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Ask Slashdot: Suggestions For Taking a Business Out Into the Forest?

Posted by timothy on from the at-your-service-robin-hood dept.

An anonymous reader writes: I'm a huge fan of primitive survival reality TV. I am also self-employed in web troubleshooting and hosting services. I have to be available 24/7, but a lot of my work is just being online for a few minutes at a time. I often think about taking my business 'outdoors', camping, 3-7 days or so at a time — but staying online. Has anyone had experience with this? How did you do it, in terms of internet connectivity and portable power? Satellite internet or long distance Wi-Fi antennaes and a very tall pole? I've looked at some portable power stations with solar attachments, but the idea of hand-cranking to recharge if it's overcast isn't fun, after all, the point is to relax. But I'm willing to manually recharge if it's realistic (would prefer pedaling though!) I happen to have a Toughbook CF-52 (I just thought it was cool) but I may need to replace that with a more eco-friendly laptop as well. Thanks!

6 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. Please don't camp anywhere near me. by Todd+Palin · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I go camping to get away from that shit.

    1. Re:Please don't camp anywhere near me. by iggymanz · · Score: 3, Insightful

      someone doing sysadmin or coding while camping can't be as bad as yahoos with battery TV or "boom box" stereo or even having headphones but volume cranked up too loud

    2. Re:Please don't camp anywhere near me. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Vacationing 5 days a week and working on and off?

      Working 5 days a week vacationing once every few months.

      I think we're the ones who are 'missing the point'.

  2. Easier than that by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Depends on your location and camping requirements. When I camp on the AT I get fine cell service. I put my phone on ultra-low power mode and it lasts for a few days. If a keyboard is needed I'd go with an low-power solution like a windows convertible tablet and keep it sleeping in airplane mode most of the time.

    If you are car camping its as easy as idling the car for an hour every day to charge everything up. If you are serious about making a semi-permanent camp, a generator trailer towed by an ATV is a good solution.

    Camping is artificial rules... make them up to suite your enjoyment.

  3. Generators . . . by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Please don't be one of those damn people with generators in a rustic campground (those without electrical hookups).

  4. Don't be a jerk by chaoskitty · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "I want to do this thing. Please help."

    "Don't do that thing because I wouldn't."

    Not very helpful, and it also isn't in the spirit of Ask Slashdot.