How much tech is too much?
I might be able to answer that question in the next few months when I’ll be taking some unprecidented steps and using some cutting edge technology during an upcoming vacation and business trip.
Why do this?
I am a complete geek at heart! I honestly love this stuff. I love figuring out new and creative ways to use technology. The only thing I like more than computer technology, is FREE computer technology! Most of what I’m using is completely free, open source, technology.

Since I’ll be using public wireless Internet access during my business trip, hotel, and other access points, security is serious concern. In many public wireless networks and hotel computer networks, all computers are connected on an Ethernet hub.

In this configuration any computer on that network can see what every other computer is doing.

The Tech Details – On the road
I’ll be using my laptop computer connected to a 7″ LCD monitor. Connected to the laptop will be the Garmin 18 GPS receiver running nRoute mapping software. I’ll be using a standard power inverter to power the laptop and monitor and wireless router. Wireless router? On the road? Why? Since I’m driving about 1600 miles to my destination I figured why not Wardrive! Now the details haven’t been worked out, but I’d like to report my realtime GPS location and display my position on a secured web page for my family and friends. I’m not sure I’ll be able to pull this off. The API’s available for the GPS receiver aren’t that strong. Wouldn’t that be cool though? Find hotspot and report home.

The Tech Details – On the net
I’ll be using a really awesome application called Hamachi to provide a really secure connection on those dangerous public networks. With Hamachi a new network interface is setup with a 5.x.x.x IP address. I’ve setup Squid Proxy to allow only addresses from 5.x.x.x which can only be computers on my Hamachi network. Next I’ve configured my browser to use my “local” proxy server. Since Hamachi is, to quote the Hamachi website, “LAN over the Internet”, my “local” proxy will be contacted through a secure VPN tunnel. Voila, truely secured surfing! HTTPS not needed, but it will still work too.
Real VNC to connect to my computer at home or in the office. Real VNC is a remote desktop application. Of course it’s Free! Worry about security? Not with Hamachi! I’ll just use my Hamachi IP/network card so I’ll have a very secure VPN tunnelled remote desktop! Thanks to Fredfarkl
I contacted Leo Laporte, Co-founder of This Week in Tech, Security Now! and host of the television show Call for Help! which airs on the Canada G4 network. I was surprised to see he responded to my use of Hamachi and Squid Proxy. He said “Wow – that’s really interesting! A very good use of Hamachi!”

I’ll also be using my really secure connection to post news and photos on my website which is running Xoops, and Gallery. Both open source, both free, both great applications!

Be sure to check back for the results of my technological experiment.

Wish me luck!