Over the past year, I have been doing a lot of thinking about machine learning, artificial intelligence, and what it means to technology and humanity. The creation of the Future of Life organization and some of the issues they are bringing to light are areas I have concerns also. I have decided that I would like to contribute back to the evolving topic, and will start to use this blog to collect and publish those ideas. Welcome to any new folks that happen share in the conversation.
~ CsB
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Favorite Travel Apps - The Staples
Before you leave home on a big trip, take some time to loadup your smartphone with some applications to help you on your travels.
Remember that data service may not be available, or may be very expensive. Most of these apps assume no cellular data service, or that you will have infrequent access your lodging or a public internet location.
Here is a link to the list on my travel site.
Category - File / trip information storage
Google Drive (iOS, Android), Dropbox (iOS, Android), etc
OS: Apple/iOS, Android, Windows
A cloud file solution is becoming a must have for getting things done in the internet world, and is becoming a must-have for traveling also. Create a folder for all of your travel information, plans, reservations, photocopies of train tickets, plane tickets, and passports. Copies of everything you need. Now that you have your whole trip stored in the cloud, go into the mobile app and make the folder "available offline" so that it will story copies locally on your mobile device. Now you have a copy of everything you need and doesn't need a data connection. However, if you loose your phone, you can get to your information from any public internet by logging into the cloud storage provider's web access.
This will also be a good place you can stash picture along the way, if you have access to reasonably fast internet on occasion during your travels.
Finally, share the folder! If you have multiple travelers this is a easy way to share all the trip information with them!
OS: Apple/iOS
Free GPS is a must have for any traveler. Sure, there are a lot of cool nav programs out there, but this program has a different purpose when traveling. It is your safety net to always find your way home or to the train station. Free GPS works without any data service, and gives you a direction to go to get to a waypoint. When you arrive at a new location, drop a waypoint at the train station or place where you will be leaving. When you get to where you are staying, drop another waypoint there. Now, when ever you need to get your bearings, or need to find your way home, load up Free GPS, select which of your waypoints you want to go to, and start walking. If you are traveling with others or children, everyone should have this app on their phone (tablet, or smart device), and you should all set a waypoint rendezvous point when you first enter a city. That way, if anyone gets lost, they can use Free GPS to find their way to the rendezvous point. Most kids can even follow a program this simple to make there way to the safe point.
Polaris Navigation GPS
OS: Android
Polaris is a more sophisticated app, but looks to have similar features to Free GPS to serve similar purposes. Android alternative.
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
OpenSignal is a handy app for finding WIFI hotspots within range of your phone. It monitors the WIFI signals in the area, and allows you to pull information about each of them. Handy app to have if you are traveling in a city and need to scan for possible open WIFI hotspots in the area to use. It also allows you to test the speed of a connection, including cellular data.
WIFI Finder
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
WIFI Finder is another very handy tool for finding WIFI hotspots. Instead of scanning for signals and trying hotspots until you find one that works, WIFI finder takes a different approach. It has a database of user submitted hotspots, and given your location, can tell you where the nearest one is. It allows you to update or add WIFI spots that you find along your travels for other users.
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
Visual translation app which has an offline mode. Take a picture with your camera of a sign, plaqard, or other big font text, and the app will do a pretty good job of translating it for you.
Google Translate
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
Voice translation app that has gotten pretty good reviews. I haven't tried it myself, but will on an upcoming trip. To use it offline, you have to buy the app (~$3)
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
Google Maps is my go-to navigation program. It now supports offline maps and will do walking, biking and driving navigation. Make sure to download the maps before you leave home, or make sure you can change out maps where you have WIFI. Can consume a notable amount of space on your portable device.
NavFree (Europe)
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
Pretty good free navigation software for driving. Has offline maps that are sourced by the openmaps initiative. Seems to work reasonably well and have a decent interface. I recommend using the USA version around home to get used to it. For Android, make sure that you get the "NavFree" app, not the USA one. The latter allows you to download maps inside of it for Europe and other countries. For iOS, it looks like there is a different app each country, so download accordingly
MetrO
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
The original, and still best Metro / Underground navigation app. It is very handy to be able to have this app calculate your route on the subway, especially for some of the larger Europe cities. Important when you are pressed for time, don't want to attract attention in a crowded subway with a map, or realized that you just got on the wrong train :). It is a little hard to get installed. The links take you to the installation information page.
DB Navigator
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
One of the best Europe train apps. Downloads schedules for offline use. Has timetables and trip routing and scheduling tools. Even if you have your plans scheduled, handy to have in case there is a hiccup in your plans. Here is Rick Steve's guide to using it.
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
Mobily Trip is a pretty high rated travel journal app. Works offline, and allows you to take pictures, record thoughts, and track your location through all your adventures. It also supports posting to many social applications. I haven't tried it, but will be on my next trip.
GeoTracker
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
GeoTracker is a pretty neat app for recording where you go, similar to how GPS navigation devices record tracks and waypoints. This will record a track on your device for later adding to your record, journal, or data for the trip. It also allows you to export the recorded data to Google Earth and other mapping software so you can overlay your trip.
