One of the most often requested “Back Page” editorial “reprints” is the collection we did in 2007, entitled, “Cool Tools for the Road”. In this issue of Brigada, we reprint that list exactly as it appeared in 2007, with the hopes that Brigada participants will help us *refresh* the list with up-to-date offerings, as needed. In addition, we didn’t have the “comment” feature in 2007, so we’re hoping that with our interactivity, the list will become even more valuable than it was before. What’s more, the list is being referenced in at least one book, designed especially for parents of missionaries. We’ll be sure to feature the book once it’s available. But for now, let’s refine this list as best we can, so it’ll be the most effective list ever of “cool tools for the road”!
[Update: You can now view these Cool Tools in one easy post by clicking to www.brigada.org/cooltools . From that page, it’s easy to print them or get the “big picture.”]
Doug,
My bro and Dad just did an intense 3-day 25 mile hike in some rough territory in CO. Knowing they’d be out of cell phone range they looked for an alternative way to keep in touch. Dad found a nifty little item called SPOT that’s about the size of a cell phone and can be used to send “OK” messages or signal from help anyplace there is a clear sky. It also has a web interface that showed us exactly where they were on a Google map through our web-browser. I think between the device and the service it would cost about $300/year, but Dad has subsequently used it climbing some 14K FT mountains so it just keeps making itself cheaper. For guys like you who get into rough territory on occasion it might be a bargain: http://www.findmespot.com/Home.aspx It can be purchase it through Amazon and other spot.
KK and many others that have contributed so far, these are awesome ideas that are *so* improving the value of these Cool Tools. Thanks for taking time to help everyone do their jobs more effectively, while staying in touch and staying healthy too!
Doug