Laptop Usage

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Laptop Considerations

If you are using your laptop away from home, you should make sure you are prepared ahead of time.

One time, set and forget

Make sure you have Outlook Express set up, see Outlook Express set up properly.
Keyboard markings so you can see in limited light.
Tech TV tip, turn off CD-ROM auto insert notification under My Computer, RClick, properties, Device Manager, CD-ROM.

Trip Preparation (#trip)

Obtain telephone numbers for dial-up network use ahead of time: MSN
See my Search page for links to Airline Flights arrivals/departure, lower price airfares, maps, business and home phone numbers, and travel related information.
Laptop batteries, fully charged, and don't forget your AC/DC adapter/charger.
If you have a Digital Camera, don't forget battery charger, PCMCIA flashcard adapter, extra flashcard. Blank CD-ROM disks even if your laptop does not have a CD-writer someone else may.
Maintain two separate physical setups for home and away from home.

Ongoing Considerations

Backup your files on a regular basis, and before going on a trip.

Separate setups for home and away from home (#base)

Maintain to save packing and unpacking time separate mice, separate stilts to raise laptop to reduce overheating. Separate phone wire extension cords.

Home Use, Physical Setup

Stilts for home use made from heavy galvanized steel shelves angle bracket, shined up with stainless steel chore boy. Two 15 inch lengths.
Indoor outdoor thermometer. Place the outdoor probe under laptop at warmest spot. Use two small adhesive Velcro hook sides on the bottom of the laptop, cover with non adhesive Velcro wool strip. This should allow quick detachment even if you forget -- it should just slide in/out.

Away Use, Physical Setup (#away)

Stilts for away use should not be steel for airport security considerations and can be a lot lighter. Obtain clear plastic corner protectors to protect wallpaper at Home Depot. Cut to a little longer than width of laptop for the back and shorter in front to accomodate mouse pad. Since these are light weight you will have to double them for strength and tape together. Two 14 inch lengths, and two 12 inch lengths.
Mousepad for away use can be a sheet of heavy legal sized paper (22#) folded in half works fine.

Backup
Colors, look for use of word laptop
Outlook Express
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