techno explained

I guess I should tell you folks why I named my blog. I have an iBook (600mhz/14"), a firewire DVD+/-RW, a firewire 120gb HD and a FW CD-RW. I have a wired router for the occasions when I have an intel chipped laptop in here also (running *nix of some kind, usually Mepis, although the Yoper or Ubuntu linux' look interesting). I say "looks interesting" cuz I've been without an intel POS (piece of Crap) for a few months. Most large truckstops chains have wireless internet now and the 'Book will share its wireless connection easily through the router.
I have been building PCs since 1993. About 4 years ago I gave up on windows and started my solo use of linux. My friends say I'm an avid windows hater, but its not hatred, its despair. I don't know how many operating systems that are infected by virii as as quickly as they are installed. Spending several hours installing firewalls, antivirii, and other protective mojo after installation got old quick. Most laptops I've purchased (intel based) are cheaply made and don't seem to hold up well in the trucking environment. My iBook is almost 3 years old and I've been thru 3 intel laptops since the iBook came along. The intel 'books just get slow and the hardware starts deteriorating within a few months.
I've been considering what to do with my 'Book..spend >$500 on a new larger hard drive and some more RAM, or purchase a new Apple product, and use the older 'Book as a wireless repeater, software server, etc. Gaining a total of 640mb of RAM in the 'Book would most likely keep it running well for another couple of years, however OS X 10.4 is on the way and I feel the g3 cpu just won't quite keep up with it. Will think on it.

background

A little about me: I own and operate a Freightliner Century Class tractor and am leased to a large refrigerated carrier (this means i haul frozen/temperature controlled stuff regularly). The nice thing about pulling a reefer trailer is that you don't have to haul temp controlled freight all the time (with the reefer unit off, it's a regular trailer). To further illustrate the point, I have double the chances of getting reloaded quickly with the dual-capability trailer. The reefer unit has a temperature range of -20 to +80 fahrenheit. Frozen pizza, anyone?

The world goes around

I have been inquisitive since an early age. It amazes (and delights) me to go to a shipping or receiving facility and seeing how things are made. Driving a truck really does show you economics at work. For instance, going to a plastics facility and having them load the entire 53' trailer in one motion. The plastice bottles (for Coke, Pepsi,
beer, etc) are formed onto pallets and the pallets are lined up inside a raised area on the floor so that the forklift only has to push the entire 53' line of stuff onto the trailer. Aluminum cans are done the same way.

jumped right in

Howdy, y'all!
I'm new to this blog thing, so y'all bear with me for a few. I have an iBook and sometimes a linux powered intel laptop in my truck (along with a router to join 'em and firewire drives of all types). Get online wirelessly at most major truckstop chains (ain't technology wonderful?) when i stop for the night. Check out www.truckstop.net for a sampling.