk of being pushed back by another week due to weather and PR organizational activities unfortunately) but I realised at the weekend that I already have a table. Its a heavy bike but it […]
Juice Bag and other solar backpacks.
Kornel, a member of the UMPCPortal.com team, asked my why I wasn’t using a solar backpack on the tour. He was referring to products like the Juice Bag from Reware and the Voltaic Solar Backpack. [update: And someone has just told me about the Clear Blue Solarpac Series. Another option. Thanks Jon.] Reware Juice Bag […]
Blue Bike Baggage test
Encouraged by yesterdays progress with the solar kit, I spent most of today finishing off the wiring and packing it all into a plastic box. I then paired down my kit list somewhat (out goes the Nokia N800 and spare mobile phone, two pairs of underwear, one of the t-shirts, the multimeter and a pair […]
How to use a solar panel to power your gadgets.
Lesson number one in the Solar-UMPC project is that the weather is chaos and if you live in mid-northern Europe, you can’t rely on it as a source of instant energy. You’ll see how I’ve had to adapt my solution in my first Solar UMPC video. In the video I present the solar charging and […]
Countdown on pause.
Just like all the best countdowns, this one is paused for a while. The reason? Taiwan. Both VIA and myself have been non-stop busy since Computex started 4 days ago and we’ve decided to delay for a week. Looking at the weather forecast, its probably a blessing in disguise because cloud and light rain is forecast for […]
UMPC Tour Pack-list
Despite the terrible weather forecast (rain, clouds, heat, thunder) It’s time to finalize the pack-list and buy the last items, prepare the solar equipment (which should turn up today) and do some test loading and test cycling. Over the last weekend I fitted the baggage to the bike and loaded it up with random heavy items including […]
An evening outside with a Samsung Q1b.
The new tent has arrived, the bike baggage, and finally, some warmer weather so I’m taking the chance to test things out in the garden. My daughter is nearly asleep in the tent and I’m perched outside with the Samsung Q1b and organizer pack resting on one of my panniers, a clip-on LED lamp a […]