offgrid wikipedia/reference library

[wolf_from_wv]

This is a very good thread.  For powering your devices in an emergency I'm adding a new topic in "Electric Power" forum. 

Now, I'll have to find that topic and mention my garden hose power generator...

https://www.amazon.com/Turbine-Generator-Micro-Hydro-Efficiency-Hydroelectric/dp/B07XZ7L6TC/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=water+turbine+generator+kit&qid=1704090118&sr=8-4


If you want to be a post-apocalyptic librarian, a computer and router would be better, if you had the proper support infrastructure.

For personal use, an Android tablet with built-in SD card port is better.  It has fewer adapters to fail.

[Moab]

This is a very good thread.  For powering your devices in an emergency I'm adding a new topic in "Electric Power" forum. 

Now, I'll have to find that topic and mention my garden hose power generator...

https://www.amazon.com/Turbine-Generator-Micro-Hydro-Efficiency-Hydroelectric/dp/B07XZ7L6TC/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=water+turbine+generator+kit&qid=1704090118&sr=8-4


If you want to be a post-apocalyptic librarian, a computer and router would be better, if you had the proper support infrastructure.

For personal use, an Android tablet with built-in SD card port is better.  It has fewer adapters to fail.

"If you want to be a post-apocalyptic librarian, a computer and router would be better, if you had the proper support infrastructure."

Agree completely. 

" For personal use, an Android tablet with built-in SD card port is better.  It has fewer adapters to fail."

At first I didn't agree with this. But now I do. You can charge it with a battery pack. Just as if you'd put new batteries in something. So removable cellphone batteries are not really an advantage. And the screen size is actually usable. I think the only other thing I would carry is they make very small, lightweight keyboards. I used to carry something like this for making reports in the field. Very small and much easier to use with a keyboard. 

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

You'd think over the last decade or so and with the rise in popularity of tablets, someone would've made a Toughbook version of a tablet.

Imagine a tablet like one of those Panasonic Toughbook laptops, just a bit more easily portable and with the same 'built like a tank' strength.

[Z.O.R.G.]

like these? 

The best rugged tablets

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

like these?

The best rugged tablets

Yep.

I'm not as up to date on electronics as I probably ought (I'm still using a Samsung Galaxy S8 as my cell phone), so it's likely I completely missed those tablets.

[wolf_from_wv]

I wonder if this one can be used to read documents...

I wonder what the battery life is for the 4 AA batteries...

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/wildgame-innovations-trail-pad-tablet-sd-card-viewer?ds_e=MICROSOFT&ds_c=BPS%7CShopping%7CSmart%7CLIA%7CGeneral%7CNAud%7CNVol%7CNMT&msclkid=ee7a4398389d156a74fc260b46a361b5&gclid=ee7a4398389d156a74fc260b46a361b5&gclsrc=3p.ds

The Wildgame Innovations Trail Pad Tablet is specifically designed for use by hunters. This weather-resistant SD card viewer utilizes 2 standard size SD card ports to aid in sifting through the hundreds of images and videos that hunting season brings. Insert an SD card into the library port to view every game shot in HD quality. Send your best shot over to the archive port for storage on the second SD card. No more endless scrolling to find that one picture you want to show your buddy. The Trail Pad Tablet SD Card Viewer uses an oversized, 7" HD backlit TFT touch screen to zoom, swipe and navigate just like other tablet devices. A built-in speaker supports audio during video playback. Auxiliary and micro USB ports accommodate viewing from computer or TV (cords not included). Holds 2 SD cards up to 32GB each (cards not included). Operates on 4 AA batteries (not included).
Manufacturer model #: VU70.

• Easy to sort and sift images
• 2 standard size SD card ports
• 7" HD backlit TFT touch screen
• Auxiliary and micro USB ports
• Weather-resistant
• Built-in speaker

[Moab]

I wonder if this one can be used to read documents...

I wonder what the battery life is for the 4 AA batteries...

