Technology - part 2

A couple more thoughts about technology.

You see very few incandescent light bulbs in Botswana.  Almost every light fixture seems to use the low voltage florescent bulbs that are becoming more popular in Canada.  The claim is that these bulbs last 5 years and use 20% of the electricity of the incandescent bulb.  All very important in a country that has limited means of generating electricity and is beginning to face a power crunch like other parts of the world.

As for ourselves, we are in need for power on a somewhat regular basis.  My laptop needs to be re-charged; I also have a digital SLR camera; Iain has a digital SLR camera and an IPod; Binnie has a digital camera; Dave, Iain and Bella share (!) an e-reader.  It is great to note that every one of our battery chargers, 6 in total, has the ability to work on either 110 or 220 power supply.  The latter is what is used in Botswana.  All that is needed is an adapter for the end of the plugs.  The 3-prong North American plugs don’t fit the receptacles used in Botswana, and Europe for that matter.  Years ago I bought an adapter that slides over the end of our type of plug and then plugs into the wall socket.

The end result is that we have been powered up quite easily so far for this trip and all are devices have been fully functional.

Lastly, I should add that although I have not used it myself, I have been quite taken with the e-reader (Kobo).   Every time there seems to be downtime Dave or one of the kids is ready a “book”.  For most of the 3 hour car trip yesterday Dave was reading away.  Very compact, long battery life and can hold almost unlimited number of books.  Much better than carting around numerous paperback books.  Something I can see adding to our own inventory of electronic gear.  Albeit I am sure I will be criticized by my esteemed technophile colleague back at work (A.G.) for taking too much time to research a product before actually buying.  It is noted that we do have a new lap top computer and digital camera for this trip and both are working very well and up to expectations!