CANCELED: Dirty Bacon's Great American Adventure

[TBYODA]

Thanks Robert!
What do you think the risk of vibration damage is to a "conventional" laptop rather than a ruggedized one? Also, how about the Durabook line? A bit newer, bigger screen, Durabook D14RM Looks like this is going to be a bigger expense than I anticipated...
Then there is the question of can I just put Win7 in my current laptop and try to get a few more years out of it? it's a Dell Vostro 1400. I've had it since I graduated high school and it still runs strong.

Sorry for so many questions, but computers are not my strong suite.

Don't be sorry I have been building fixing PC's since the good old DOS days. I can't really contribute on the wheeling knowledge side but with pc/notebooks I can and am very happy to help.

From how I think you are going to use the laptop on the trip the only things I think that are at risk from a "conventional" laptop are the screen hinges and the mechanical hard drive. Beside say dropping or getting water on it.

GEEK ALERT
The hard drives heads in a hard drive are very close to the data platter 0.07mm or less so all the bumpy trails could cause head crash.
hard-disk-hard-drive-construction


When AT&T first deployed laptops to our field techs they got "conventional", they went through screens like candy because they would break the hinges, opening closing them 20-30 time a day. Next lease roll AT&T bought the CF-29's.


You might be able to use your Vostro, PM me your service code number (on the back) so I can look up what was installed on the laptop when you bought it. Assuming that you have not upgraded anything, I should have a better idea on how to direct you. It should be cheaper, a OEM version of WIN7 Home 64/32 bit online is about $100. A good Samsung Electronics 840 Pro Series 256 GB is running $160 on amazon, the 128 gig is $99 both on prime.

This is the hard drive vibration protection enclosure from a TB CF-31.

[DirtyBacon04]

PM Sent, thanks.

Anyone have experience with Whynter portable fridges? I like the ARB fridge, but the price is so unattractive. At almost half the price is the Whynter FM-45G, 45 qt. Reviews are mostly 5 star, but theres only 13 reviews.

I know JD tried to point me the way of Edgestar, but if I'm going to pass on the features i love about the ARB, might as well go with the cheaper between edgestar and Whynter. (which is like $50)

Whynter model

Edgestar Model

Upon further inspection... i can't seem to find a bit of difference between the brands... even their pictures.

[Trail X]

Looks like the same product to me. I hadn't heard of Whynter before.

[The Roadie]

I'd love to upgrade my Motion Computing M1400 with a SSD, but it's PATA. Do they even make SSD PATA?

[TBYODA]

I'd love to upgrade my Motion Computing M1400 with a SSD, but it's PATA. Do they even make SSD PATA?

Could try one of these or something like it.
Might have fiddle with a little but it could be done.

2.5IDE to CF Adapter

Add one of these (compact flash)

CF card

[DirtyBacon04]

I've spent the past 2 days researching and trying to understand the whole second battery wiring w/ isolator.
i think I understand most of it... here's my rough sketch. let me know if i'm dumb. thanks



Also, wanting to put on a high output, 250 amp alternator You guys think it's worth the price tag?

[The Roadie]

250 Amp clearly not worth it unless you have 200 Amps of lights or audio amps as loads.

I don't use an isolator on my system. A relay with time-delay activation is sufficient. Diode isolators drop some voltage and can leave the batteries undercharged. A fridge battery is better charged by a thinner wire from the rear fuse block, fused for free by the megafuse. Call me sometime for the longer tutorial.

[DirtyBacon04]

Thanks, Bill. I'll give you a call when I get closer to the wiring portion.

I spliced this video together just to practice my movie making skills, using only Windows Movie Maker. It's no JamesDowning TECORE production; but it's a start. Instead of doing an episode I decided try a promotion video, instead.
Opinions? Constructive criticism only. Haters and trolls will be dealt with accordingly.



Also, I'm not 100% set on "Mission: Expedition", but I needed a title filler for this video. The more I use it though, it keeps growing on me.

[TBYODA]

Great job!

[BC backroader]

I like it, there's a nice feeling of "Let's get this thing happening".

[DirtyBacon04]

Thanks, guys.
I'm not quite satisfied with it, though. The second clip (going into water)doesn't flow very well. I feel like it needs to be less of an overall shot, maybe a moving camera, showing small details. Also need to sync it better with music.

[Trail X]

I like it, its intriguing.

My only thoughts are - digital font is so early 2000s. For most movie makers, their title programming is really limited. The best practice is to make a jpg of your title in a better program like photoshop, and use that image as your title.

Also, fade transitions work, but only once in a while. It worked here because you were doing something with over-the-top dramatization. I generally prefer to have hard cuts between shots, and punctuate them to the music. When you can time transitions to music beats, that can really make it seem polished. That takes probably 60-70% of my time when editing.

[DirtyBacon04]

Thanks, JD.
I'm working on another one now. More of a music video, about 4 minutes long, still honing my editing skills.
I appreciate your input. Also, what program do you use for editing?

[Trail X]

I've used Power Director for a while now. Its not as powerful as something like a full version of adobe premiere, but I believe its a bit more intuitive.

[Bacnbit]

I like it! Good start. I am sure they will get better as time and practice goes on.
Did you give any more thought to the solar panel I Pm'ed you about?

[Trail X]

BTW Bacon, your video looks a lot better than some of the first ones I made.

[DirtyBacon04]

Bacnbit: I just replied. Sorry for the delay

JD:Thanks. I think another issue is I'm always wanting to use music that I know, usually hard rock. So I took a lesson from your videos and am going to try my third attempt on something more... symphonic. I'm thinking E.S. Posthumus - Varuna. It is a very powerful track, maybe a bit much... you familiar with that group?

[DirtyBacon04]

Oooooh, almost finished with first full-length music video. I hope y'all like it. I'm really excited about it.

***UPDATE***

All done. Video is live.

[Trail X]

Oooooh, almost finished with first full-length music video. I hope y'all like it. I'm really excited about it.

***UPDATE***

All done. Video is live.

Good stuff baco!

[TBYODA]

Excellent, good song.