Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
7/11/2008 – The Weekly Round Up : Fish Joins Mountainsmith's Design Team : Locks : FBOweb : TSA Sells Ads Space : Mountainsmith Amp : Less Seats Fly
This week the most discussed topic on Flying With Fish was Election Day in the United States. This topic has nothing to do with photography and even less to do with travel, but it is a topic I feel strongly about. I hope you all went out and voted. I don't care whom you voted for, as long as you let your voice be heard! The two posts on Election Day were these:
4/11/2008 – U.S. Election Day : GO VOTE!
4/11/2008 – Do You Need Some Incentive To Vote Aside From Democracy? How About Free Coffee From Starbucks?
Aside from Election Day the exciting news on Flying With Fish was being asked to join Mountainsmith's Design Board. Mountainsmith has recognized my completely unsolicited enjoyment of their gear and asked me to pitch in. I head off to Golden, Colorado, in Mid-December for the first Design Board meeting. For more info, click here :
7/11/2008 – Flying With Fish To Join Mountainsmith's Design Board
Last week kicked off discussing the advantages to using a combination lock over a key lock on your bags. It may seem trivial, but believe it or not, combination locks can provide you with some significant advantages for peace of mind. Interested in finding out why you should ditch your key locks for combination locks? Check here:
3/11/2008 – Baggage Locks : Keys vs Combination
Over the past year the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has experimented with allowing the sale of advertising on TSA security checkpoint equipment, such as security bins and the tables before the x-ray machine. I personally see this as something that needs to be discontinued. TSA checkpoints are federally controlled security area, and should be free from advertising and endorsements. Read more on this topic in this entry:
5/11/2008 – Ads At TSA Airport Security Checkpoints : Should They Be For Sale?
What can you do once you've planned your camera and lens selection, researched the perfect bag then discover the flights you researched earlier in the year no longer exist? With 59.7-million fewer seats flying in the 4th quarter of 2008 this can be tricky. For some tips on how to plan your next journey click here:
6/11/2008 – Packed To Travel But No Seats To Be Found?
This week's iPhone 'App' Of the Week, FBO Web Flight Tracker, is a fun fight-tracking tool for 'geeks.' FBO Web Flight Tracker allows you to track fights by tail number, airport, specific flight and find out where they are in the sky on a real-time map, as well as their altitude and estimated time remaining in flight. This iPhone 'App' does require slightly more than basic knowledge to use properly. Sound like a fun tool you want to explore? Check here:
6/11/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : FBO Web Flight Tracker
My quest to find the ideal mobile phone belt holster came to a stop last year on the second floor of the Kittery Trading Post, in Kittery, Maine, while shopping for a pair of pants. While browsing the store I came upon the Mountainsmith Amp mobile phone holster and I never looked back. Since I started using the Mountainsmith Amp I have never knocked my phone out, despite being banged my cameras, lenses, waist packs, belt pouches, having climbed over, on and through objects and flying around the world a few times. To read more about this durable, reliable and versatile mobile phone holster click this link:
6/11/2008 – Mountainsmith Amp : A Phone Holster For People On The Run
Next week I hope to introduce you to a whole new type of bag, this bag I should mention is NOT a Mountainsmith bag. From what I have seen this new bag looks to be a highly customizable. The bag I'll be reviewing should arrive on Monday and be packed with gear by Monday night. This bag was designed for use by wildlife photographers, and while I see incredible potential for sports photographers, for my purposes, I see this bag as a fantastic bag for traveling with a complete compact mobile lighting kit. So what is this new bag I'll be one of the first to use in the field? You'll need to check in next week to find out!
Happy Flying!
Showing posts with label iphone app. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iphone app. Show all posts
07 November 2008
06 November 2008
iPhone 'App' Of The Week : FBO Web Flight Tracker
Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
6/11/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : FBO Web Flight Tracker
I have written about a few iPhone 'Apps' in the past that track flights, or have the ability to track flights, and this week I'll introduce you to a unique iPhone 'App' that tracks flights, with a twist.
Recently I have been using a newly released flight tracker for the iPhone, FBO Web Flight Tracker. When I saw this flight tracker I had to download it, as I am very familiar with using FBO Web's online flight tracking at www.fboweb.com.
What sets FBO Web Flight Tracker apart from other iPhone 'Apps' that can track flights is the information it provides you. This flight tracker is not really designed for those who are waiting to pick up a friend at the airport; this tracker is really aimed at the geeks who like to know exactly what is happening with a flight.
In order to use FBO Web you need to have some knowledge of how to search for specific codes and how to read them. An example of this is searching for flights from Kansas City (MCI) to Reagan National Airport in DC (DCA) you can't search for US Airways Flight 3430; you need to search for RPA3430. Why RPA3430 and not US3430? Because this flight is operated by Republic Airways (RPA) for US Airways. You can however search the flight by airport.
When using most flight trackers you need to enter an airlines two-character code, KL = KLM, B6 = Jet Blue, CX = Cathay Pacific, AC = Air Canada, etc etc etc. This is common. When using FBO Web you need to enter the airline identifier.
Using FBO Web on the iPhone to find the flight location for today's KLM Flight #605 (KLM605) from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) the 'App' provides me with some very detailed information. In a few seconds I am above to see a real-time map visual of where the aircraft is, find out the aircraft is a Boeing 777-200 (772/Q), the flight is at 36,000 feet, and it is due to arrive in 1hr 10min, at 12:29pm EST or 20:29-zulu time.
