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The Mobile MT
Why Go Mobile?
If you read the "MT Road Trip" article in MT Monthly, you know why I am interested in mobile computing. For those of you who haven't read the article, here's a short explanation: We plan to move two businesses, a cross-section of our belongings, ourselves, and three cats onto a sailboat within the next 12-24 months. Our original departure target was February 2002, but preparation and finding the just-right boat may delay the start of our adventure.That's our motivation for learning everything possible about mobile computing. What's yours? Needs vary. Some folks just need to stay in touch with the office during a vacation, others may need to work daily during an extended trip, and still others who travel extensively must work on the road all the time.
The "MT Road Trip" article explained some of the challenges we faced and resources we used for our first practice trip to Miami this past February. While I've certainly had to travel for work in the past, this was the first trip where I was also called on to transcribe extensively, and certainly the first time that I transcribed in a moving vehicle! We learned quite a bit, and I shared a good deal of that information in the article. The resources we found are listed at the bottom of this page, and I'll be adding to the list as I find new resources.
MTs face special challenges while working on the road, and service owners, like me, face even greater challenges. How can you manage all the software, hardware, communications, security, and business issues that arise? Can you stay in touch with customers and contractors in such a way that they feel as if you're just in the next building over? If you become a nomad, will your customers lose faith in your ability to meet their emergent needs? Building on our February practice trip, we'll be taking to the road for two months this summer to discover the answers to those questions.
My husband is the publisher of Scout Camps USA (SCUSA), a guide to Boy Scout camps, and we'll be visiting over 30 camps in 18 states and British Columbia in about eight weeks this summer. Because I not only own a small transcription service but also am an integral member of the SCUSA team, it's necessary that I go on this trip and run my service simultaneously! I don't mind telling you that it's a little scary sometimes! The only thing that prevents my being really worried about this experiment is the detailed preparation and research we're doing. Armed with information and the right tools, we can make this a very successful experiment in mobile computing.
So, what's this page all about? I'm writing this introduction on April 16, 2001, the day that we take delivery of the SCUSA Camp Tour 2001 motorhome. For the next five months, I'll be adding weekly, sometimes daily, updates to this page detailing the preparations for and progress of the trip. It is my hope that my traveling colleagues will benefit from what we accomplish and learn during the spring and summer. As always, I'd love to hear what you think. Feel free to share your comments.
April 16, 2001 - We get the motorhome.
May 1, 2001 - We go for a ride.
Communications Gear
Road Warrior - Gear for the Mobile Professional (tm)www.roadwarrior.com
International modem and power adapters, telecouplers, cellular phone and laptop accessories, PDA accessories, and a good selection of white papers in the support area.
Globalstar
www.globalstar.com
Satellite-based voice and data communications
KVH Industries, Inc.
www.kvh.com
TracVision (mobile television) and TracPhone (mobile telephony)
Nokia
www.nokia.com
Accessories (PC card and connector) to make your Nokia cellular phone modem capable. Search by model number; not all models can interface with a modem. More efficient to phone than use their web site.
Audiovox Corporation
www.audiovox.com
Wide range of personal electronics including modem-ready cellular phones (Audiovox 9000). Search the site for "data accessories."
Modern Living, USA
www.mod-usa.com
Cellular accessories and original equipment. Provides fax and data accessories for brands from Audiovox to Uniden. Helpful articles on modems, chargers, and more.
Overseas Travel - starting points
The Escape Artistwww.escapeartist.com
Products and information for expatriates.
Laptop/Desktop Resources
Laptop Travelwww.laptoptravel.com
Laptop, palmtop, and cellular accessories, including vehicle desks, security cables and alarms, screen shades, and more.
iGo (affiliated with Road Warrior)
www.igo.com
Laptop, palmtop, and cellular accessories, including digital line testers, socket multipliers, inverters, emergency power supplies, voice recorders, and more. Ask for a print catalog.
Hello Direct
www.hellodirect.com
Known for headsets, Hello Direct also offers digital line testers, voice recorders, and adpaters.
Sending/Receiving Dictation/Documents
MedRemote, Inc.www.medremote.com
Internet-based system for file (voice & data) transfers, includes tracking/management features.
Note: You should probably know that my endorsement of MedRemote is a bit biased! I was, and sometimes still am, a part of the team that developed the application. As with any software application, your specific needs will determine your choice. Just as I, grudgingly, acknowledge that for some tasks MS-Word is a better choice than WP51, it's also true that for some MTs MedRemote will be ideal and for others a different choice may be made. Despite my preference for MedRemote and because this site exists to share information, I am listing other internet-enabled systems for the transfer of voice and data files, as well. If you have questions about the MedRemote application, I'd be happy to share my experiences both as a user and as a developer. Feel free to call or write.
Spantel, LLC
www.spantel.com
Internet-based system for file (voice & data) transfers, includes tracking/management features.
Vianeta Communications
www.vianeta.com
Internet-based system for file (voice & data) transfers, includes tracking/management features.
Hilgraeve, Inc. (product: Hypersend)
www.hypersend.com
Low-volume use of this secure internet file (voice & data) transfer system is free. Higher volume available by subscription. Limited tracking features.
Connection Spots
Kinko'swww.kinkos.com
Internet connectivity and other office support functions from locations nationwide. Call toll-free number and ask to have a national location directory mailed to you.
Office Depot
www.officedepot.com
Some locations offer PC stations. Call ahead, not offered in all locations. No Internet access that we know, but fax and printing services available.
Cybercafe.com
www.cybercafe.com
Database of over 4000 cybercafes worldwide. Best advised to phone ahead as cybercafes pop in and out of existence frequently.
Flying J, Inc.
www.flyingj.com
"Roadside hospitality" services, a/k/a truckstops. Telephones, Internet kiosks, copy centers, fax machines, and more. Use web site to find national locations.