More information about the podcast

On the heels of creating the first book on Mobile Technology for RV owners and enthusiasts the Digital RV website was created.  Due to time constraints it never got where it should, and now that’s being corrected.

One of the primary goals behind the book and web site was to help folks on the road understand all they could use their mobile technology for.  The latest tech is smaller, and much more multi-purpose than equipment from only a few years ago.  And it’s hard to keep pace with the changing technology.  So, the book and web site were created to help readers keep pace with the tech.

The podcast is going to go a long way to help educate the modern traveler on what they can get out of their latest gadgets.  Product demonstrations, tutorials, and reviews will all help you learn about what you can use while traveling!  I’m most excited about the upcoming tutorials that will be available for download.

One note:  The bulk of the podcasts here will not be sized for viewing on your IPod.  Why is that?  Well, if you’re viewing a tutorial of a web browser, don’t you want to be able to see it on a big screen?  I think so, so that’s how the videos will be sized.  Make it functional!

More Info About the Book….

After several years of using technology while on the road, and some encouragement from friends & family, “The Digital RV” finally came together. Hopefully it will help you enjoy your RV time more, and save you some space while on your next adventure.

“The Digital RV” welcomes RV owners everywhere to the Digital World! Whether you’re looking for entertainment solutions, communications options, or just new uses for your old computer, the book will guide you into your mobile digital life.
Items covered include:

Choosing a computer system for travel - Connecting to the Internet while on the road - MP3 Players - Replacing your TV, VCR, & DVD Player

Curently the Digital RV is available through LuLu.com. Shortly it will be avaialable through Amazon and other major book resellers. LuLu is yet another example of a great use of digital technology. LuLu “prints on demand”. That means no inventory. If you’re an RV’er who’s looking to publish, Lulu is one of many printing on demand options available!
A Note from Gadget

For nearly 20 years I’ve had some competing interests. I enjoy keeping up with the latest technology, and working with it as well. However, I’ve also been a big fan of outdoor adventures and travel. To some, these interests don’t go hand in hand.

When you think of “tech geeks” you might imagine folks toiling away in their basements on computer networks, playing games into the middle of the night, and not remembering their last sunburn. And when you think of outdoor enthusiasts you don’t envision individuals who also have a PDA along to document their journey. I fall somewhere in between these categories.

In 2001 I had the opportunity to attempt a hike of the Appalachian Trail. At the time, the trail measured 2,169 miles end to end. My objective was to complete the trail within 6 months. Unfortunately, our trip ended early as we had to return home to deal with household matters. We completed more than 750 miles of hiking, and it was a great time.

While on that trip I did not remove myself from the technical world. Instead, I found small digital technology that helped enhance my trip. An HP Jornada Handheld computer was used to plan our trip, keep a trip journal, and update a journal web site when we arrived in a new town. Several other digital devices came along as well.

The key to bringing along these devices was making sure they were small, light, and multi-purpose. Ask any hiker and they’ll tell you, “A pack under 40 pounds makes for a happy hiker.” That’s 100% true. So, in order to bring my technology along I had to make sure it was small, light, and useful. And in the end I didn’t have to sacrifice any other equipment to bring it along. I did however earn the Trail Name, “Gadget”.

Since I’ve become interested in RV’ing I carried along what I learned on the AT. Small & multi-purpose devices make for a good time! When I leave on a long trip my cabinets are not all full. I usually have plenty of room to spare. And that’s traveling with my wife & 2 Labrador retrievers in a 25 foot trailer. How do I do it? Well, read on and you might find some great ideas for your next trip!
About the Author & Site Host

Rich Charpentier, a.k.a. “Gadget”, is a veteran of the Digital Wireless industry. After more than a decade building new national networks Rich began consulting for wireless carriers, pursuing travel interests, and enjoying RV’ing. After being nicknamed “Gadget” while hiking the Appalachian Trail, Rich has carried his interest in portable technology to RV’ing