Laptops: An Update on the (Im)mobile Lifestyle

I am both mobile and immobile now. For whatever that may be worth.

To explain, since the 'death' of my HP Pavilion (affectionately known among my friends and family as "Jeanette") I've been forced to find a number of alternatives to accomplish similar functionality. Now, I still can't afford a new laptop, though I have taken one significant step in that direction: I'm currently employed at my local college as a Piano Tutor, and managed to earn a second side job in the Learning Center of the library assisting with the computers. This works out to a minimum of 8 hours of work a week at minimum wage, more if I actually manage to tutor some students. So it's definitely a step in the right direction: at the very least, I should be able to afford school next semester.

I've also managed to make some small amount of money publishing articles through Associated Content for upfront payment review, but nothing substantial. Still, money is money.

But returning to my original point, thanks to the death of my laptop I've been forced to explore other options. For one, with the help of my dad I set up a dual-boot on the family's primary desktop, thus allowing me to access my various software once again without impacting the primary installation of Windows. One of the unsung benefits of being a student is the MSDN Academic Alliance, where students in Computer Science classes are able to access free student licenses for Microsoft's OS - and as MSDN subscribers have already gained access to Windows 7 early, so have students who benefit from the Academic Alliance. Thus, the natural choice for my OS in the dual boot became a copy of Windows 7 Professional.

It's very nice. That's an understatement.

Add my copy of Microsoft Office, and I've got my tools back in place for homework. But there's one thing missing: mobility. Tied to a desktop, I can't take those programs with me. I need something mobile.

Enter PortableApps. It's not a perfect solution, but portable applications can be installed on my USB Hard drive and used on any desktop or laptop computer without changing its settings or leaving any traces behind on the host. Thus, in the school labs, I am able to run my own personal copy of Mozilla Firefox (and other such software) from my USB drive, using the extensions I like and keeping all my bookmarks and such with me wherever I go. It even comes with its own Start Menu that resides in the system tray of the host computer. It's almost elegant; when it's skin-able, it'll be perfect.

Still, I'll admit freely that I miss my laptop. But at least now I have some hope of being able to afford a replacement in time. First, though, I have to improve my personal mobility, and not merely my technical mobility.

I have to start driving.

Yes. I am 20 years old, and haven't had Driver's Ed or a permit yet. It's sad. I get that. It wasn't a priority in high school (where was I going to go, really? And how would I pay for insurance?) and so I didn't do it, even though my mother, who is much wiser in many respects than I am, told me to.

Kids, listen to your mothers. Sometimes they really do know more than you do. Perhaps even often.

Now, however, it's becoming inconvenient for a variety of reasons NOT to drive - and yes, there's bound to be large portions of my readership (I count 4 of you that I know about, leave comments, please, so I know you're there!) saying "DUH" at this point, because I'm in a medium/long distance relationship and I still have to bum rides from people to see my own girlfriend.

I'm laughing at myself right now, so feel free to laugh with me.

But I've taken steps in the right direction. For one thing, I AM now working, finally, thanks be to all that is good. Which makes me more employable anyway, and more likely to be able to get a better job at a later date. For another, I've started taking the practice tests on the DMV website, and I seem to know more than I expected. Odds are, I can just take the written test in person and get my permit without too much trouble.

Still need to practice more, though. To be safe.

The Macbook Pro remains an elusive dream, of course, but I'm sure I'll catch up to it eventually. Good things come to those who wait, but more importantly to those who work while they wait.

Until next time, don't forget to be awesome, and excelsior!