Geek alert. Those of you who noticed my lack of backcountry skiing blog productivity over past weeks, computer tech work has been gnawing on my creative time like European toll roads strip a travel budget. We finally got our webcam working at WildSnow Field HQ — that took basically all winter (big groan). Along with that I configured another satellite-solar-satphone blogging system for an Alaska trip that didn’t happen (though another one is in the works for a crew of WildSnow guest bloggers headed for the Kahiltna.)
Then, to make sure I used up every scant second of my allotted lifespan in paying homage to Billysoft, I got a new Asus Zenbook that’s supposed to be the ONE computer that’ll do everything. Prior to that fine day I’d been running a variety of netbooks, along with a laptop dedicated to the desk. Plan now is to carry the Asus during major travel (portable office), but keep running a netbook for quick dashes here and about. I also run a smartphone (Samsung Galaxy Note) that’ll do just about anything given time to figure out the sometimes kludgy touch-software solutions, but when it comes to serious blogging I like having a mouse and a computer keyboard at my fingertips with a screen larger than my hand. Way faster. More fluid for creative writing.
In any case, we have too many computers around here. So I thought it would be fun to share our heap of silicon and plastic with you guys. Perhaps you’ll find it amusing. Wait, can I already hear the laughter?
There you go. A few extra Acers that’ll probably grace Ebay, the old Systemax will be screwed to the wall along side my backcountry ski binding collection, and my shiny new Zenbook is already saving me at least 30 minutes a day due to faster speed of everything (5g wireless, amazing). The future? Probably more on the cloud — with good local backups for all one-of-a-kind creative products. I’m not sure what the cloud input device will end up being. I got a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse for the Galaxy Note phone, perhaps that’s a hint of the future. In that case the Zenbook might eventually remain in a deep meditative state — but not until I wring it out. Will it go for six or seven years like the Systemax? Doubtful, but you never know. With Windows 8 (or greater) looming as a possible mandatory downgrade, one is tempted to keep the same hardware running as long as possible. After all, I skipped the Windows Vista disaster and stayed with XP longer than I probably should have, as I got so good at XP optimization and upkeep I’ve been able to run multiple computers crash-free and way faster than what their price would indicate. Nonetheless, it would feel oh-so-good to skip Windows altogether and end up without the word Microsoft anywhere on my next human-electronic input device. And that goes for Apple as well. Android everything, or something we’ve not heard of yet? Interesting times.
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.