The Long Ago Promise Of Technology For Digital Nomads Is Finally Here

by Joni Blecher / Aug 19

The nice thing about being a mobile worker these days is that the promise of technology long ago is here today. Memory is larger in smaller formats and can be transferred in multiple formats (USB flash drives in the form of keychains, SD Cards, MicroSD cards, and even MiniSD cards) and as such can help you lighten your load and give you more security about the content you create on the road. Use it to backup your laptop on the road. If you’re on the road a lot weight of your mobile pack is going to be an issue – so limit the weight by spending the extra bucks on a lighter machine that includes at the very least built-in EVDO service and WiFi. One of those two options should pretty much keep you connected wherever you might roam.

That said, if you can’t change the laptop you take with me make sure you’ve got a decked out cell phone. It doesn’t have to be a smartphone, but it definitely should be a phone that you can use as a wireless modem for your laptop, just by attaching it either via Bluetooth or a USB cable. You’ll need to sign up for a data plan, but typically if you travel two to three times a month, the service pays for itself over having to use a hotel dial-up connection. Additionally, WiFi is just about everywhere and if you don’t have WiFi built into your cell phone or laptop you can buy a USB drive device that can add WiFi to your laptop. This all makes getting online a lot easier than it’s been in the past and let’s face it: a lot of work gets done via an Internet connection.

Finally be smart about what you take on the road. Say you have a digital camera but ran out of film, but you do have a 1GB MicroSD card in your cell phone that’s got maybe 100MBs used, stick that card in a MicroSD card SD card adapter and use it as digital film for your digital camera. Being a mobile worker definitely has advantages, but if you go into it with a technology learning curve you should cut yourself some slack and take the time to try your set up at home before you hit the road; since once you’re out there finding the missing pieces and reliable tech help isn’t always easy.

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