I don't know that MS is our best choice for scientific research on a topic they might have an interest in.
A small study (with admittedly some corporate involvement) was done at Utah. Titled "Productivity and Multi-Screen Computer Displays" and written by Colvin, Janet, Nancy Tobler and James A. Anderson. The abstract sums it up: "Multi-screens scored significantly higher on every measure."
I would have sworn another study came out more recently, stating basically the same results - in the neighbourhood of 20 percent efficiency gains, though I can't remember what the comparison was.
Apple also paid for a study, titled "The 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display Productivity Benchmark", but again, they have a certain interest in selling big screens....
I've done a round-the-world and several extended trips. I always carried a palm with a butterfly keyboard. They don't really make anything as good these days, but a pda with wifi and a micro SD will get you your media and your internets. Then slip the micro SD into the converter and use it with your digital camera. These days cards are so cheap you might as well just carry a bunch. I've seen studies that seem to indicate they're pretty well impervious to everything.
Power conversion is tough - most plugs for PDAs are 100-240 volt and 50-60 Hz (it will say on the plug). A kit with four or five adapters should be enough to get you through. My old palm ran on AAAs, which was much more convenient, but I've not seen any lately that do this. Does anyone know of a handheld accessory that lets you use batteries?
That said, as internet cafes are everywhere, why not just use them? Note: do not put your media in the machines - you will get a virus. Uploading to flickr might be the one reason to carry a PDA.
The tripod isn't a terrible idea, but I found the latest superzooms with image stabilization let you do pretty long hand holds, and with a little leaning against doorframes (-not- against the 1000 year old carvings, please) you'll never need the tripod, and that leaves you with more space for underwear.
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Indiana?! We named the dog Indiana!
I don't know that MS is our best choice for scientific research on a topic they might have an interest in. A small study (with admittedly some corporate involvement) was done at Utah. Titled "Productivity and Multi-Screen Computer Displays" and written by Colvin, Janet, Nancy Tobler and James A. Anderson. The abstract sums it up: "Multi-screens scored significantly higher on every measure." I would have sworn another study came out more recently, stating basically the same results - in the neighbourhood of 20 percent efficiency gains, though I can't remember what the comparison was. Apple also paid for a study, titled "The 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display Productivity Benchmark", but again, they have a certain interest in selling big screens....
Skip the laptop. It will get broken.
I've done a round-the-world and several extended trips. I always carried a palm with a butterfly keyboard. They don't really make anything as good these days, but a pda with wifi and a micro SD will get you your media and your internets. Then slip the micro SD into the converter and use it with your digital camera. These days cards are so cheap you might as well just carry a bunch. I've seen studies that seem to indicate they're pretty well impervious to everything.
Power conversion is tough - most plugs for PDAs are 100-240 volt and 50-60 Hz (it will say on the plug). A kit with four or five adapters should be enough to get you through. My old palm ran on AAAs, which was much more convenient, but I've not seen any lately that do this. Does anyone know of a handheld accessory that lets you use batteries?
That said, as internet cafes are everywhere, why not just use them? Note: do not put your media in the machines - you will get a virus. Uploading to flickr might be the one reason to carry a PDA.
The tripod isn't a terrible idea, but I found the latest superzooms with image stabilization let you do pretty long hand holds, and with a little leaning against doorframes (-not- against the 1000 year old carvings, please) you'll never need the tripod, and that leaves you with more space for underwear.