Real Actual Advise on topic (Score 1)

Unless I was really rich, and traveling only to international hotels, I'd leave any spiffy tech gear at home. I backpacked for 9 months in Europe, Asia, and Australia, and I spent the first month getting ride of junk I brought with me that I didn't need. It'll be heavy, you'll have to worry about it getting wet, it'll be a theft magnet, and you'll look like an idiot using nerd-toys costing more the per-capita GNP in some countries. It'll be isolating, and distracting from the real reason you're traveling. Sorry. I don't mean to be a freak, but interact with the place your in.

Everywhere in Europe, Oz, and probably South America is within access to an internet cafe, which will work way better than any gipsy rigged wireless set up. Most places have better than dialup. I would mail disposable camaras or 35mm film (APS was harder to come by in some parts in 98 -- maybe not anymore) to someone back home who can scan them in. If you want to do the rest yourself, have them upload the images to your hosting service, or freedrive.com.

6 months seems like a lot longer than it is. My 4 month trip lasted 9 months. I used e-mail, and (very minimally) a free homepage, so my family could check where I was and what I was up to. It was so much fun, I can't wait to go again. Actually, I'm going to Peru this summer. I hope you have a great time on the road. PS: my dorky website that I made after I got home is at http://members.theglobe.com/chrisbare/. PPS: There's more bullshit advice where this came from, if you're sick enough to ask.

Have Fun!