For personal interest I like seeing the aircraft used on certain routes. Seeing the aircraft allows me to make some adjustments when helping others plan their flights. On the AMS-SFO route KLM uses the Boeing 777-200, 747-400 and McDonnell Douglas MD-11. So matching up certain schedules, with different flying times associated and seating configurations can be valuable information for me.
The draw back to FBO Web, aside from needing to know airline identifiers, is that some airports are referred to by 'tower codes.' Rather than displaying a route of AMS-SFO, FBO Web shows you EHAM-SFO. EHAM is the ICAO identifier for Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport, the more commonly used airport identifiers are the 3-letter IATA codes. I have searched for a few flights where I found myself going over to use Google and find out where a flight was coming from, being unfamiliar with some ICAO identifiers.
The Zulu-time is a good reference. All airline use Zulu-time as a universal time. By using Zulu-time all commercial flights around the world are on the same time schedule, regardless of changes in time-zones or crossing the International Date Line.
There is certainly a learning curve associated with FBO Web's Flight Tracker. Before you decide you want to download it, you should play with it online at www.fboweb.com to become familiar with the interface.
Below are five photos of the FBO Web Flight Tracker iPhone 'App.'
Happy Flying!
--Click Images To Enlarge--
6/11/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : FBO Web Flight Tracker
I have written about a few iPhone 'Apps' in the past that track flights, or have the ability to track flights, and this week I'll introduce you to a unique iPhone 'App' that tracks flights, with a twist.
Recently I have been using a newly released flight tracker for the iPhone, FBO Web Flight Tracker. When I saw this flight tracker I had to download it, as I am very familiar with using FBO Web's online flight tracking at www.fboweb.com.
What sets FBO Web Flight Tracker apart from other iPhone 'Apps' that can track flights is the information it provides you. This flight tracker is not really designed for those who are waiting to pick up a friend at the airport; this tracker is really aimed at the geeks who like to know exactly what is happening with a flight.
In order to use FBO Web you need to have some knowledge of how to search for specific codes and how to read them. An example of this is searching for flights from Kansas City (MCI) to Reagan National Airport in DC (DCA) you can't search for US Airways Flight 3430; you need to search for RPA3430. Why RPA3430 and not US3430? Because this flight is operated by Republic Airways (RPA) for US Airways. You can however search the flight by airport.
When using most flight trackers you need to enter an airlines two-character code, KL = KLM, B6 = Jet Blue, CX = Cathay Pacific, AC = Air Canada, etc etc etc. This is common. When using FBO Web you need to enter the airline identifier.
Using FBO Web on the iPhone to find the flight location for today's KLM Flight #605 (KLM605) from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) the 'App' provides me with some very detailed information. In a few seconds I am above to see a real-time map visual of where the aircraft is, find out the aircraft is a Boeing 777-200 (772/Q), the flight is at 36,000 feet, and it is due to arrive in 1hr 10min, at 12:29pm EST or 20:29-zulu time.
For personal interest I like seeing the aircraft used on certain routes. Seeing the aircraft allows me to make some adjustments when helping others plan their flights. On the AMS-SFO route KLM uses the Boeing 777-200, 747-400 and McDonnell Douglas MD-11. So matching up certain schedules, with different flying times associated and seating configurations can be valuable information for me.
The draw back to FBO Web, aside from needing to know airline identifiers, is that some airports are referred to by 'tower codes.' Rather than displaying a route of AMS-SFO, FBO Web shows you EHAM-SFO. EHAM is the ICAO identifier for Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport, the more commonly used airport identifiers are the 3-letter IATA codes. I have searched for a few flights where I found myself going over to use Google and find out where a flight was coming from, being unfamiliar with some ICAO identifiers.
The Zulu-time is a good reference. All airline use Zulu-time as a universal time. By using Zulu-time all commercial flights around the world are on the same time schedule, regardless of changes in time-zones or crossing the International Date Line.
There is certainly a learning curve associated with FBO Web's Flight Tracker. Before you decide you want to download it, you should play with it online at www.fboweb.com to become familiar with the interface.
Below are five photos of the FBO Web Flight Tracker iPhone 'App.'
Happy Flying!
--Click Images To Enlarge--
30 October 2008
iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Google Earth
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
30/10/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Google Earth
For quite some time people have enjoyed using Google Earth on their computers to check out various locations around the world.
I have been using Google Earth in conjunction with United Airlines as a fun way to search for fares, as I detailed back in January in this post: 09/01/08 - A Fun Way To Search For Airfare Specials
Google Earth is simple, you type in a location and Google Earth shows you an image of the area shot by satellite. I have used Google Earth for quite some time as a way to scout out locations. With Google Earth's ability to show you an area as broad as the entire planet and as narrow as local road makes it an ideal tool to map out where you are, where you are headed, where you want to go.
Having Google Earth on my iPhone allows me to stand in a location and get the big picture on angles I want to explore. Standing on a street corner in a city I don't know anywhere in the world, I can type in my location and find options for locations to create images. This new information found from Google Earth, in my hand, gives me a new perspective on images I can offer my clients.
For travelers who are just interested in where they are, or photographers seeking a real life, photographic image of the map in their hand, Google Earth is an indispensable tool and a vital iPhone App.
This is an iPhone App you should be downloading right now!
Below are six photos of Google Earth for iPhone locating the Eiffel Tower in Paris (its under all the blue boxes in the final photo)
Happy Flying!
--Click Images Below To Enlarge--
30/10/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Google Earth
For quite some time people have enjoyed using Google Earth on their computers to check out various locations around the world.