Saga
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
Saga is a "life logging" application. It runs in the background and records your location and other things that are going on (like are you using your phone, etc). From that, it deduces what you are doing, tracks trends, etc and gives you a personal log of what you have been doing. I haven't used it for traveling, but could be interesting :). I have not tried it when my phone is mostly offline.
Chronos
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
Chronos is another life logging app. Works a little differently, with more dependence on using their website, but also might be an interesting option.
Rove
OS: Apple/iOS
I have not tried Rove, but it looks like a life logging application focused on travel adventures. Could be an interesting option. iOS only at this point.
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
Interesting take on the travel guide. I haven't tried it, but might on my next trip. Idea is that locals generate the recommendations for their cities, giving you the locals view, recommendations, and tips. Cost money ($4 per city).
Trip Advisor City Guides
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
Trip Advisor is one of the most popular travel recommendation site on the net. They have created offline city guides for many major cities. Install the app above, and it will help you download guides for each city you are visiting.
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
Moves is a activity recorder for your phone. Similar to a FitBit. You are going to do a lot of walking, and you might want to record it :). May not be needed if you use one of the other journal apps like GeoTracker
Remember that data service may not be available, or may be very expensive. Most of these apps assume no cellular data service, or that you will have infrequent access your lodging or a public internet location.
Here is a link to the list on my travel site.
Category - File / trip information storage
Google Drive (iOS, Android), Dropbox (iOS, Android), etc
OS: Apple/iOS, Android, Windows
A cloud file solution is becoming a must have for getting things done in the internet world, and is becoming a must-have for traveling also. Create a folder for all of your travel information, plans, reservations, photocopies of train tickets, plane tickets, and passports. Copies of everything you need. Now that you have your whole trip stored in the cloud, go into the mobile app and make the folder "available offline" so that it will story copies locally on your mobile device. Now you have a copy of everything you need and doesn't need a data connection. However, if you loose your phone, you can get to your information from any public internet by logging into the cloud storage provider's web access.
This will also be a good place you can stash picture along the way, if you have access to reasonably fast internet on occasion during your travels.
Finally, share the folder! If you have multiple travelers this is a easy way to share all the trip information with them!
Category - Basic waypoint and nav
Free GPSOS: Apple/iOS
Free GPS is a must have for any traveler. Sure, there are a lot of cool nav programs out there, but this program has a different purpose when traveling. It is your safety net to always find your way home or to the train station. Free GPS works without any data service, and gives you a direction to go to get to a waypoint. When you arrive at a new location, drop a waypoint at the train station or place where you will be leaving. When you get to where you are staying, drop another waypoint there. Now, when ever you need to get your bearings, or need to find your way home, load up Free GPS, select which of your waypoints you want to go to, and start walking. If you are traveling with others or children, everyone should have this app on their phone (tablet, or smart device), and you should all set a waypoint rendezvous point when you first enter a city. That way, if anyone gets lost, they can use Free GPS to find their way to the rendezvous point. Most kids can even follow a program this simple to make there way to the safe point.
Polaris Navigation GPS
OS: Android
Polaris is a more sophisticated app, but looks to have similar features to Free GPS to serve similar purposes. Android alternative.
Category - WIFI Finding
OpenSignalOS: Android, Apple/iOS
OpenSignal is a handy app for finding WIFI hotspots within range of your phone. It monitors the WIFI signals in the area, and allows you to pull information about each of them. Handy app to have if you are traveling in a city and need to scan for possible open WIFI hotspots in the area to use. It also allows you to test the speed of a connection, including cellular data.
WIFI Finder
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
WIFI Finder is another very handy tool for finding WIFI hotspots. Instead of scanning for signals and trying hotspots until you find one that works, WIFI finder takes a different approach. It has a database of user submitted hotspots, and given your location, can tell you where the nearest one is. It allows you to update or add WIFI spots that you find along your travels for other users.
Category - Language
Word LenseOS: Android, Apple/iOS
Visual translation app which has an offline mode. Take a picture with your camera of a sign, plaqard, or other big font text, and the app will do a pretty good job of translating it for you.
Google Translate
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
One of the best known translation apps now has a offline mode. Consider this a must have. Make sure that you download the dictionaries before you leave your home for all the languages you expect to encounter.
Category - Navigation
Google MapsOS: Android, Apple/iOS
Google Maps is my go-to navigation program. It now supports offline maps and will do walking, biking and driving navigation. Make sure to download the maps before you leave home, or make sure you can change out maps where you have WIFI. Can consume a notable amount of space on your portable device.
NavFree (Europe)
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
Pretty good free navigation software for driving. Has offline maps that are sourced by the openmaps initiative. Seems to work reasonably well and have a decent interface. I recommend using the USA version around home to get used to it. For Android, make sure that you get the "NavFree" app, not the USA one. The latter allows you to download maps inside of it for Europe and other countries. For iOS, it looks like there is a different app each country, so download accordingly
MetrO
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
The original, and still best Metro / Underground navigation app. It is very handy to be able to have this app calculate your route on the subway, especially for some of the larger Europe cities. Important when you are pressed for time, don't want to attract attention in a crowded subway with a map, or realized that you just got on the wrong train :). It is a little hard to get installed. The links take you to the installation information page.
