Technology

I think I'm a sucker for technology. Not neccessarily the latest, flashest mobile phone (although the Iphone does look tempting if a little overpriced and hyped) but anything to tinker around with.

I've just gotten myself a HP Netbook from work today, courtesy of an unnamed employee who had been hoarding it following a refund because the daft woman who bought it didnt realise it had linux and thus doesnt run windows programs. I've just installed a Windows 7 Beta and plan to also put a Linux Mint build on and I now have a working blog machine and Wifi stealer for a very reasonable price. My previous plan was to use my old Windows Mobile 5 based smart phone but after ordering a GPS device - another little technological treat I'll mention in a minute. I though that a windows based Netbook would allow me to update maps and get all manner of other gadgets for it on the road rather than relying on potentialy virus ridden internet cafes. Linux would also be handy allowing me to potentially hack wifi networks with my (very) limited L337 skillz!

My new GPS device, when it arrives, is a Garmin Etrex Vista HCx. I have always been against the great clunky idiot guiding car type GPS devices for two reasons. Firstly I like to get lost. Some of the best roads I've found on the bike will probably never be ridden again because I have no idea where the hell they were. Secondly, people seem to rely on them too much. I have had conversations with people in the past have an unhealthy reliance upon their 'Sat Nav' to get to the same location every day. A prime example of this was a woman who came in with a broken TomTom once, complaining that it had stopped working. She looked exceedingly worried when I told her she needed to contact TomTom and get it sent away for repair. 'But I need it to get to work everyday!' It was almost as funny as the people who return a broken TV and expect a replacement whilst theirs is fixed 'Our house is without a TV now!' - So? is ussually my reply. GO OUTSIDE!

Anyways I've had one too few beers and am sat in the garden nattering away to the 3 subscribers to this blog. Roll on graduation, delivery of new toys and departure!