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Powering the Adventurous Geek?

Posted by Cliff on from the alternate-sources-of-electrons dept.

Xochi77 asks: "As a Geek and a Backpacker, my laptop travels where ever I go, but now that I'm planning a trip through remote regions of South America and Africa, I'm starting to wonder where I'm going to get my power from. How has the Slashdot community dealt with powering high-tech gear in third world countries? I'm especially interested in alternative power sources, like solar cells and wind-up generators etc, but they will have to fit in my backpack!"

2 of 84 comments (clear)

  1. Go without it by chaidawg · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I am also a geek, and I enjoy various types of outdoor adventure travel (Backpacking, biking, etc.) Sometimes you have to unplug. Enjoy the beauty of your surroundings, and the excersize that you are getting. leave the laptop at home and catch up on your coding and slashdot when you get back. If you want it to store stuff like digital photos and film, stock up on extra CF cards and miniDV tapes. They are smaller than a laptop and the power you would want, and it gives you more time for your trip.

  2. realistically though... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    i've travelled with my girlfriend (peace corps) through africa a couple of times, and i should comment that flashing a lot of material wealth -- a bank of solar cells and a laptop -- wouldn't be the smartest thing to do in the bush... when you're not in the bush, of course, you'll have some electricity.

    try to make do with less in the third world. be a considerate visitor, too.

    two cents.