Technology

This page is for the sailing interest groups and those interested in the technical stuff involved in this trip.  Ideas for improvement will always be welcome, but bear with us on the feasibility of what we are prepared to do.  We have to budget the available time and give priority to working the boat, keeping the cooking, housekeeping and navigation in order so as to complete the passage safely and on time with a happy crew.

Internet technology: It is a bit of a last minute rush to pull all the hardware/systems components together before we set off.  After this point any failures or changes will not be easy to put right because suppliers rarely cater for customers on the move. 

Bold Explorer has some very capable communications for navigation and management of maritime risks and a laptop computer with Orange 3G/Edge/GPRS links to the Internet.  I have  a Samsung Omnia mobile phone running Windows Mobile 6.1 with various add on applications to make things a bit easier.  For example, I hope to get a Platial map set up so as to more easily and accurately log our progress visually on the blog.  However, we have different standards ranging from operating release levels through to proprietary software and different add-ons.  And the overarching issue giving us a sense of solidarity is that we have one 12v cigarette lighter socket to recharge everything with!  Our three weaknesses will be systems integrity (state of kit and quality of set up/maintenance), the environment (salt, wet, movement) and our level of training and understanding – not comprehensive … let’s say patchy.

I shall be using the Samsung Omnia mobile SGi-900 for phone, sms texting, and Internet Access to BT Yahoo e-mail, Facebook, Flickr, Linked in and the WordPress blog.  I shall also be using a Canon Powershot S5is, for primary photography (the Omnia can take 4 Mpixels and can upload directly to Flickr.  We shall see how we do.