Snag More Wireless Networks With A Long Range USB Antenna
Enhancing the wireless range of your laptop using a long range antenna will let you search and find more (potentially open) wireless networks as you travel the world. The typical wireless card in a Macbook gives you about 100mW range. Forget about the technical details but consider that a long range wireless card gives you 3-5 times (300-500mW) the range. This lets you bum Wi-Fi signals from networks that might have been out of your range otherwise.
There are two good options for long range wireless antennas with some minor differences between the two. This isn’t a sponsored review, I just like and find these two antennas personally very useful.
Alfa AWUS036EH (300mW) about $40 – About the size of a USB memory stick, this little antenna plugs into your USB drive and works with most Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. The Alfa AWUS036EH provides about 300mW of power (about 2.5 times that of most Intel Windows laptops).- I never travel without my Alfa AWUS036EH. It doesn’t look fancy or expensive and probably won’t draw anyone’s attention.
- Alfa AWUS036 (500mW) about $60 - Aside from the extended range (almost 2 times) over the Alfa AWUS036EH, the Alfa 500mW doesn’t plug right into your USB drive (but an included cable). It’s a big bulkier and might be more interesting for a pickpocket in my opinion.
These cards aren’t the easiest to find, but I’ve purchased both from Rokland.com (here’s the link for the 300mW and the 500mW). You can also use the card for Wi-Fi hacking, but you don’t need any extra equipment to search for hidden wireless networks in airports or bus stations.
Star Trek’s Top Intergalactic Travel Destinations
“To explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations…”
-Star Trek title sequence
The Star Trek universe is full of planets which may not be real but certainly would be great travel destinations if they were. Imagine a universe where you could hop on board a shuttle craft and zip around the galaxy like an Enterprise crew member. Here are the Star Trek intergalactic destinations you’d want to beam down to first.
(Enterprise image courtesy: Star Trek New Voyages)
Risa
You know you’re heading to a fun place when it’s nicknamed the “pleasure planet”. Risa is home to the free loving Risans who converted their rainy planet into a tropical paradise where most anything goes. Getting laid in Risa is about as easy as placing a fertility statue (known as the horga’hn shown below) next to your chair by the pool to let the locals know you’re feeling frisky.
Vulcan
The Vulcans may be too logical for it, but their deserts, rocky terrain, and mountains would make for some pretty sweet off-roading and hiking grounds. Gravity on Vulcan is stronger than here on Earth, so you’ll need to get a decent amount of speed on your ATV for good jumps. It would also make a great place to hike, camp, and has several plenty of religious temples to visit as well.
Andoria
The ice moon, not too far from Vulcan, rarely gets above -30 degrees Celsius (in the summer). Completely covered with snow, ice, and mountains it would make a great place to cross country ski, or snowboard – provided that you bundle up. (Especially since Earth’s ski resorts are heating up.) All of the Andorian cities are underground and its caves are popular honeymoon destinations.
Notable Mentions – Some of the worlds that didn’t make the list but were close in the running.
- Betazed – Generally mild with lush rain forests and jungles. Just don’t try to lie to your Betazoid travel agent, they can read minds.
- Trill - The Hoobshian Baths are a little bit of sauna and a little bit of Risa in one.
- Romulus - I suspect that Romulus would be a great place to jet ski since its covered in vast lakes and oceans. It might be hard to get a tourist visa though, the Romulans are notoriously suspicious and don’t like aliens.
The Winner: Sol III aka. Earth
The planet we all take for granted has everything and more than the fictional worlds of Star Trek above can offer. With our oceans, wildlife, mountains, deserts, variety of climates to name a few, I’m sure that Earth will be the tourist destination of the 24th century and beyond. Let’s just hope we can take care of it so it lasts and flourishes until then.
Aren’t we lucky that we live on the best travel planet in the galaxy? The Star Trek worlds are really archetypes of what already exists here on Earth and a reminder not to take it for granted. Perhaps those strange new worlds are not as far as think and what drives us to travel as much as we can.
“It can be argued that a human is ultimately the sum of his experiences.”
-Benjamin Sisko, Deep Space: 9.
[photo by: Star Trek New Voyages (USS Enterprise)]
Which Star Trek Crew Member Do You Travel Like?
“To boldly go where no man has gone before.”
-Star Trek title sequence
The voyagers of the original Star Trek Enterprise inspired an entire generation to explore beyond what their imaginations had to capture. While the worlds of Star Trek may be fantasy, the personalities behind the original characters embody several ‘traveler types’ that we all are and see in others. Which one of the original crew members would you be if your next trip were on board the Enterprise to a strange new world?