I have been using Google Earth in conjunction with United Airlines as a fun way to search for fares, as I detailed back in January in this post: 09/01/08 - A Fun Way To Search For Airfare Specials
Google Earth is simple, you type in a location and Google Earth shows you an image of the area shot by satellite. I have used Google Earth for quite some time as a way to scout out locations. With Google Earth's ability to show you an area as broad as the entire planet and as narrow as local road makes it an ideal tool to map out where you are, where you are headed, where you want to go.
Having Google Earth on my iPhone allows me to stand in a location and get the big picture on angles I want to explore. Standing on a street corner in a city I don't know anywhere in the world, I can type in my location and find options for locations to create images. This new information found from Google Earth, in my hand, gives me a new perspective on images I can offer my clients.
For travelers who are just interested in where they are, or photographers seeking a real life, photographic image of the map in their hand, Google Earth is an indispensable tool and a vital iPhone App.
This is an iPhone App you should be downloading right now!
Below are six photos of Google Earth for iPhone locating the Eiffel Tower in Paris (its under all the blue boxes in the final photo)
Happy Flying!
--Click Images Below To Enlarge--
25 September 2008
iPhone 'App' Of The Week : A Free Level
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
25/09/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : A Free Level
This week's iPhone 'App' of the week, A Free Level, may seem whimsical at first, but for a photographer in the field this 'App' can be a fantastic tool!
Many photographers use tripods or heads with a level built into them, however on the road I don't know any ultra compact tripods that have a level integrated into them. To get around my hatred of an uneven horizon in certain architecture photos I downloaded "A Free Level" for my iPhone.
A Free Level is just that....a completely free 'App' that turns your iPhone into a level! Now whenever I am struggling to line up a straight horizon, especially when working with tilt-shift lenses, I whip out my iPhone, place it against the hot-shoe of my camera and get my camera straight and level.
This tool may not be ideal for general travel use, but you can always place it on the tray table in front of you and find out what direction the plane is leaning.
Happy Flying!
--Click Images Below To Enlarge--
25/09/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : A Free Level
This week's iPhone 'App' of the week, A Free Level, may seem whimsical at first, but for a photographer in the field this 'App' can be a fantastic tool!
Many photographers use tripods or heads with a level built into them, however on the road I don't know any ultra compact tripods that have a level integrated into them. To get around my hatred of an uneven horizon in certain architecture photos I downloaded "A Free Level" for my iPhone.
A Free Level is just that....a completely free 'App' that turns your iPhone into a level! Now whenever I am struggling to line up a straight horizon, especially when working with tilt-shift lenses, I whip out my iPhone, place it against the hot-shoe of my camera and get my camera straight and level.
This tool may not be ideal for general travel use, but you can always place it on the tray table in front of you and find out what direction the plane is leaning.
Happy Flying!
--Click Images Below To Enlarge--
18 September 2008
iPhone 'App' Of The Week : TSAwait
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
18/09/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : TSAwait
Last weeks' iPhone 'App' Of The Week was "FAAwait," I thought it only natural to follow up with the iPhone 'App' TSAwait.
TSAwait is a simple 'App' that lets you check average wait times for more than 600 security check point, at more than 400 commercial airports in the United States. The information on Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport security check point times is updated typically more than once a week based on average wait time statistics, and I have found it quite accurate the majority of the time (there is no accounting for certain occurrences that slow everything down).
Using TSAwait is simple, once you launch the 'App' you can click "Update" to see if new statistics have been loaded, or click "Access" to begin searching the airports. Airports are broken down by terminal or security check point making it extremely easy to get an accurate view of your estimated wait time at a given security entrance point.
If you know your airport's code you can enter the three-letter airport code (ie: SFO = San Francisco Int'l Airport, HVN = New Haven, CT, Tweed Airport), or you can search for your airport by state code (ie: NY = New York, WY = Wyoming).
TSAwait is a handy tool to guess how much time you need to allow yourself to get to the airport and get through security to catch your flight. There are other 'Apps' that have airport security wait times, but I have found TSAwait to be the most user friendly, and currently the most frequently updated.
TSAwait will cost you a whopping US$0.99, but for those of you who don't want to break the bank you can also download TSAwait Lite....... that will give you access to 50 random U.S. airports, none of which may be of any help to you.
Below are six screen shots of TSAwait on my iPhone
Happy Flying!
--Click Images To Enlarge--
18/09/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : TSAwait
Last weeks' iPhone 'App' Of The Week was "FAAwait," I thought it only natural to follow up with the iPhone 'App' TSAwait.
TSAwait is a simple 'App' that lets you check average wait times for more than 600 security check point, at more than 400 commercial airports in the United States. The information on Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport security check point times is updated typically more than once a week based on average wait time statistics, and I have found it quite accurate the majority of the time (there is no accounting for certain occurrences that slow everything down).
Using TSAwait is simple, once you launch the 'App' you can click "Update" to see if new statistics have been loaded, or click "Access" to begin searching the airports. Airports are broken down by terminal or security check point making it extremely easy to get an accurate view of your estimated wait time at a given security entrance point.
If you know your airport's code you can enter the three-letter airport code (ie: SFO = San Francisco Int'l Airport, HVN = New Haven, CT, Tweed Airport), or you can search for your airport by state code (ie: NY = New York, WY = Wyoming).
TSAwait is a handy tool to guess how much time you need to allow yourself to get to the airport and get through security to catch your flight. There are other 'Apps' that have airport security wait times, but I have found TSAwait to be the most user friendly, and currently the most frequently updated.
TSAwait will cost you a whopping US$0.99, but for those of you who don't want to break the bank you can also download TSAwait Lite....... that will give you access to 50 random U.S. airports, none of which may be of any help to you.
Below are six screen shots of TSAwait on my iPhone
Happy Flying!
