Thoughts on laptop storage

[Flashback]

I'm going to be doing PER-SYD-CHC-WLG-MEL-PER in July spread over a period of 10 days (holiday, first one in quite some time!).

PER-SYD-CHC was initially a straighthrough, with a 2 hour stop in SYD
WLG-MEL-PER was the same, with a 2 hour stop in MEL

I've now got to schedule in a day's work in SYD on the way and MEL on the way back (thanks Qantas, I rang up and they changed the flights and didn't charge me any points (I'm a lowly QC PS) as I'm still 'in transit' even though both are overnight stays now rather than 2 hour transits.).

Here's my dilemma. I need the use of my laptop in both SYD & MEL, however once I hit NZ I will be doing a Contiki tour (which as most people would know is either twin/quad share), so I worry about the 'security' of my notebook.

What would be the recommended way to approach? Stow away in my suitcase, and don't let anyone know it's there?

Box up, and courier to my hotel in Melb to hold for me till I get there?

Thoughts / comments appreciated from anyone who has had to do similar before!

 

[littl_flier]

I only know a bit about Contiki tours in Europe but I would be suprised if you were the only one in this situation. Contiki Europe market their product as having the ability to charge Ipods on the buses and mentions laptop portability.

I presume you'll be travelling with a camera, ipod and phone so it comes down to how comfortable you are with stowing it in you're suitcase.

To be honest, I would be more woried about storing it at the hotel in Melbourne when you're not in the country than having it with you. It also depends on how dispensable your laptop is: will the company replace it easily, or is of significance? (as an aside, in my company its not unheard for people to go through 4 laptops in 12 months ).

Most of all, enjoy the party. As my senior manager described it to me "it's just a week of sex and alcohol" but I think she's just jealous she's almost too old for one.

 

[Flashback]

To be honest, I would be more woried about storing it at the hotel in Melbourne when you're not in the country than having it with you. It also depends on how dispensable your laptop is: will the company replace it easily, or is of significance? (as an aside, in my company its not unheard for people to go through 4 laptops in 12 months ).

Most of all, enjoy the party. As my senior manager described it to me "it's just a week of sex and alcohol" but I think she's just jealous she's almost too old for one.

Yeh.. I was single when I booked the tour, however I now have SWMBO to keep in mind

I am the company, so will I replace it? If I really had to.. Definitely is of significance, but as one of my company's focuses is to provide off-site backups, at least any data stored on the machine would be retrievable. Obviously that doesn't factor in for the person who steals the machine who would have some ability to get information from the machine

 

[vt01]

Yeh.. I was single when I booked the tour, however I now have SWMBO to keep in mind

I am the company, so will I replace it? If I really had to.. Definitely is of significance, but as one of my company's focuses is to provide off-site backups, at least any data stored on the machine would be retrievable. Obviously that doesn't factor in for the person who steals the machine who would have some ability to get information from the machine

Many years ago I took my laptop on a contiki tour in the US. Most of the hotels we stayed in had safes so I used those. When they didn't, I just locked it in my bag. On the bus I just put it overhead. I didn't have a problem.
As for the data, make sure you set a power on and harddisk password (mine are both the same and also company policy). This provides some sort of protection against easy access.

 

[Mal]

I wouldn't take the laptop to NZ. Never ship it in luggage either.

Shipping for storage at your hotel is risky too.

Hmmm. Choice of many evils. At the least, consider that if you drag it with you over to NZ it's an extra ~4Kg and luggage space you've gotta drag around (and worry about).

 

[serfty]

I'd take it; just be as careful with it as you need to with conversations with SWMBO.

At least you can use the free WiFi in the QP's. (V. Useful last Sat. in AKL when the LAN internet was down, but WiFI available.)

 

[littl_flier]

I just googled some search phrases and on the Contiki noticeboard/chat room it mentions from a Contiki participant that they felt safe in the Hotels, but if you're in Hostels extra care is needed. Most hostels have some lockers so I suggest investing the extra dollars at putting it in these when you can.

Yeh.. I was single when I booked the tour, however I now have SWMBO to keep in mind

 

[Mal]

I just googled some search phrases and on the Contiki noticeboard/chat room it mentions from a Contiki participant that they felt safe in the Hotels, but if you're in Hostels extra care is needed. Most hostels have some lockers so I suggest investing the extra dollars at putting it in these when you can.

It's been (more than) a few years since I did my Contiki of Southern NZ - Actually the same hallowed path that Flashware will be taking. He'll have good fun

The hotels were pretty old, but yes felt fairly safe. NZ isn't really a hotbed of crime in most of the areas you visit. We stayed in one hostel (Queenstown) and yep, not as safe in the scheme of things.

Actually, we were sharing the hostel with a University group. Very shifty group actually (Won't name the university). A few bad things happened there (mainly between the uni students only) - but we still felt relatively safe.

 

[Flashback]

It's been (more than) a few years since I did my Contiki of Southern NZ - Actually the same hallowed path that Flashware will be taking. He'll have good fun

The hotels were pretty old, but yes felt fairly safe. NZ isn't really a hotbed of crime in most of the areas you visit. We stayed in one hostel (Queenstown) and yep, not as safe in the scheme of things.

Actually, we were sharing the hostel with a University group. Very shifty group actually (Won't name the university). A few bad things happened there (mainly between the uni students only) - but we still felt relatively safe.

Thanks for the insight Mal.. Having good fun is the name of the game!

Shall be going for the locked storage, where possible - and of course making sure my insurance on the beast is covered internationally (which it was last time I checked)

 

[Flashback]

Looks like I now have a colleague flying over to SYD with me (who is then going back to PER), and is almost coming over to MEL to do some work with me on my way back - so I'll be getting him to take it back to PER and then over to MEL with him

Thanks for the suggestions, can keep it in mind for if I ever get holidays again..

 

[Mal]

How did this all pan out? Laptop all safe?

(and how was Contiki?)

 

[Flashback]

Contiki was awesome, great people and lots to do!

Ended up caving in, took the laptop with me. Just kept it in my suitcase (which had a combo lock) and had no problems at all

 

[albatross710]

For notebook access seeing as you only have to do 2 days of work, maybe you don't actually need the whole PC.

Consider taking a flash drive with your applications and data which can be plugged into a PC at yoru clients' sites or internet terminal.

Alternatively, leave your laptop at the office and access the desktop via remote access. can someone just turn it on and connect t to the internet when youneed to use it.

Seems like a lo of mental overhead to have to deal with when you are supposed to be on a holiday.