Streamlining Tech for Travel - My Shift to Minimalism

After travelling most of my life, I have been on a crusade to reduce my tech baggage. There was a time when I would have multiple laptops, games, and a litany of cables. International converters further complicated this during times of 110/220, requiring separate blocks. Like clothing, I overpacked what was actually used and needed. This trip, I decided to attempt just a tablet with a keyboard. I found that with Android and work MDM profiles, it was easy enough — additionally, turning off my work profile limited work notifications on PTO. ...

September 8, 2024 · 1 min · Nick Schmidt (oneguynick)

Travelling with less stuff

September 7, 2024 · 0 min · Nick Schmidt (oneguynick)

Redefining My Reading - Embracing the Modern Age of Media Consumption

At times, I've felt a twinge of disappointment that I don't read as much or as often as I'd like. The giants of philosophy, history, and technology had devoured volumes by this stage in their lives, a feat that seems beyond my reach. But then, I realised that my approach to media consumption is unique and satisfying in its own way. For the past seven days, I have made it a point to note when I am listening to a podcast or audiobook, watching a YouTube documentary, or mindlessly scrolling through some technical post. The truth is that I consume information nonstop, but in different forms. Leopold von Ranke had no opportunity to have a group of intellectuals follow him around, piping various topics into his ears from around the globe in all his free time. His sphere of information was a fraction of what I could blare into my ears or burn my eyeballs with. ...

August 24, 2024 · 2 min · Nick Schmidt (oneguynick)

How to Hack Your Treadmill and Run Like a Geek (Or at Least Avoid a Boring Workout)

After a decade of loyal service, my Sole Treadmill finally threw in the towel. Not one to contribute to e-waste, I tried replacing capacitors and control boards until I exhausted every part I could find online. Realising that my time was worth more than my patience, I decided it was time for a new one. My wishlist was pretty straightforward: Incline/Decline capabilities Speeds over 10 mph No required subscription Delivery and setup service (since moving the old one to the basement was a Herculean task) Enter Best Buy and NordicTrack. ...

July 31, 2024 · 4 min · Nick Schmidt (oneguynick)

2 Years on towing with the Lightning

It has been two years since we picked up the Lightning, and I wanted to discuss what has changed. Many of my first posts focused on the present rather than the future. Well, here we are in the future. I planned a trip from Standish to Duck Creek RV Park in Muskegon. I followed the same process I outlined two years ago: Plug the destination into the FordPass App and chuckle at the recommendations. Go to ABRP and see what the recommendations were. Go to PlugShare and validate the reviews of chargers and the general path. Look at Google Earth and determine if a trailer can park next to the charger. I plan my stops with the idea that I can double back (with a trailer) to another alternative. This is probably a byproduct of my aviation background, but I always have a diversion “charger” in play. With that in mind, I planned three stops on our drive and was pleasantly surprised: ...

July 12, 2024 · 3 min · Nick Schmidt (oneguynick)