--Click Images To Enlarge--
03 September 2008
iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Coolgorilla's Talking French Phrasebook
Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
3/09/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Coolgorilla's Talking French Phrasebook
With my enjoyment of Lonely Planet's Mandarin Audio Phrasebook (which I reviewed *HERE*) I set out to find other language translation 'Apps' for my iPhone. While looking at a variety of language options, for not only the iPhone but also ink-and-paper phrase books and instructional software, I found myself downloading Coolgorilla's Talking French Phrasebook.
Much like Lonely Planet's audio phrase books, Coolgorilla's talking phrasebooks are equally easy to scroll through to find the phrase you're looking for and effective in practice while on the road. The phrase categories are broken down into sub-categories. Inside each sub-category you'll find the phrase you are looking for. I was easily able to find the bathroom and explain that my baggage had not arrived while quickly scrolling through the Coolgorilla Talking French Phrasebook.
For those not comfortable in attempting to speak a foreign language (or in my case butchering a language) you can both find your phrase and show someone your comment/question in their native language or you can click the audio icon and play and audio clip of your comment/question. I generally attempt to speak (butcher) the language, but sometimes the audio clip is extremely helpful!
There is some overlap between both the Lonely Planet Audio Phrasebook and the Coolgorilla Talking Phrasebook, however they each have their own strengths, and in some areas there is no overlap in languages. Having used the Coolgorilla Talking French Phrasebook I'm now off to download the Coolgorilla Talking German Phrasebook as I start looking at a possible flight through Frankfurt, Germany.
Below are five photos that walk you through the steps of using Coolgorilla's Talking French Phrasebook on your iPhone.
Happy Flying!
--Click Images Below To Enlarge Them--
3/09/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Coolgorilla's Talking French Phrasebook
With my enjoyment of Lonely Planet's Mandarin Audio Phrasebook (which I reviewed *HERE*) I set out to find other language translation 'Apps' for my iPhone. While looking at a variety of language options, for not only the iPhone but also ink-and-paper phrase books and instructional software, I found myself downloading Coolgorilla's Talking French Phrasebook.
Much like Lonely Planet's audio phrase books, Coolgorilla's talking phrasebooks are equally easy to scroll through to find the phrase you're looking for and effective in practice while on the road. The phrase categories are broken down into sub-categories. Inside each sub-category you'll find the phrase you are looking for. I was easily able to find the bathroom and explain that my baggage had not arrived while quickly scrolling through the Coolgorilla Talking French Phrasebook.
For those not comfortable in attempting to speak a foreign language (or in my case butchering a language) you can both find your phrase and show someone your comment/question in their native language or you can click the audio icon and play and audio clip of your comment/question. I generally attempt to speak (butcher) the language, but sometimes the audio clip is extremely helpful!
There is some overlap between both the Lonely Planet Audio Phrasebook and the Coolgorilla Talking Phrasebook, however they each have their own strengths, and in some areas there is no overlap in languages. Having used the Coolgorilla Talking French Phrasebook I'm now off to download the Coolgorilla Talking German Phrasebook as I start looking at a possible flight through Frankfurt, Germany.
Below are five photos that walk you through the steps of using Coolgorilla's Talking French Phrasebook on your iPhone.
Happy Flying!
--Click Images Below To Enlarge Them--
29 August 2008
29/08/2008- The Weekly Round Up : Fees Wipeout Surfers : Experimenting With Flying With Fish Video : iPhone App Of The Week
Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
29/08/2008- The Weekly Round Up : Fees Wipeout Surfers : Experimenting With Flying With Fish Video : iPhone App Of The Week
This week was a 'short week' for me, as I spent most of this week in the hospital having surgery and recovering from surgery. My posts this week were posted in my absence by others, thanks! I'll be on my back a few more days, unable to move my head up-down or side-to-side, but with a project on the calendar for Sunday I had better heal quickly!
This week was primarily filled up with experimenting with Flying With Fish Video. For a few days this past weekend I had access to a Flip Video Camera so I decided to see what I could do. Having never really shot video in the past, and never put together a video piece in the past; I figured "what the heck" and shot a few quick segments. Some people find video very easy, I found there to be a steep learning curve with video, however I may play with this medium again and see what I can do with a little more time, and possibly a camera with better audio.
This weeks' three Flying With Fish Videos may be viewed in these three entries
25/08/2008 - Shooting Long Lenses With No Tripod At Slower Exposures While On The Road
26/08/2008 - Choosing Your Cameras For Traveling
28/08/2008 - Choosing Your Lenses When Traveling : Your Shoulders Will Thank You
Aside from these three experimental videos, this week I kicked off Flying With Fish discussing baggage fees that affect surfers. While surfers make up a minority of the flying public, the fees they are being saddled with are out of line and should be redirected at other flyers who's baggage weighs more, using more fuel and who could bring in a more consistent revenue stream. You can read up on the fees affecting flying surfers here:
23/08/2008 - Airline Fees For Surfboards Wipeout Traveling Surfers?
This week's iPhone 'App of the Week' is "Currency.' Looking for a simple foreign currency exchange rate converter for travel or quick currency conversion during business discussions? This may be the 'App' for you. You can check out 'Currency' in this post:
28/08/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Currency
Interested in discussing travel planning, tips, ideas and anecdotes with other travelers? Join Flying With Fish's "Travel_Planning" community on Live Journal. The community is free and easy to join and is open to first time travelers and seasons road warriors. The best information is shared information, which is the goal of the online Travel_Planning community.
That's it for this week...........Happy Flying!
