Yesterday we drove back down to the TechnoGeek Learning Rally at Paradise Oaks RV Resort in Bushnell, arriving just as they were beginning their afternoon sessions.
The first class was on smartphones, and Chris and Jim Guld covered both Android and iPhone operating systems, with lots of tips and hints about how to get the most out of these high tech toys. I am on my third Android-based smartphone, and I knew that the phone was capable of a lot more than I would ever be able to get out of it. But you’re never too old to learn and I’ll be darned if I didn’t learn a thing or three!
Did you know that if you hold down the search icon on the bottom right of most Android phones and say “navigate to” and then name a destination it will take you right to your mapping program and route you there? Did you know if you hold down that same search icon and say “note to self” and say something like “pay phone bill” it will mail that message right to your e-mail address? I do now, because I went to the TechnoGeek Rally!
Here is Chris doing what she loves best, sharing her knowledge of all things geek.
We skipped the next class session, using the time to run into town and stop at the post office to mail out an order, then drop off a bundle of sample issues of the Gypsy Journal at an RV park there that gets a lot of traffic. Then we returned to Paradise Oaks and sat in on an informal rocking chair session that Jim Guld and Phil May were leading on internet on the road. And I picked up an idea or two there too.
Terry sat in on a seminar on managing files and folders in Picasa, and told me afterwards that it was well worth the time and helped her understand some things about her computer. Neither one of us are computer geeks, but we do make our living with our computers and probably do more on them than most people do in the course of a week, or month, or year. But we’re still learning and everything we learn makes our lives a little bit easier and makes us a little bit more productive in our work.
When the last class session was over we spent some time with Phil May looking at a couple of items we would really like to have. Phil and his pretty wife Tracey run TechnoRV and carry all kinds of goodies and gadgets to make your RVing life easier.
We’ve been considering LED light fixtures that slip right into the tube slots for our existing fluorescent ceiling lights, and a Rand McNally RV GPS. I’ve got a Garmin Trucker GPS, which is very good and helps us route our trips over roads suitable for a vehicle our size. But the Rand McNally unit is specifically designed for RV use and includes a lot of specialized information like RV friendly WalMarts, campgrounds, RV service facilities, and routing information for big rigs. There is also an accessory available for the GPS that gives live traffic updates. I haven’t decided whether to get one or not, but a lot of our readers have asked for a review on the GPS, so I’m mulling it over.
When we left the rally, we met JC and Bev Webber for dinner at a place called Catfish Johnny’s in Lake Panosofkee. We had a nice time visiting and talking about the fulltime RV lifestyle, but we all agreed that we could have chosen a much better place to eat while we did it.
Back at the motorhome, I uploaded my new book, Highway History and Back Road Mystery II, to the Amazon Kindle bookstore, and it should be live sometime today. It’s a collection of over 50 little-known historical tales, oddball mysteries, and unique locations we have found in our years wandering America’s highways and byways.
Thought For The Day – Tell me, what do you plan to do with your one precious life?
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
I am very impressed with Chris and Jim’s teaching styles and their ability to stay current on these rapidly changing technologies. Loved the two new tips that you shared. Hope the Techno Geeks bring their combined roadshow West. If so, I will always be in the front row soaking up the latest, greatest tips. Would also love to taste some of the Mays’ gourmet cooking meals.
Nick,
I just got the RVND 7710 for Christmas. Bought it at Camping World for $225 with a coupon for free lifetime maps. Without that you would need to pay $85 for the first map update and then they are free after that. This deal is only good until Dec. 31st.
Haven’t had time to learn or us the thing yet but I can tell you that the “Dock” software is really slow. Took me over an hour to download and install the darned thing.
Barry
Nick,
I bought my Rand McNally GPS with lifetime map updates,from Phil at your rally in Celina. I’ve only had limited time and occasions to use it but so far I’m quite happy with it.
PLUS, as you know, when buying from Phil, the customer support is SECOND TO NONE!
Butch
“Note to Self”….wow, just tried! How cool is that! Thanks for tips!!
We upgraded out ceiling flourescents to LEDs about 1½ years ago. We were constantly fighting the flourescents; wouldn’t light, replacing tubes, etc. The StarBright LEDs are trivial to install and really light the coach.
A good upgrade.
Thanks for the cool Android tips! And I just bought your new book – can’t wait to read it.
I just ordered your new book, just in time because I have a three hour flight ahead of me today.
Nick I have a 5 inch (5510) RVND for sale if your interested. Really great RVing GPS. I loved it so much I upgraded to the 7″ one this year and am looking for a buyer for this 5″ one. Had I known I would have offered it to you at the Jolly Roger campground when you and Miss Terry dropped by for a visit a few weeks ago. Lemme know…
BTW we made great use of your book “Overlooked Florida” when we were there…and am looking forward to using Overlooked Arizona when we go there next month.
I appreciate the offer, Chris, but if I get one, it will be the 7 inch model you upgraded to.
I’m glad you found Overlooked Florida useful, and I think you’ll enjoy Overlooked Arizona just as much.
Nick
My Rand mcnally is a very bad piece of junk! My Garmin is excellent , and a geek loaded it with the Wall mart info., as well as other stuff. Oh it is a Dec. 2009 purchase, and my speedo for my bus conversion.
The floresent to LED conversion, you remove all the inernals of the floresent, a neat job for Miss Terry. There is a differance in light output an color. I use the flat vers buble type LED’s in all my standard old style RV fixtures. All the 12V. lights in my bus conversion are LED and only have 1 each 120V LED light.
I have been reading your blog for a long time and really enjoy hearing about you and your lovely wife. I am a 71 year old woman living in Mesa, Arizona. I have never written to you, but when you mentioned Lake Panosofkee, I had to write. As a young girl, our family spent many happy times at our cabin fishing at the lake. I grew up in Florida, but have lived in Arizona for almost 50 years of my marriage. In fact, live on 96th. St, between Ellsworth and Crismon in East Mesa. Bet you know where that is.thanks again for sharing so many interesting experiences with us.
Thanks for writing, Florice. Yes, I know the area very well. Terry parents live on Main, just west of Crismon.
“LED light fixtures that slip right into the tube slots for our existing fluorescent ceiling lights”…I’d like to get these, too. Any suggestions as to where I can find them?
Cat Lady