Personally, I prefer to go un-wired as well. Though I will admit to looking forward to hitting a coffee shop after the trip to catch up and recharge. ;-)

I guess it's a good idea for those that want to use it but people *don't* have to use it just because it's there. I can't understand why anyone would feel compelled to 'lug' their mobile gear with them just because the campsite has a Wi-Fi facility

It's a matter of self control. Just because you brought it and might find a very worthwhile quick use or two for it while at the campsite doesn't mean you have to feel weight from it.

Mobile devices are what you make of them, at a campsite or elsewhere.

Nobody said you had to check your email or start your IM client of choice.

Use it to check on the weather for tomorrow, research the area you're in, etc... then put the fricking thing down.

I would prefer to remain on the grid, no matter what, thank you! I was quite depressed on the cruise ship last year, because their wireless was so expensive that I stayed away, and the entertainment...well, I suppose there are others who want to gamble, learn to cha-cha or watch scantily-clad dancers dangle their bits (and I don't mean the cool ones-zeros kinds) from fake jail cell bars, but no thanks. I wasn't the only one who quite happily stopped in a little establishment on Grand Cayman to check email for a nominal fee before hitting the beach.

We're talking about a Hawaiian cruise next year. That's twice as long as last year's. I supposed I'd better start saving for the exorbitant internet costs now; there's no way I could last without some REAL ENTERTAINMENT.

Before someone thinks I'm just completely hopeless, I DID go on excursions at every stop, and they were quite fun. However, the days at sea were just boring, boring, boring!

Did a lot of backpacking in the Sierras when I lived in Los Angeles. Gadgets were an absolute no-no. The idea was to get away from civilization completely for a few days and find places so quiet that you could hear nothing but the wind and your own pulse in your eardrums. Those were refreshing breaks from the noise and pace of the city!

Minimage, I completely understand. We went on a cruise a few years ago (stopped in Jamaica, Cancun, and were suppose to go to one other but couldn't because of bad seas) and the days at sea were VERY boring. The worst part about it was they had a self-serve, soft serve ice cream machine there... that was pretty much what I did while we were at sea... eat ice cream. I could have really used a distraction. Plus, I was I think 17 at the time, so I couldn't go do anything really.

That being said... I think it would depend on the type of camping for me. If it's light and easy camping in a camp ground or something, I'd probably bring my Nokia N800 with me, since I usually have that in my purse with me all the time anyway. If we were doing real, down and dirty camping, I might bring it with me to get out there but that and my phone would stay safe in the car for the trip and I could check them when I got back. The N800 would probably be helpful in finding our way to said camping areas on the way, so I'd love to have it then.

My tablet pc though? Camping? Heck no! I spent too much on this and love my tablet pc way too much to even RISK it being dirty, wet, or damaged in any way, shape, or form. The N800 only cost me about $400, which is fairly replaceable if something were to happen to it. The $1600 tablet pc isn't.

I'd love to have net-enabled PC camping capability as I could get out there more.

The problem currently is that it's way too heavy to be pleasant except in a very limited ranging of camping-like activities...not "really" camping, but "camping" near a vehicle. I expect the technology to be ready next year, though, to allow at least limited-hour usage for a fair number of days (power being the problem).

If I can conduct life from secluded spots, and conveniently use the net to arrange resupplies, it will be much more feasible to go out and stay out a while. The same setup should make life nicer in vehicle-related camping too but a larger screen will of course be possible.