29/08/2008- The Weekly Round Up : Fees Wipeout Surfers : Experimenting With Flying With Fish Video : iPhone App Of The Week
This week was a 'short week' for me, as I spent most of this week in the hospital having surgery and recovering from surgery. My posts this week were posted in my absence by others, thanks! I'll be on my back a few more days, unable to move my head up-down or side-to-side, but with a project on the calendar for Sunday I had better heal quickly!
This week was primarily filled up with experimenting with Flying With Fish Video. For a few days this past weekend I had access to a Flip Video Camera so I decided to see what I could do. Having never really shot video in the past, and never put together a video piece in the past; I figured "what the heck" and shot a few quick segments. Some people find video very easy, I found there to be a steep learning curve with video, however I may play with this medium again and see what I can do with a little more time, and possibly a camera with better audio.
This weeks' three Flying With Fish Videos may be viewed in these three entries
25/08/2008 - Shooting Long Lenses With No Tripod At Slower Exposures While On The Road
26/08/2008 - Choosing Your Cameras For Traveling
28/08/2008 - Choosing Your Lenses When Traveling : Your Shoulders Will Thank You
Aside from these three experimental videos, this week I kicked off Flying With Fish discussing baggage fees that affect surfers. While surfers make up a minority of the flying public, the fees they are being saddled with are out of line and should be redirected at other flyers who's baggage weighs more, using more fuel and who could bring in a more consistent revenue stream. You can read up on the fees affecting flying surfers here:
23/08/2008 - Airline Fees For Surfboards Wipeout Traveling Surfers?
This week's iPhone 'App of the Week' is "Currency.' Looking for a simple foreign currency exchange rate converter for travel or quick currency conversion during business discussions? This may be the 'App' for you. You can check out 'Currency' in this post:
28/08/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Currency
Interested in discussing travel planning, tips, ideas and anecdotes with other travelers? Join Flying With Fish's "Travel_Planning" community on Live Journal. The community is free and easy to join and is open to first time travelers and seasons road warriors. The best information is shared information, which is the goal of the online Travel_Planning community.
That's it for this week...........Happy Flying!
28 August 2008
iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Currency
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
28/08/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Currency
Not all useful iPhone 'Apps' have whiz-bang features and tons of options. Some very useful iPhone 'Apps' are straightforward, simple and singular in purpose, which is why this week I'll be discussing the simplistic nature of 'Currency.'
'Currency' is an exchange rate tool ideal for anyone who travels, or who needs to quickly review foreign currencies. The set-up of the Currency 'app' allows you to add and delete currencies and set a 'Master Currency' (mine is obviously set to US$)
The one function the iPhone Currency 'App' is missing is that of a rate calculator. I'd like to quickly be able to figure out a total cost, so I am still looking at other currency converter 'apps,' but for the total cost of FREE from the iTunes App Store, I'm quite happy with the Currency 'App.'
Below are two images of the Currency 'App' on my iPhone
Happy Flying!
--Click Images To Enlarge--
28/08/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Currency
Not all useful iPhone 'Apps' have whiz-bang features and tons of options. Some very useful iPhone 'Apps' are straightforward, simple and singular in purpose, which is why this week I'll be discussing the simplistic nature of 'Currency.'
'Currency' is an exchange rate tool ideal for anyone who travels, or who needs to quickly review foreign currencies. The set-up of the Currency 'app' allows you to add and delete currencies and set a 'Master Currency' (mine is obviously set to US$)
The one function the iPhone Currency 'App' is missing is that of a rate calculator. I'd like to quickly be able to figure out a total cost, so I am still looking at other currency converter 'apps,' but for the total cost of FREE from the iTunes App Store, I'm quite happy with the Currency 'App.'
Below are two images of the Currency 'App' on my iPhone
Happy Flying!
--Click Images To Enlarge--
19 August 2008
iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Locly
Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
19/08/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Locly
Whenever I travel one of the challenges I find most difficult to resolve at times is where things are. I don't know a single person who has gotten off a plane; gone to work then suddenly thought, "What is there around here to eat?"
Locly has the answer to "What is there to eat" as well as different categories for this question (such as restaurants, cafes, pubs, and super markets), and other common questions on the road. How Locly works is by figuring out your position from the GSM mobile phone towers. I have had Locly have an accuracy of my location far off as 3,000 meter (1.85 miles) and as close as 450 meters (0.25 miles)
While 3,000 meter can be a great distance if you are standing in the middle of a city, it is extremely helpful when you find yourself in metro-area or suburban area rather than in the middle of the city. I have however used Locly in city center environments and be very happy with its results as the results for 450 meters of accuracy is quite convenient to wherever you may be.
I have used Locly to find dinner on the road as well as locate movie theaters, banks and gas stations. To find interesting tid-bits I have used Locly's "Wikipedia" feature and have heard of others using the iPhone 'App's' Twitter feature to meet up with others.
For you international travelers, fear not! Locly works in many countries throughout the world! Being able to look up a restaurant for dinner in Paris or Shenzhen has never been easier (OK, I haven't tried Locly out in Shenzhen yet, but I'm sure I'll use it in the region at some point in the coming months)
Locly is certainly an iPhone 'App' I will continue to update as they become available and use on a regular basis both on the road and at home.
Below are four photos of Locly on the iPhone
Happy Flying!
--Click Images To Enlarge Them--
19/08/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Locly
Whenever I travel one of the challenges I find most difficult to resolve at times is where things are. I don't know a single person who has gotten off a plane; gone to work then suddenly thought, "What is there around here to eat?"
