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Comment Re:I'm afraid to try (Score 1) 136

The USB port and SD card port have plastic flaps to keep the water out. The phone has a proprietary magnetic connector that doesn't need a flap for charging, though. Fortunately, there's plenty of knock-off connectors on Amazon for a few bucks.

It's actually pretty cool, I picked up a cheap stand that I use to charge the phone at night, and I have a Sony car stereo that holds the phone in its magnetic connector.

Comment Re:Get a business partner (Score 1) 146

In my experience, data coverage in the woods varies tremendously. What we call "in the middle of nowhere" is so relative; in the "middle of nowhere" in a state like Massachusetts is probably a mile or two "as the crow flies" to an area dense enough to have wireless data. "In the middle of nowhere" in California or Nevada will have excellent camping; but no data coverage.

In my opinion, you're better off finding a handful of camping sites and general locations that you know will have rock-solid data coverage; and spend your working hours there.

Comment Sony Xperia Z3 (Score 3, Interesting) 208

I've had a Sony Xperia Z3 for 6 months, and the battery capacity is shockingly giant. Idle, browsing, and reading on Kindle hardly use the battery. GPS and talking also are rather gentle on the battery. The only thing that eats battery is copying 100 GB of music over WIFI. The phone has a stamina mode to help throttle applications as well; but IMO, I'd rather only use it in emergencies.

Comment Re:Could not agree more (Score 1) 413

BUT, if you run the numbers, you will see that we NEED nukes

I used to be for nuclear power. The problem is that, when nuclear reactors get old, they require hyper-vigilance to ensure that they aren't leaking radioactive materials. We just don't have the political climate to regulate a leaky nuclear power plant.

If the US was pro-regulation, I think we could have enough checks and balances to run nuclear power safely. But, given how we don't like regulations, I'd rather just invest in energy sources that don't require such close watch.

Comment $35 Chromecast! (Score 1) 158

Use a $35 Chromecast!

You can send your entire screen to your TV with a Chromecast. You'll probably want to find some kind of wireless keyboard and/or mouse to do this.

You could also look at Android TV and see if there's a screen mirroring application. I don't know if Android TV can run ordinary Android apps, but if it can, there's already a screen mirroring program.

Finally, stick PCs are a thing. You could always run a screen sharing program on a stick PC.

IMO, I think trying to connect a PC to a TV is quickly becoming more effort than it's worth. This is for the following reasons:

  • - I used to use my $1200 HTPC for Netflix and Youtube. Now, it's much easier to use a $35 Chromecast for these applications
  • - Now that Android TV came out, I think we'll get a much better experience with apps designed for a remote control instead of PC apps designed for a mouse and keyboard.
  • - Many smart TVs will have Android TV built-in.

Comment "Unfinished" areas (Score 1) 557

One thing I like about my house is that it has a large unfinished basement. Not only does it give me a lot of room to do messy projects, but it's very easy to run ethernet to anywhere it's needed on the first floor. I do wish I could get some kind of wired network onto the second floor, though.

In my opinion, avoid installing lots of "tech" in your walls. My house is loaded with so much obsolete wire: An old intercom system, coaxial, old electric heating wires, an old split-lead from before there was cable TV. Conduits are good, and unfinished space where you can access the ends.

Comment Re:Low Maintenance (Score 1) 557

"for example; much easier to have time to spend with people or on new productive projects rather than doing the same old maintenance; less to remember or coordinate between multiple maintenance people"

"If your municipality lets you, install a septic instead of connecting to city sewer. No sewer fee. (Just get it pumped every few years)."

My parents and I live in the same town. They have septic, I have sewer. The sewer fee is very cheap; much more preferable to dealing with a septic tank. A septic tank is also a liability if you need to get it replaced.

You are in the hall of the mountain king.