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Computer
Accessories
If you've ever looked at all of the
different adapters necessary just
to get across Europe, you'll understand
just how crucial, and confusing, traveling
with the correct adapters can be.
At the bottom of this page, we've
included links to several suppliers
where you can research and buy just
about anything you'll need.
On just about every trip you take,
you'll need the following: a long
telephone cord, a modular telephone
adapter, and a plug that provides
two - and three-prong adapters. Add
to these three items a 3-to-1 power
plug (for plugging in a printer and/or
external modem along with your computer),
and you'll be covered in most circumstances.
Electrical Converters
Here's where it gets tricky. First,
you need to consider international
differences in voltage; then you need
to deal with the different sizes and
shapes of the plugs. Almost every
country has one or more adapters that
may be unique to it, or that it shares
with a few close neighbors. If you're
traveling far and wide, you'll need
a veritable motherlode of adapters,
plugs, phone jacks, attachments, and
the like.
You'll need an adapter for the ubiquitous
220-volt current. It turns out that
the USA and Canada, which use 110-volt
current, are the odd countries out
in this realm; most of the rest of
the world runs 220 volts.
Non-Standard Phone Jacks
The familiar, US Standard phone jack
is RJ11. It's becoming ever more of
an international standard, and if
it's available, you're set if you
simply have a phone cord and jack
in your computer. If not, good luck
finding an adapter at the local hardware
store. There are about 25-30 countries
that still haven't converted to the
RJ11, and then there are the hotels
that have phones that are wired directly
into the wall with no jack connection.
In these cases, you'll want an acoustic
coupler to allow handset to handset
connections, and a patch cord kit.
Dial Tones
Dial tones can vary from country to
country, and your modem may not recognize
the tone at your new destination.
You can get around this by adding
a command to your modem setup string
telling it to ignore the dial tone.
Surge Protection
You have a surge protection electrical
strip on your desktop computer; you
should have the same for your portable.
In countries where electrical delivery
is less reliable, this is all the
more important. You'll need one for
whichever voltage you'll be using;
surge protectors for 110 and 220 volt
currents are not interchangeable.
Modem Protectors
Modems are designed to connect to
analog telephone lines, like the ones
in your home. Some telephones installed
in businesses and hotels are digital.
Because the jacks are identical, you
may not be able to tell the difference.
Many digital lines carry too much
current for modems; so if you plug
in your modem to one, you may ruin
the circuits. With a modem protector,
you can avoid this risk.
If you frequently need to work from
a location with digital phone lines,
you can buy a digital phone adapter
for about $125.
Carrying Case
No matter how careful you are carrying
your computer around, it's going to
take a few hits while you scurry around
airports, hop in and out of airport
shuttle buses, pile stuff into overhead
bins, fall asleep slumped over your
work on the plane. A sturdy, padded
carrying case can save you a lot of
aggravation and even more money.
Extra Battery
You'll be doing most of your work
in the hotel, right? Think you won't
need it? Guess again. A second battery
is an obligatory traveling companion;
get one now.
In the Air
Most major airlines now provide access
to GTE Airfones, to which you can
connect while in the air. This is
great in an emergency, or if you need
to quickly check your e-mail; but
don't plan on using it as a primary
means to get your work done. In addition
to the fact the connections are slow,
calls on domestic flights cost about
$15, for only a few minutes online.
Cellular Connections
A cellular data connection can save
you much hassle, if you're willing
to pay the price. Hooking up to a
cellular connection may also require
additional hardware. Never assume
that your modem will be compatible
with your cellular phone; many are
not. The best bet is to buy a cellular-ready
modem; and get a cellular phone with
a built-in data connection.
Check out these websites for a variety
of travel gear:
www.etravelergear.com
www.walkabouttravelgear.com
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