Locly has the answer to "What is there to eat" as well as different categories for this question (such as restaurants, cafes, pubs, and super markets), and other common questions on the road. How Locly works is by figuring out your position from the GSM mobile phone towers. I have had Locly have an accuracy of my location far off as 3,000 meter (1.85 miles) and as close as 450 meters (0.25 miles)
While 3,000 meter can be a great distance if you are standing in the middle of a city, it is extremely helpful when you find yourself in metro-area or suburban area rather than in the middle of the city. I have however used Locly in city center environments and be very happy with its results as the results for 450 meters of accuracy is quite convenient to wherever you may be.
I have used Locly to find dinner on the road as well as locate movie theaters, banks and gas stations. To find interesting tid-bits I have used Locly's "Wikipedia" feature and have heard of others using the iPhone 'App's' Twitter feature to meet up with others.
For you international travelers, fear not! Locly works in many countries throughout the world! Being able to look up a restaurant for dinner in Paris or Shenzhen has never been easier (OK, I haven't tried Locly out in Shenzhen yet, but I'm sure I'll use it in the region at some point in the coming months)
Locly is certainly an iPhone 'App' I will continue to update as they become available and use on a regular basis both on the road and at home.
Below are four photos of Locly on the iPhone
Happy Flying!
--Click Images To Enlarge Them--
14 August 2008
iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Lonely Planet Mandarin Audio Phrasebook
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
14/08/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Lonely Planet Mandarin Audio Phrasebook
When traveling many people find quickly communicating in a foreign language difficult. Personally, I am terrible at learning new languages, so when I found Lonely Planet's Audio Phrasebook I was intrigued.
Lonely Planet's Audio Phrasebooks are easy to use and eliminate much confusion when asking simple questions (other than being completely embarrassed to be allowing an iPhone to speak for you). The categories of phrases are broken down into easy to find sections and subsections, such as Tools, Transport, Communications & Banking, Sightseeing, Shopping, and Greeting People.
Inside the sections are easy follow sub-sections. Inside of Communications & Banking for example the subsections are: the Internet, mobile/cell phone, telephone, post office, bank.
Inside each of these subsections are common phrases you may need to use to find the answer you are seeking.
The best feature included in Lonely Planet's Mandarin Audio Phrasebook is that once you find the phrase or question you'd like to ask an automatic voice says the question or phrase for you. This eliminates fumbling through an awkward attempt to incorrectly pronounce the phrase or question. Additionally this iPhone 'App' also displays the text in both 'Roman' and 'Chinese' characters so it may be easily read.
Having played with Lonely Planet's Mandarin Audio Phrasebook for use in practical applications I can safely say I will be downloading other languages available through Lonely Planet's iPhone 'Apps.'
Below are seven photos that walk you through the steps of using Lonely Planet's Mandarin Audio Phrasebook on your iPhone.
Happy Flying!
--Click Images To Enlarge Them--
14/08/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Lonely Planet Mandarin Audio Phrasebook
When traveling many people find quickly communicating in a foreign language difficult. Personally, I am terrible at learning new languages, so when I found Lonely Planet's Audio Phrasebook I was intrigued.
Lonely Planet's Audio Phrasebooks are easy to use and eliminate much confusion when asking simple questions (other than being completely embarrassed to be allowing an iPhone to speak for you). The categories of phrases are broken down into easy to find sections and subsections, such as Tools, Transport, Communications & Banking, Sightseeing, Shopping, and Greeting People.
Inside the sections are easy follow sub-sections. Inside of Communications & Banking for example the subsections are: the Internet, mobile/cell phone, telephone, post office, bank.
Inside each of these subsections are common phrases you may need to use to find the answer you are seeking.
The best feature included in Lonely Planet's Mandarin Audio Phrasebook is that once you find the phrase or question you'd like to ask an automatic voice says the question or phrase for you. This eliminates fumbling through an awkward attempt to incorrectly pronounce the phrase or question. Additionally this iPhone 'App' also displays the text in both 'Roman' and 'Chinese' characters so it may be easily read.
Having played with Lonely Planet's Mandarin Audio Phrasebook for use in practical applications I can safely say I will be downloading other languages available through Lonely Planet's iPhone 'Apps.'
Below are seven photos that walk you through the steps of using Lonely Planet's Mandarin Audio Phrasebook on your iPhone.
Happy Flying!
--Click Images To Enlarge Them--
08 August 2008
8/08/2008-The Weekly Round Up : Clear's Failed Security; Quick Hygiene; UK Seeks PNR Access; iPhone App Of The Week; Cost Of Airline Deregulation
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
8/08/2008-The Weekly Round Up : "Clear" Security Compromised; Simply Hygiene On The Road; UK Gov't Seeks More PNR Access; iPhone App Of The Week ; Cost Of Airline Deregulation; Fish On The Radio
This week has been spent planning some future trips, making detailed notes for the book I'm writing, starting to pack my house to move (I'm only moving a few minute walk away from my current house) and wondering what would positive affect would take place to the United States airline industry should airport security tactics be changed to be more 'user friendly,' rather than hostile.
