I've visually scanned the weekend circulars and found that there's no mini-note in my immediate future. At this point I'm using that term. I'm not sure what we'll eventually call this new genre of machine, perhaps sub-notebooks, netbooks, or cloud PCs. Of course they are the hottest market segment; in fact, they're so hot that companies cannot crank out enough of them. They seem cheap but one still gets a lot more bang for the buck with an inexpensive 15.4 inch laptop. Mini-notes do not even come with optical drives. Yet, there are so many occasions in which people need less. Much less. Therefore, I, for one, would be pleased to pay $400 for a little device for very routine tasks and web browsing. In a way, it's a relief there's nothing available right now as I'll have to wait until later in the fall when there are more options and better prices.
I am getting things ready now. I generally only use my Gateway at BCIT. I can get wireless access in any classroom on campus. An extended trip requires other software. For example, I loaded ZENcast Organizer just to be able to easily pull in the hourly CBC news podcasts while away. It's 'politicking' time in Canada. The process is a whole lot less expensive, more condensed, and a bit less exciting than the electoral zoo in the US. Still we'd like the ongoing info to be ready to vote the week after getting off the flights from Rome. On the computer, I had to make sure all email accounts were accessible. I also had to make sure I could download digital pictures and videos off my cameras.
Just as importantly, I will be using Windows Live Writer to keep drafts of blog entries. The good thing about it is even if I don't have access to free wireless, I can type out my entry. It'll then be waiting for upload the next time I get near a little bandwidth.