Captain Kirk
James Tiberius Kirk was born on a starship and didn’t spend too many of his childhood years on a farm in Iowa before heading back to life among the stars. Traveling from an early age, the young Kirk is completely comfortable with life on the road and knows where to find some Romulan ale and hot alien woman on stops in between. A natural leader, his travels haven’t quite freed himself from some prejudices about the races he has encountered.
Spock
Spock travels not for the adventure but the science. Spock would be the person enters a field where travel is part of the job studying cultures in the process. He’d also couch surf and have an extremely efficient set of travel essentials. Spock would find more than 33 ways to travel green and his human side would ensure that his efficient travel plans were spontaneous enough to maintain inner harmony.
Dr. McCoy
A reluctant traveler, Dr. Leonard McCoy has a gritty exterior but inside has a deep compassion for humanity. This desire to help others overpowers his fears and anxiety about the technologies of traveling in the 23rd century, like transporters and shuttle craft. Much like many of us who have a fear of flying but put up with it reluctantly. Dr. McCoy isn’t traveling to relax or see the sights, he’s more interested in ecotourism or volunteering wherever he goes.
The Rest Of The Crew
The rest of the Enterprise’s senior staff are interesting characters that are drawn to traveling in various ways. Below is a quick recap of some other Star Trek characters from the original 1960s series.
- Hikaru Sulu – The guy who never gets lost and always has to drive.
- Uhura - Not only the communications guru but the one who always knows a few words of a language before she gets to her destination and is never without a handy tranlator.
- Pavel Chekov - Along for any ride, a resourceful traveler and a great person to bring on any road trip. He’ll figure out how to chill that 6 pack in 3 minutes.
- Mongomery Scott - Damn it captain, I’m not going to just be a passenger, I’m going to fly the plane!
Which Star Trek Crew Member Do You Travel Like?
Which Star Trek Crew Member Do You Travel Like?
- Captain Kirk - Pass me a drink and lets party! (50%, 5 Votes)
- Spock - Traveling without a plan is illogical (20%, 2 Votes)
- Scotty - I'm going to become a pilot and fly myself! (20%, 2 Votes)
- Sulu - I don't need a map (10%, 1 Votes)
- Dr. McCoy - I hate flying but love traveling (0%, 0 Votes)
- Chekov - The hitchhiker (0%, 0 Votes)
- Uhura - I'm never without my translating dictionary (0%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 10
Loading ...I’ll post the results of the poll next Friday, May 15th. I hope that you enjoyed this little traveling personality chart based on the Star Trek characters. The show inspired me to explore the world around me and perhaps the new movie opening this Friday will inspire new audiences to that same passion.
Common Sense Advice On Handling Most Joint Injuries On Your Own – [Part 2 of 2]
May 4, 2009 by Anil P.
Filed under Health and Fitness
In Part 1 of handling most joint injuries on your own I emphasized the importance of self-administering first aid within the first 48 hours. Taking care of an injury immediately after it occurs the right way, in large part determines how long you’ll be able to travel with ease again.
Once you’ve done that now you can start pampering yourself and making sure that your injury heals all the way.
4. Stretch
Start slowly moving the injured joint in all of its natural directions with controled movements. At the first sign of pain stop your stretch and carefully move your joint back to rest. In the first 48 hours you want to stop blood flow to the injury sight, after this time you want blood to move freely to clean out scar tissue and prevent the joint from getting stiff.
5. Massage
Gently massage the muscles in and around the joint. This helps promote blood flow and release endorphins, a natural pain killer. Besides it feels good and can be shared if you’re traveling with a loved one or family. Remember, don’t do anything that causes pain and listen to your body, which brings me to my next point.
6. Don’t Overdo It!
Listen to your body! If something hurts don’t do it. If you just feel that you are limited by your injury or just can’t do everything you’ve planned, than don’t. I am one to push myself through most anything – I’ve had quite a resume of injuries – but a lingering injury that will hurt for months or years down the road isn’t worth it. You may end up doing more harm and need some serious treatment.
The Goal Is 100%
Aim to get your injury manageable enough to get going again but keep treating yourself until completely healed. Don’t neglect your bum shoulder or ankle just because it isn’t aching anymore. Often ligaments and tendons, which receive poor blood supply, take weeks or months to heal fully. Stop taking care of them (stretching, massage, and listening to your body) and you increase your chances of re-injury or chronic pain down the line.
Take care of yourself and your body will take care of you for many more travels to come!
[photos by: hey mr glen, thomasvanhoff, _Ina_]