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/wildgame-innovations-trail-pad-tablet-sd-card-viewer?ds_e=MICROSOFT&ds_c=BPS%7CShopping%7CSmart%7CLIA%7CGeneral%7CNAud%7CNVol%7CNMT&msclkid=ee7a4398389d156a74fc260b46a361b5&gclid=ee7a4398389d156a74fc260b46a361b5&gclsrc=3p.ds

The Wildgame Innovations Trail Pad Tablet is specifically designed for use by hunters. This weather-resistant SD card viewer utilizes 2 standard size SD card ports to aid in sifting through the hundreds of images and videos that hunting season brings. Insert an SD card into the library port to view every game shot in HD quality. Send your best shot over to the archive port for storage on the second SD card. No more endless scrolling to find that one picture you want to show your buddy. The Trail Pad Tablet SD Card Viewer uses an oversized, 7" HD backlit TFT touch screen to zoom, swipe and navigate just like other tablet devices. A built-in speaker supports audio during video playback. Auxiliary and micro USB ports accommodate viewing from computer or TV (cords not included). Holds 2 SD cards up to 32GB each (cards not included). Operates on 4 AA batteries (not included).
Manufacturer model #: VU70.

• Easy to sort and sift images
• 2 standard size SD card ports
• 7" HD backlit TFT touch screen
• Auxiliary and micro USB ports
• Weather-resistant
• Built-in speaker

This sounds like I'm shitting on this idea. But I'm not. I just don't like the tablet itself:

I think its an older tech tablet with a cheap fancy looking case. Nothing in the specs makes this a rugged tablet. The case isn't waterproof, shock resistant etc its basically an older, smaller tablet in a hard plastic case. Its not actually ruggeddized. Or up to date as a tablet itself. 

Its a 7 inch display, which is quite small. And it takes sd cards. Not micro sd cards. I thought sd cards went out years ago? Also the 2 sd cards at a time deal isn't that impressive. As you can buy a $3 usb adapter that does the same or more. 

For $119 you could get a much nicer, larger tablet and put it in a thick case like this. And you've got about the same. Except 8t will he kuch faster and much newer. And iirc sd cards are limited to 64 or 128gb. Maybe I'm wrong about that? 

So it doesn't have a lot going for it. Except maybe for the 4 AA batteries. But you could just as easily use an external battery bank or even an AA battery pack. If you were married to using AAs. Honestly a larger capacity battery bank would be better imho. 

But I like where you are going with this. I think the sweet spot might be an older Samsung tablet say 10 inch. With an Otterbox or similar case. And some nice accessories. A keyboard for one. Those are cheap and very small and lightweight. An external drive and/or more micro sd cards. And a battery bank.

Even if it were closer to $200 it would be 10 times the value. And so much more worth the additional cost. 

But again, a tablet in a good case with a keyboard is definitely the way to go. Tech and cost wise. As well weight and size. 

[Suneate]

Some great ideas have been in here while I've been away.

For the tough tablets, I have a Panasonic Toughpad G2 for work. It's amazing, just insanely priced and worth buying one for this. If I got an old one at a reasonable price from Gumtree? Sure, but eh on the $2000 AUD to get one that is out of warranty and is just beat.

I like the idea of a tablet that can do it and will probably look more into it as the android phone I have tested it out on is old and it really struggled with it. Just having Wikipedia on it, with a brand new battery, it lasted maybe 40 minutes. Not saying that this will be everyone's experience, but it was mine. I would have to get another android device to try it to see if it's the same or not.

[Z.O.R.G.]

Suneate, I'm not sure if they have HAM (amateur radio) fests i  your AO, or if they're like the ones in mine - but f they do, try there.  There's always some guy with a bunch of older laptops & tablets there.  There's usually a selection of Toughbook in the collection.  I can't remember seeing a Toughpad, but it wouldn't surprise me.  They're usually no more than a few hundred (expensive, but way less than original price).

[Moab]

Suneate, I'm not sure if they have HAM (amateur radio) fests i  your AO, or if they're like the ones in mine - but f they do, try there.  There's always some guy with a bunch of older laptops & tablets there.  There's usually a selection of Toughbook in the collection.  I can't remember seeing a Toughpad, but it wouldn't surprise me.  They're usually no more than a few hundred (expensive, but way less than original price).

What actually constitutes "toughbook" or "ruggedized"? 

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Suneate, I'm not sure if they have HAM (amateur radio) fests i  your AO, or if they're like the ones in mine - but f they do, try there.  There's always some guy with a bunch of older laptops & tablets there.  There's usually a selection of Toughbook in the collection.  I can't remember seeing a Toughpad, but it wouldn't surprise me.  They're usually no more than a few hundred (expensive, but way less than original price).

What actually constitutes "toughbook" or "ruggedized"?

Good question, Moab. I've wondered that
myself.

