So the clock is ticking on getting things moving towards leaving to go to Sierra Leone. I need to start accumulating some of the things that I will need to take. I woke up this morning after just charging my phone yesterday and its already down to two bars. The battery's going, so why not get start thinking about a new one? And the computer as well. Why not get used to using it here and now? I'm thinking of doing a 20 mile day-trip on the Appalachian Trail this weekend, I need to be able to pack as close to what I'd be taking at least weight wise.
Phones, phones, phones. I need something as inexpensive as possible with as much as possible... hmmm... sounds like everyone!! lol. But more importantly, I need an unlocked phone that uses a sim card. I need it to be quad band, 3G capable, connectible to a computer, and internet ready. It would also be outstanding if I could get a fabulous camera function so I can combine the weight and not care two things. I also need to contact the companies in Sierra Leone and see what kind of internet connectivity and fees they will have. I was hoping to get a friend involved that works in the phone industry and would be able to provide expert advice, she's been non-responsive though. :-/
Tough with voluntary stuff...
So It looks like I might have to do something on my own. I haven't gotten a phone in a long time and there is a lot of a process to go through to make sure it will all function there "in country." The thought crosses my mind whether I should just get something there. But in general things are so much more expensive in that setting. The other issue is that in looking at phones these companies all have country specific marketing and availability. Actually, I should say that they pull out the US from it all. If I was buying a phone in Europe it would be simple, they are compatible and flexible there with global communications. The US... not so much. Anyway, for example, I want to buy a phone, but I can't just see a list of a manufacturers phones. They all have which carrier they use. I don't want one for a specific carrier. Just a phone.
Or is it just a phone... This post is now fluid... All of these phones can do absolutely everything I want to do on my trip; from pictures, to messaging, to the internet, but there is just no typing solution other than to type with your thumbs... Why carry an entire netbook if you could just take a phone and a little keyboard? Ooo... previously all the flexible keyboards looked big, but I just searched: 'mini' flexible keyboard and got some interesting results. It would be ideal if they made a flexible (rollable) keyboard the size of a laptop keyboard.
Just got off the phone with the manufacturers of a mini flexible keyboard (pictured) made by Genica and sold by their sales subsidiery
geeks.com. But the salesperson spoke of PDA keyboards for phones. He said they are tiny, but for full two hand typing. Couldn't be much smaller than a netbook... My big question was operating systems and plug in. These normal keyboards are USB and seem to all be for Windows. Phones don't usually have either, so maybe pda is the way to go.
Well, it certainly helps to just speak to people. It is amazing at how simple it is to get answers with human to human contact. People are really the best source of knowledge, not the internet.. But the best pathway forward right now seems to be to look at phones and to see what phones have compatible keyboards. I must admit that I really liked the idea of water resistant and flexible given Sierra Leone's climate, and most pda keyboards are solid, but there may be a few options given what it looks like online.
Ooo... There looks to possibly be flexible mini keyboards with bluetooth and pc/mac/pda/smartphone compatibility. That would be ideal, getting closer... if I can just find one that's just right... I"ve found all that but big and pink!! Ok, time for Chi Gung, a run, and lunch though...
