I’m not posting to gloat (well, not too much). I am posting to do a bit of evangelization to the crowd that still feels it is okay to lug around an 8 pound notebook everywhere. It’s not. I am always bemused to see someone walk into the local Panera lugging a huge go bag, and pull out a desktop replacement, mouse, smartphone, ipod, and assorted other gadgets. This is NOT a healthy mobile lifestyle. I can’t even imagine how much stress that carrying all that weight is putting on a person’s back.

Today I am going to talk about a concept that I like to refer to as samurai mobility. Samurai mobility is a software-based approach to cut down on the amount of “stuff” that you carry around on a daily basis. Samurai mobility warriors do not need to carry around every gadget imaginable to get the job done.

The first step in samurai mobility is to leave the desktop replacement at home. I know you have all of your important documents and applications exclusively on it. Well, that is going to change now. With the many Web 2.0 applications out there, you have no reason to have all of your files stuck in one place.

To kick off the discussion of samurai mobility, let’s talk about online storage. Online storage options can range from free plans with limited options to deluxe plans with the ability to edit your files “in the cloud.” Here is a selection of some of the best storage solutions:

Box.net Box.net is a comprehensive Web 2.0 style storage system. They offer three levels of storage from free (1 GB) all the way to corporate (15 GB) pricing. The free storage plan comes with limited functionality but the other plans offer file sharing, the ability to edit photos and images online as well as the ability to edit Office documents.

Omnidrive Omnidrive is setting itself up to be a major competitor to Box.net. Currently in a closed beta, Omnidrive offers free storage up to 1 GB. Included in this is the ability to edit your files including Office applications and media. They also offer a Pro level with supposedly unlimited storage. Omnidrive is preparing to roll out version 1.0 at which point they will open signups again.

openomy openomy is another new storage solution. Currently, they offer free storage up to 1 GB. Files are organized by tag rather than folders which may help with searching. openomy is being closelipped about future plans. A pro plan is reportedly in the works. They also have developed an API so interaction with other applications is in the works.

GMail GMail gives you tons of free storage. Why not use it to store files? A comprehensive look at using GMail to store your files is beyond the scope of this post but several software solutions to upload files to GMail are a google away. However, unlike the previously mentioned solutions, GMail was not designed for file storage so use at your own risk.

I find this technique useful for a couple reasons. First, I find that if I like one blog post a person has written, I will probably like other material that they post. Secondly, RSS feeds combined with Google search make a much better method of searching than tags and my own (bad) summaries of web content.

Most sites publish full RSS feeds. This is really useful in Google Reader when I am trying to find that post that one person wrote about, for example, three new and useful GMail Labs Apps. I can use Google Reader’s search function to search for “GMail Labs Apps” which gives me the blog post that I am looking for much faster than searching all of my “GMail” and “useful tags” on del.icio.us.

Of course, I haven’t found a way to integrate all of my internet links into Google Reader. There are still the few sites that don’t have a RSS feed. Also, there are sites that only give the headlines on the RSS feed. While some people may like this, I definitely prefer full posts myself (hint to blogs: provide both).

The best benefit is that I have a database that automatically adds more information to itself. I really can’t express how valuable this is. I love DevonThink on the Mac and I have often wished that I could have something similar on a PC. Google Reader is almost equal and some ways better to DevonThink. When I use DevonThink, I have to continually add to a category. However, once you have enough useful subscriptions on Google Reader (I like to call this critical mass), new content is added every time you hit refresh. Simply awesome.

Dell’s new entry adds even more confusion to an already confused market. The EEE was so successful because the product was designed and marketed with a clear vision. First, the form factor was familiar and, with the various shades, customizable, and (I cringe to say this) “cute.” Second, and most important, Asus set the right price point. From the outset, the EEE was geared at consumers.

With the addition of the HP Mini-Note, the market became a little more confused. Unlike the EEE, the HP is clearly not a mass-market device. Rather, it is a new attempt to revive the somewhat dead subnotebook market here in the States. Remember, folks, subnotebook are NOT a new idea. Anyone remember the Toshiba Libretto? Historically, subnotebooks have been plagued by their high prices. Although the Mini-Note is not astronomically high in price, a maxed out Mini-Note still costs quite a bit more than your average laptop.

Dell may have the power to make or break this market. Dell has a history of competitive pricing so I am hoping that they set the price for their new mininotebook at the right price point.

Although I am concerned about the lack of a clear direction in the market, I don’t mean to sound completely gloom and doom. I am actually thrilled that we are beginning to see reasonably priced subnotebooks or “mininotebooks” here in the US. It’s no secret that my daily workhorse is a Panasonic R3. Given that a low-end Panasonic R7 retails around $1799, I am very excited to see competitors in this market with lower prices. Keep ‘em coming guys.

I would love to learn how she uses her tablet in her work flow.

I have tried to get rid of a paper agenda several times. Among the tools in my mobile arsenal have been the Palm Tungsten E, the HP Jornada 728, and several web-based applications.

I love the ease of electronic todo lists but until inking tasks becomes as nontrivial as jotting down a note in a paper agenda, I really am tied to an paper agenda. I currently use a Franklin Covey agenda with the Simplicity planning pages.

I like the Simplicity planning pages because they do not have specific blocked off appointment times. I very rarely have appointments so appointment pages were always a waste of paper for me.

While Franklin Covey makes nice templates, they can get expensive. for the true paper agenda aficionado, the first stop in setting up a planner should be diyplanner.com. I currently use several templates from the classic kit and the DIY/GTD Teacher Kit
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As a grad student, my Panasonic CF-R3 was my mobile nerve center. I carried it with me every day to and from lab. Like most large universities, free wifi was available everywhere. I flirted with other technologies, but my laptop was really all that I needed.

I am currently an adjunct professor and professional tutor. I use my R3 to prepare lectures, worksheets, and maintain my gradebook. I have a home office but I work in a variety of different places some of which have internet access but most don’t. Since email is my lifeline, I have become increasingly frustrated by the lack of access to my email. I now need a smart phone and a plan that would potentially allow me to connect my laptop to my phone.

As part of the relaunch of Scarlet Umbrella, I am going to begin with a series of posts concentrating on my current mobile lifestyle. Yes, it is somewhat egotistical but since I always like to learn about how the big tech guys use technology and software to improve their lives, I figure I may as well share how one of the little people uses mobile tech. Planned topics include paper technology, my panasonic CF-R3, my Asus EEE, my gear bag, and my current quest for the perfect smart phone and phone plan. Welcome back to Scarlet Umbrella!