My guess is the components in a Toughbook or a ruggedized laptop or tablet are built to withstand stuff that'd kill a regular laptop or tablet.

[Z.O.R.G.]

I usually see older model "refurbished" actual Panasonic Toughbook(s) for around $200-400 USD at hamfests.  "Refurbished" usually means cleaned up with a new HD and a fresh OS install.  I've seen Panasonic toughbooks knocked odd the top of an MRAP onto concrete and still work.  It was closed at the time.  (OK I admit it, I was the one who knocked it off...but it was an accident!)

[Suneate]

Suneate, I'm not sure if they have HAM (amateur radio) fests i  your AO, or if they're like the ones in mine - but f they do, try there.  There's always some guy with a bunch of older laptops & tablets there.  There's usually a selection of Toughbook in the collection.  I can't remember seeing a Toughpad, but it wouldn't surprise me.  They're usually no more than a few hundred (expensive, but way less than original price).

We do have something similar. Usually it's just older laptops that are moved into containers that are protected and able to be sealed from the elements.

What actually constitutes "toughbook" or "ruggedized"?

So it's essentially technology (laptops, tablets, phones) that are built to withstand harsh environments and rough handling. 

For example, I have dropped my tablet from 6 metres into a puddle (about 1cm deep) and by the time I got around to getting it (it was in there for at least 2-3 minutes), all it needed was for me to wipe the mud off it. They're designed to be able to deal with environments that are usually hazardous for standard IT equipment.

To demonstrate, some of the tests Forbes put it through in 2009:

https://www.forbes.com/2009/06/23/toughbook-tiger-elephant-technology-personal-test_slide.html?sh=2ece1ba65abb

I don't think I would want it as body armour, but it took a beating.

[wolf_from_wv]

To charge the tablet, you can use

cordless drill  battery with adapter

4 AA, C, D, or maybe AAA with an adapter

AC power with an adapter

Automotive 12V power outlet with an adapter

Automotive 5V power outlet

Garden hose hydroelectric power with an adapter

Solar panel with adapter or not, depending

stationary bike and alternator and battery

wind power

For unsteady sources, wind, solar, water, I prefer to charge a battery, and use that to charge the tablet, just so it doesn't start charging, stop, start, stop, with clouds or the wind slowing.

A regular voltage regulator may not work well at higher voltages.  A 12V regulator may have an "overhead" of 1.5V in order to run, so when the battery goes below 13.5V, it would shut off.  A Low Drop Out regulator may only need .7V, which would work down to 12.7.  This wouldn't matter much with 5V running off a 12V source.

Another issue with sharing the information, would be write-protecting it so it doesn't get deleted or have a malicious file added to it.

One advantage of replaceable AA batteries, is that you don't have to worry about the USB port not working or getting dropped.  AA batteries are usually fairly easy to find (except after a power outage...).

[Suneate]

To charge the tablet, you can use

cordless drill  battery with adapter

4 AA, C, D, or maybe AAA with an adapter

AC power with an adapter

Automotive 12V power outlet with an adapter

Automotive 5V power outlet

Garden hose hydroelectric power with an adapter

Solar panel with adapter or not, depending

stationary bike and alternator and battery

wind power

For unsteady sources, wind, solar, water, I prefer to charge a battery, and use that to charge the tablet, just so it doesn't start charging, stop, start, stop, with clouds or the wind slowing.

A regular voltage regulator may not work well at higher voltages.  A 12V regulator may have an "overhead" of 1.5V in order to run, so when the battery goes below 13.5V, it would shut off.  A Low Drop Out regulator may only need .7V, which would work down to 12.7.  This wouldn't matter much with 5V running off a 12V source.

Another issue with sharing the information, would be write-protecting it so it doesn't get deleted or have a malicious file added to it.

One advantage of replaceable AA batteries, is that you don't have to worry about the USB port not working or getting dropped.  AA batteries are usually fairly easy to find (except after a power outage...).

Great advice on the power generation for charging.

I created a kiwix repo and put it as Read only for access. While I seriously doubt there would be a malicious actor out there during teotwawki, someone acting against you is always a possibility. There is always someone who wants what you have.

[wolf_from_wv]

If you have a number of small files you want to share, you can get a streaming device.

The Dane-Elec allows you to stream videos and share files, but it has a 32GB limit for the SD card.  It can be used to charge a phone, also.

The other is a travel router that does file sharing.  It needs a separate power supply.