This week on Flying With Fish was kicked off with an audio of clip of me appearing as a guest on the Charles Adler Show, a national talk show in Canada, discussing airport and passenger security. You can listen to my interview here: 2/08/2008 - Audio Clip Of Flying With Fish On the Charles Adler Radio Show Now Available
No one expects their airplane seat, hotel room phone or airport security bin to be clean. The more I travel the more I become a sanitary 'germaphobe.' Fine out why I find Purell to be an invaluable part of my travel kit, no matter where I am headed, here:
4/08/2008 - Killing Germs On The Road : Purell's 1oz 2-Go Carrier
Verified Identity Pass is a private company that oversees the United States 'Registered Traveler' program by administering the Clear Card......and it also turns out they keep the private information of Clear Card users on non-encrypted laptops sometimes. Can we trust the Registered Traveler program? Find out what happened by clicking here: 5/08/2008 - 'Clear' Registered Traveler User Information Stolen
With the current state of the airline industry, and rising airline fares , is flying still more affordable than it was before Airline Deregulation in the United States? Read AeroChannel.com's excellent feature story on this here: 6/08/2008 - The Price Of Airline Deregulation Explained By AeroChannel
Technology has a trade off. The more we have technology the more we can be 'tracked' in our day-to-day activities. With this ability to track our movements the British Government is seeking access to airline PNR records to track travel throughout the UK. As the British Government is seeking access to passenger PNR records they are also defending the 'hack' of their 'fake proof ePassport. Learn more about these important issues in this post: 6/08/2008 – British Government Seeks To Access Airline PNRs As Its New Passport Fails Security Tests
Traveling? Don't want to pay for an expensive plug adapter? I have a cheap simple solution to Type B to Type A plugs here: 7/08/2008 – Simple International Plug Adapter Solution For Some Travel Scenarios
In my second iPhone 'App' Of The Week I introduce the perfect 'App' for anyone who is prone to losing their mobile phone. Fine out what "If Found" can for you in this post: 7/08/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : If Found
That's it for this week!
Happy Flying!
8/08/2008-The Weekly Round Up : "Clear" Security Compromised; Simply Hygiene On The Road; UK Gov't Seeks More PNR Access; iPhone App Of The Week ; Cost Of Airline Deregulation; Fish On The Radio
This week has been spent planning some future trips, making detailed notes for the book I'm writing, starting to pack my house to move (I'm only moving a few minute walk away from my current house) and wondering what would positive affect would take place to the United States airline industry should airport security tactics be changed to be more 'user friendly,' rather than hostile.
This week on Flying With Fish was kicked off with an audio of clip of me appearing as a guest on the Charles Adler Show, a national talk show in Canada, discussing airport and passenger security. You can listen to my interview here: 2/08/2008 - Audio Clip Of Flying With Fish On the Charles Adler Radio Show Now Available
No one expects their airplane seat, hotel room phone or airport security bin to be clean. The more I travel the more I become a sanitary 'germaphobe.' Fine out why I find Purell to be an invaluable part of my travel kit, no matter where I am headed, here:
4/08/2008 - Killing Germs On The Road : Purell's 1oz 2-Go Carrier
Verified Identity Pass is a private company that oversees the United States 'Registered Traveler' program by administering the Clear Card......and it also turns out they keep the private information of Clear Card users on non-encrypted laptops sometimes. Can we trust the Registered Traveler program? Find out what happened by clicking here: 5/08/2008 - 'Clear' Registered Traveler User Information Stolen
With the current state of the airline industry, and rising airline fares , is flying still more affordable than it was before Airline Deregulation in the United States? Read AeroChannel.com's excellent feature story on this here: 6/08/2008 - The Price Of Airline Deregulation Explained By AeroChannel
Technology has a trade off. The more we have technology the more we can be 'tracked' in our day-to-day activities. With this ability to track our movements the British Government is seeking access to airline PNR records to track travel throughout the UK. As the British Government is seeking access to passenger PNR records they are also defending the 'hack' of their 'fake proof ePassport. Learn more about these important issues in this post: 6/08/2008 – British Government Seeks To Access Airline PNRs As Its New Passport Fails Security Tests
Traveling? Don't want to pay for an expensive plug adapter? I have a cheap simple solution to Type B to Type A plugs here: 7/08/2008 – Simple International Plug Adapter Solution For Some Travel Scenarios
In my second iPhone 'App' Of The Week I introduce the perfect 'App' for anyone who is prone to losing their mobile phone. Fine out what "If Found" can for you in this post: 7/08/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : If Found
That's it for this week!
Happy Flying!
07 August 2008
iPhone 'App' Of The Week : If Found
Web: www.thetravelstrategist.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
7/08/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : If Found
Anyone who has lost their mobile phone knows the frustration of wondering if someone will find their phone, and then will they be able to find out who owns the phone to return it. We increasingly keep our lives on our phones, the numbers we call, the schedules we keep and with the iPhone the music we listen to and some movies we watch.
The iTunes 'App Store' has a great free 'App' appropriately named "If Found." "If Found" is now my screen saver because quite simply this 'App' tells anyone who finds your phone who the phone belongs to and how to return it to them.
“If Found” allows you to list your general contact information, as well as a specific phone number to call and e-mail address to contact if you have alternate contact information. You can even list a reward for the return of your iPhone (my reward is set at US$250)
There is no flashy gimmick to "If Found.” This ‘App’ can't tell you today's baseball scores, it can't give you the latest stocks, it can't find you the nearest Starbucks, it won't even tell you if your flight is delayed...........but it will very clearly let anyone who may find your phone (should you lose it) know who the phone belongs to and how to return it.
Below are three images of the iPhone with "If Found."
Happy Flying!
--Click Images To Enlarge Them--
7/08/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : If Found
Anyone who has lost their mobile phone knows the frustration of wondering if someone will find their phone, and then will they be able to find out who owns the phone to return it. We increasingly keep our lives on our phones, the numbers we call, the schedules we keep and with the iPhone the music we listen to and some movies we watch.
The iTunes 'App Store' has a great free 'App' appropriately named "If Found." "If Found" is now my screen saver because quite simply this 'App' tells anyone who finds your phone who the phone belongs to and how to return it to them.
