Travel | Mac Bag Review

Getting your Mac bag under

On March 17, 2010, in articles, by brian

With many US airlines now charging fees for checked baggage; more and more people are trying to carry more and more luggage on to flights. American Public Media ‘s Marketplace show on National Public Radio had a great story about the problem and one industry groups proposed solution. One thing I never do and never recommend is checking your computer bag with your computer inside. In fact if I am taking a flight that involves travel on a regional carrier or i know I’ll be on a smaller plane I make sure to bring along a good laptop sleeve in the event that I have no choice but to check my bag.

A great reference for airline carry on bag allowances is at the Luggage Online merchant site.

If you travel often and want to place your computer under the seat keep in mind that back packs and briefcases usually open from the top and side so that you can get things back into your bag while it is still under the seat. Messenger bags and those with a flap over the zipper make it that harder to get items in and out while that bag is under the seat. Remember that no matter what you bag is going to be laying with one side down on the floor. Something that I’ve run into several times was a wet floor; and then a wet bag at the end of the flight. I used to place the airline provided blanket under my bag (because you never know where those blankets have been or the last time they were cleaned).

Privacy Screens for Mac

On January 9, 2010, in reviews, by brian

Sometimes when you are working diligently on your computer you’ll look up and swear that someone near by suddenly looks away. To combat all those that don’t look away; the people who insist on looking over your shoulder and trying to see what you’re doing or looking at on your computer; several manufacturers make privacy screens.

Some employers eitehr supply or require that their employees using computer laptops use privacy screens. To understand the business case for computer privacy screens see to Johnny long’s No-Tech Hacking presentation (look at timestamp starting at 15:00) at 2007 ShmooCon. He makes the case for laptop privacy screens by interpreting information from screens he was able to take photos of.

A number of manufacturers make privacy screens for Macs including: 3M, Elago, and Targus. Also look at ShaggyMac.

I’ve used a 3M privacy screen for years. It fits over the screen on my Mac Book Pro and is held in place by small plastic tabs that I attach around the display. I’ve arranged the tabs so that I have two longs tabs on either side of the display and one smaller tab off center at the bottom of the display (to the left of the “MacBook pro” label. This arrangement works for me in that I can easily slide the privacy screen on or off. I keep the screen in my bag and use it all the time when traveling. I always have a supply of eye glass cleaner wipes around to keep the screen (and my glasses) clean.

The privacy screen does work. Unless you are directly in front of the display you see nothing. When a co-worker took a cell phone picture of me working at my computer the screen was dark as if my computer wasn’t on. The screen also keeps on MBP display clean. The only downside is that the display is a noticeably darker with the privacy screen installed. With the screen installed I’ll edit text but i won’t change any colors since everything appears darker.

booq Terralinq

On November 8, 2009, in news, by brian

I was browsing over at at the booq bag site today and discovered Terralinq. The folks over at booq describe Terralinq like this:

If you ever lose your booq® bag with its valuable cargo, Terralinq may help reunite you with your lost bag once it has been located and reported to Terralinq. To make this possible, each booq bag with Terralinq carries a unique item number on a metal label. Registering links a product’s unique number with an identity – yours. Should a registered bag be reported as lost & found, Terralinq will attempt to contact you with a bag’s location and the finder’s contact information.

Screen shot 2009-11-08 at 3.27.31 PM This sounds like a pretty great system that; if you were to buy some other manufacturer’s bag you would have to pay for. In fact. see i-Trak. That’s what they do. Looking around the Terralinq by booq site it includes a login that lets the bag owner update and maintain their contact information over time. Props to the folks at booq for providing this service when you buy one of their bags!

Lessons from PHX Luggage Thefts

On November 6, 2009, in news, by brian

AP Photo

There are lessons to be learned from the recent arrest of a prolific Phoenix, AZ, Sky Harbor Airport luggage thief (AP, Reuters) .

One important fact noted in many reports is that none of the luggage found at the suspect’s home had a luggage tag attached. The tip here is to make it harder for a would be thief to get the luggage tag off your bag. The folks over at YourBagTag.com sell luggage tags that feature a metal grommet on the tag and attach via a metal cable. If you can make it harder for the thief to cut the tags off and depersonalize your bag; maybe they’ll choose a different target.

I always try to make sure that I have another completed luggage tag attached inside of my bag. I do this this because I’ve had tags break off while on the road and been nervous wondering if the airline supplied tag would hold up. Attaching a second tag inside your luggage provides a way for someone to get your bag back to you if recovered.

Finally, the reporting on this luggage theft seems to indicate that while airlines are getting lean one area they have cut is securing luggage claim areas. As more people figure this out it will only make it harder to travel as less people check bags and bring more bags along. While overhead space is shared you should always try and make sure you laptop bag fits under the seat in front of you. If only as a last resort.