How about going back to basic Internet technology as an approach to help solve this? Most of us know about the host file. Let's spread the word about what can be achieved with that. It can help reduce many threats, including tracking. And it's totally platform independent. Here is an example of what can be done easily for most people: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm Download it, read a bit and get rid of ads, banners, 3rd party Cookies, 3rd party page counters, web bugs, and even most hijackers. Many others can be found. Heck, you could even manage it yourself like I used to back then if you are masochist. The only drawback is that it makes some pages look real ugly. But then, do you actually need to go there if it is so riddled with garbage?

Vote me in. Nowhere near an extremist here. But I agree to get rid of Facebook!

I just can't believe this shit anymore. As a user, you can't even delete your profile from Facebook. You can only inactivate it. Right there, I have a BIG problem. On top of that they make all your personal information available to anyone without you knowing about it with all those apps, and they change user privacy settings to make them more confusing to users, all of these being TOTALLY UNNACEPTABLE. And now Facebook, to be politically correct, responds affirmatively to terrorists when it does not even do that to it's own users!?!?!?!? I used to have a problem with Facebook. Now, I have a very serious issue! Lack of trust is one thing. Political correctness (which I can't give a shit about) is another thing. But siding with and acknowledging terrorists is not acceptable in my book. I can only hope social networking can work out a proper balance. But knowing human nature as I do, it's not likely. May be we should get rid of the whole social networking thing altogether.

Damn! April 1st was almost 2 months ago.

Get a life. The spot is real. I know! Just get hold of it. It's not that hard to find... ;)

As far as I'm concerned, there are 2 gadgets I'll always have with me. First, a PDA. This can hold all of your vital informations, especially contacts in case of some emergency, as well as notes and many other things. Second is a GPS, so you know where you are and can plan where you want to be. Then, there are 4 more I like to have handy. Third would be a laptop or some lightweight computer, so I can offload stuff from the PDA or GPS or (4th device) a digital camera as well as using the GPS software to update its maps. Fourth, a digital camera with enough digital cards to old all your stuff unless you know you can offload somewhere along the way. Fifth is a battery charger that can handle most of the devices. Sixth and last, a tri-mode cell phone which can work worldwide. Never had one of those yet though ;(!

Keep in mind, the main problems with backpacking tech is power and carrying them (weight). Try to get you gear with similar power requirements. This makes it a lot easier. Many of those items comes with international power supplies that will power the devices anywhere provided you have the adapter to convert it's own power supply plug to the wall standard used where you are going.

Personally, I'd rather wash my shirts and shorts more often than do without some of this tech gear.