“If Found” allows you to list your general contact information, as well as a specific phone number to call and e-mail address to contact if you have alternate contact information. You can even list a reward for the return of your iPhone (my reward is set at US$250)
There is no flashy gimmick to "If Found.” This ‘App’ can't tell you today's baseball scores, it can't give you the latest stocks, it can't find you the nearest Starbucks, it won't even tell you if your flight is delayed...........but it will very clearly let anyone who may find your phone (should you lose it) know who the phone belongs to and how to return it.
Below are three images of the iPhone with "If Found."
Happy Flying!
--Click Images To Enlarge Them--
30 July 2008
iPhone 'App' Of The Week : iPhone Tools For Road Warriors
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
30/07/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : iPhone Tools For Road Warriors
Well it was bound to happen eventually. At some point I'd have to enter 2007 (yes, I said 2007). Not too long ago an original iPhone was provided to me to use and figure out how to turn it into a 'travelers tool.’ While my iPhone is not the new iPhone 3G, I have not been deterred from playing with the potential of using the iPhone's apps for travel purposes.
I'm not going to go into the details of iPhone vs other phones, as I still use and prefer my Blackberry for my mobile mail, and I have considered going back to my Motorola Razr for battery life and size............but the iPhone's 'Apps' are what keeps me interested in the iPhone. Since I received my iPhone I have downloaded many 'Apps' that have the potential to be good tools on the road and found some that I like and some that I will never utter the name of in public because they are so horrendous.
.............so this entry kicks off my first iPhone App Of The Week post.
One of the first 'Apps' I downloaded for the iPhone was the Travelocity ‘App.’ While Travelocity has not been my preferred online booking site, the 'App' has some great features that can provide some excellent information to anyone on the road. The Travelocity 'App' is so useful it is on the top line of the first page of my iPhone 'Apps.'
What does the Travelocity 'App' offer its users?
For starters if your schedule is forced to change at the last minute you can click on 'Flight Schedules', type in your departure airport and your arrival airport, and pull up a complete list of all flights between the two airports for the day. This schedule also includes 'Code-Share' flight numbers for many flights. Once you select the flight you think you'd like to use you can click that fight and see all the details of that flight.
I found a few gaps in some routes for available flights, but overall this feature can really save a traveler time should their schedule change unexpectedly or they have to rebook a flight while already in transit.
In a hurry and want to know where you're headed in the airport? The Travelocity 'App' can search most flights (primarily in the United States) quickly and let travelers know what terminal and gate their flight is departing from (you can also get this information easily from AeroChannel Mobile at: www.aero2go.com). Being able to quickly access an iPhone 'App' to get your terminal info and gate info at an unfamiliar airport is extremely useful for anyone running late getting to the airport.
Finally, the Travelocity 'App' can tell you the average wait times for airport security check points. This feature gives you a break down of terminals, individual checkpoints and the time of day you're planning on passing through security. While security times can change depending on the circumstances of the day, this feature is fantastic to know what you should be facing when you show up at the airport.
Overall I have found the Travelocity 'App' to a fantastic travel tool for iPhone users.
Below are 12 images of the Travelocity 'App' on the iPhone.
Happy Flying!
--Click Images To Enlarge--
30/07/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : iPhone Tools For Road Warriors
Well it was bound to happen eventually. At some point I'd have to enter 2007 (yes, I said 2007). Not too long ago an original iPhone was provided to me to use and figure out how to turn it into a 'travelers tool.’ While my iPhone is not the new iPhone 3G, I have not been deterred from playing with the potential of using the iPhone's apps for travel purposes.
I'm not going to go into the details of iPhone vs other phones, as I still use and prefer my Blackberry for my mobile mail, and I have considered going back to my Motorola Razr for battery life and size............but the iPhone's 'Apps' are what keeps me interested in the iPhone. Since I received my iPhone I have downloaded many 'Apps' that have the potential to be good tools on the road and found some that I like and some that I will never utter the name of in public because they are so horrendous.
.............so this entry kicks off my first iPhone App Of The Week post.
One of the first 'Apps' I downloaded for the iPhone was the Travelocity ‘App.’ While Travelocity has not been my preferred online booking site, the 'App' has some great features that can provide some excellent information to anyone on the road. The Travelocity 'App' is so useful it is on the top line of the first page of my iPhone 'Apps.'
What does the Travelocity 'App' offer its users?
For starters if your schedule is forced to change at the last minute you can click on 'Flight Schedules', type in your departure airport and your arrival airport, and pull up a complete list of all flights between the two airports for the day. This schedule also includes 'Code-Share' flight numbers for many flights. Once you select the flight you think you'd like to use you can click that fight and see all the details of that flight.
I found a few gaps in some routes for available flights, but overall this feature can really save a traveler time should their schedule change unexpectedly or they have to rebook a flight while already in transit.
In a hurry and want to know where you're headed in the airport? The Travelocity 'App' can search most flights (primarily in the United States) quickly and let travelers know what terminal and gate their flight is departing from (you can also get this information easily from AeroChannel Mobile at: www.aero2go.com). Being able to quickly access an iPhone 'App' to get your terminal info and gate info at an unfamiliar airport is extremely useful for anyone running late getting to the airport.
Finally, the Travelocity 'App' can tell you the average wait times for airport security check points. This feature gives you a break down of terminals, individual checkpoints and the time of day you're planning on passing through security. While security times can change depending on the circumstances of the day, this feature is fantastic to know what you should be facing when you show up at the airport.
Overall I have found the Travelocity 'App' to a fantastic travel tool for iPhone users.
Below are 12 images of the Travelocity 'App' on the iPhone.
Happy Flying!
--Click Images To Enlarge--
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