Thomas, you mention using the netBook for email on the ship, but not for
Websurfing. How was that?
>
> Date: 27 Jun 2009 17:00:54 +0000
> From: Thomas F. VAN DER ZIJDEN <address truncated>
> Subject: Reading the Digest on a vintage netBook from a cruise ship
>
> Dear all,
>
> As you read this message I will be back home, but last two weeks I have been on a cruise ship, the Celebrity summit, sailing the Mediterranean sea. > One of the many details I found impressive of it, is that it features WiFi internet connection that link your computer by satellite to the Internet. >
> There were prepaid minute packages available, but it was also possible to send your e-mail at a minute rate of $0.65 per minute, which I find a very good price. A satellite connection is quite slow the Psion sent its e-mail at the same speed as with the good old travel modem. >
> Also very impressive: the log-in page worked flawlessly with the Psion and there was automated forwarding of the SMTP-server.
>
> The ship had its own GSM-network that also connects to the satellite and thanks to the EU this costed only EUR 0.45 per minute, whereas the phone in the room costed $7.95 per minute.
> The phone connections by satellite were however quite unreliable with many break-ups and a few seonds delay on the line.
>
> It was also fun to see, that many passengers used Acers, Asus and other UMPC's. They are very common nowadays.
>
> Yours truly,
>
> Thomas van der Zijden
______________________________
Chris Cooper
Science writer and editor
44 (0) 1234 300428 (home)
44 (0) 7929 491226 (mobile)
16 Orchard Street
Kempston
Bedfordshire
MK42 7JB
______________________________