DB Navigator
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
One of the best Europe train apps. Downloads schedules for offline use. Has timetables and trip routing and scheduling tools. Even if you have your plans scheduled, handy to have in case there is a hiccup in your plans. Here is Rick Steve's guide to using it.
Category - Journal
Mobily TripOS: Android, Apple/iOS
Mobily Trip is a pretty high rated travel journal app. Works offline, and allows you to take pictures, record thoughts, and track your location through all your adventures. It also supports posting to many social applications. I haven't tried it, but will be on my next trip.
GeoTracker
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
GeoTracker is a pretty neat app for recording where you go, similar to how GPS navigation devices record tracks and waypoints. This will record a track on your device for later adding to your record, journal, or data for the trip. It also allows you to export the recorded data to Google Earth and other mapping software so you can overlay your trip.
Saga
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
Saga is a "life logging" application. It runs in the background and records your location and other things that are going on (like are you using your phone, etc). From that, it deduces what you are doing, tracks trends, etc and gives you a personal log of what you have been doing. I haven't used it for traveling, but could be interesting :). I have not tried it when my phone is mostly offline.
Chronos
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
Chronos is another life logging app. Works a little differently, with more dependence on using their website, but also might be an interesting option.
Rove
OS: Apple/iOS
I have not tried Rove, but it looks like a life logging application focused on travel adventures. Could be an interesting option. iOS only at this point.
Category - Recommendation / Guide
Spotted by LocalsOS: Android, Apple/iOS
Interesting take on the travel guide. I haven't tried it, but might on my next trip. Idea is that locals generate the recommendations for their cities, giving you the locals view, recommendations, and tips. Cost money ($4 per city).
Trip Advisor City Guides
OS: Android, Apple/iOS
Trip Advisor is one of the most popular travel recommendation site on the net. They have created offline city guides for many major cities. Install the app above, and it will help you download guides for each city you are visiting.
Category - Health
MovesOS: Android, Apple/iOS
Moves is a activity recorder for your phone. Similar to a FitBit. You are going to do a lot of walking, and you might want to record it :). May not be needed if you use one of the other journal apps like GeoTracker
Friday, November 22, 2013
AeroFS Officially Launched - One to try for file sync and share
Today, one of my favorite "cloud" file sync, AeroFS solutions just launched. I have been a beta tester on the program for about a year, and successfully maintained a directory sync between two of my computers. Overally, the program works well, and is worth taking a look at.
You may have used programs like Dropbox, SkyDrive Google drive to be able to sync data between multiple computers, and share files with others. All of these solutions, however, force you to keep your data on the service's servers. This has a few notable effects. First, you have to trust the security of the service provider. Second, you are subject to the terms of the service provider, and any monitoring they may perform or allow. Finally, it usually comes with limits on capacity or bandwidth. Most of us, however, have made the compromise on these things to get access to the services, as it is quite convenient to be able to access data from the Internet and share files easily with others.
All of that changes with something like AeroFS. It provides similar functionality to the other big services, but instead of you having to store your data on their servers, it is simple shared from your computer directly. You maintain control of your data at all times, and there are no capacity limits. In addition, several users have reported that the sync performance between machines on the same LAN (like your home) is significantly better than the other services. Finally, for anyone that feels strongly about privacy, this is a better solution than the truely "cloud" based services.
AeroFS also offers a private cloud version for businesses with firewalls and other protections which limit usage of internet-base storage and file systems.
So I recommend that you give AeroFS a look. I expect it will be an up and coming star.
http://www.aerofs.com
You may have used programs like Dropbox, SkyDrive Google drive to be able to sync data between multiple computers, and share files with others. All of these solutions, however, force you to keep your data on the service's servers. This has a few notable effects. First, you have to trust the security of the service provider. Second, you are subject to the terms of the service provider, and any monitoring they may perform or allow. Finally, it usually comes with limits on capacity or bandwidth. Most of us, however, have made the compromise on these things to get access to the services, as it is quite convenient to be able to access data from the Internet and share files easily with others.
All of that changes with something like AeroFS. It provides similar functionality to the other big services, but instead of you having to store your data on their servers, it is simple shared from your computer directly. You maintain control of your data at all times, and there are no capacity limits. In addition, several users have reported that the sync performance between machines on the same LAN (like your home) is significantly better than the other services. Finally, for anyone that feels strongly about privacy, this is a better solution than the truely "cloud" based services.
AeroFS also offers a private cloud version for businesses with firewalls and other protections which limit usage of internet-base storage and file systems.
So I recommend that you give AeroFS a look. I expect it will be an up and coming star.
http://www.aerofs.com
Sunday, September 1, 2013
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