Why Technology?

Nearly a quarter of a century ago I took year-long bicycle trip around Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh with my then girlfriend, now wife, Nancy. We took along my trusty, heavy-duty Pentax K-1000 camera to capture the spectacular sights we continuously encountered. Back then we used rolls of film to store our pictures on, 36 exposures to a roll! We accumulated roll after roll and stashed them somewhere in our panniers until we finally lugged them back to the States where we had them developed. Only then could we finally see the photos for the first time and share them with others.

Over the past few decades technology has made a drastic impact not only on how we create, store and display our cherished memories, but it has also created many new reasons for capturing them. On the trip I took a quarter century ago my options were extremely limited: use film to produce either prints or slides. I could then share them in a photo album or in a slideshow using one of those old fashioned slide projectors - but only after I returned from the trip.

Wow, how things have changed! It's now possible to snap a picture somewhere up in the Himalayas and display it to the entire world in a matter of minutes. Classrooms from around the globe can follow us in real time as we explore exotic cultures and visit remote places in the far corners of the earth. We can express ourselves through pictures, writing, podcasts, and videos. Friends, family, and anyone with internet access can virtually become part of our trip sharing our experiences along with the ups, downs, and each of our personalities. We’re limited only by our imagination and willingness to spend the time capturing and sharing our adventures. See Sharing Your Experiences on the Internet for a look at some of these possibilities.

It is my intent in these technology resource pages to give people an idea of what is possible and suggest practical steps on how to turn your ideas into reality. I will emphasize equipment practical for the traveler - that is, equipment which is tough, compact, and as lightweight as possible. What I offer are suggestions or starting points so you can begin to think about what you will do with your memories in your unique situation.

Before you start shopping for the equipment you’ll take on your next trip, it is essential that you have a general idea of what you will be doing with all the wondrous creations you produce along the way. You may be keeping it simple by only taking photographs which you will use later to create a photo album. On the other end of the complexity spectrum you may want to maintain your own blog complete with videos, podcasts, and photographs. Furthermore you may want to update it several times a week while on the road. If you don't have an some idea of what you are going to create and how you are going to share them, you will end up with unnecessarily bulky and expensive equipment or with equipment not up to the job you had in mind.