[NTLK] Matt's bag

[Matt Howe]

Well, now that you have expanded the scope, I also carry a Aiptek digital
video/still camera and a Tom Tom bluetooth GPS. The GPS talks to my Nokia.
For hiking in the woods though, I have a Garmin ForeTrex, water proof with a
wrist watch style strap.

The Nintendo DS does a good job as a media machine. It has stereo sound and
a good video system. I also made a USB host adapter for my Nokia. So with a
couple a card reader, I can take pictures and video with the camera transfer
it to the Nokia and then to the Nintendo. Or download to the Nokia and
transfer it to the Nintendo etc. And my cell phone has a camera which I
occasionally use and an MP3 player which I never use and bluetooth so I can
tether the Nokia to its modem and call my free net dial up account.

I am like you in that I like to carry a number of small dedicated devices.
In my bag you will also find a pocket screwdriver with interchangeable tips,
a multi tool and a pocket digital meter. And just to add geek cred, a
digital IR thermometer and a digital tire pressure gauge, both of which are
key chain sized.

Of course some of that I carry just to see the look on people's face when
they ask if I have a (insert noun here) and I pull something out of my bag.

Matt (Ducky) Howe
Owner of a MP2000U and an Emate
SantaMatt at Gmail.com (Nokia N770)
matthowe at comcast.net (Desktop)
http://home.comcast.net/~mhowe41/
http://SantaMatt.blogspot.com

Jim Lee wrote:
<snip>
I, for one, believe in the Unix philosophy - make small, single-
purpose tools that do one thing, and do it well.  Connect these small
tools together to do more complex tasks.

I want:

1. A phone that's just a phone.  It could have a bluetooth modem built
in, but that's it.

2. A camera that's just a camera.  No cell phone camera ever made is
worth discussing.

3. A gaming machine that's just a gaming machine.  The DS is fine for
this.  I don't play games on my computer or laptop or phone.

4. A GPS that's just a GPS.  I don't always need or want anything else
when I'm hiking, or camping, or just driving to an unknown location to
pick something up.  Why take a chance on dropping an all-in-one-
expensive-do-everything-machine into a river?

5. A media player that's just a media player.  The iPod Classic works
great for me - just load it up with songs, podcasts and movies and I'm
good to go for months.  If I want a "bigger" experience, I just plug
it into the nearest TV.

6.  A  computing device that does everything else.  Ok, technically
speaking, this violates my philosophy, but a computer (in the
traditional sense) is a general purpose device.  However, it too
should be limited in scope.  I don't want to take pictures or talk or
play games or navigate on my computer - there are better devices for
that.  I'd rather not spend my money on duplicate or superfluous
functionality that would be better spent on RAM, CPU, screen
technology, battery technology, and ergonomics.
<snip>