Found this handy and used the application mentioned and the libraries it points to try try it out. Was fairly simple to do, limited really by my bad internet download speeds.
Welcome to the forum! Excellent post. :)
I've been looking at these projects recently. I'm still confused about why this is better than just a cellphone or tablet, inside a Pelican case, with a backup battery and an external drive?
It sounds like the bulk of the information is downloaded and stored to an external drive or sd cards. I already have 8gb(?) of survival and related documents, as well as literature for simple entertainment. If you added the 80gb of wikipedia. You'd have essentially the same thing. You could add a cheap external keyboard and mouse.
Additional external drives could contain movies and tv shows. I guess the stored data types are endless.
Anyway. Why is this better? Seems like alot of 3d printing for not much advantage.
So I did this as a case of "I don't know what I don't know" and wanted to have the information at hand. While I didn't do it as per the video with the hard case 3d printing etc, I did setup the application and pulled the references that I felt were worth while (Wikipedia, books, gardening etc) to have. These live on a laptop.
While I don't think it's a replacement for the specific survival / emergency books, these are good for reference, I feel, for those one off things that come up that you didn't foresee. Example, I was musing with a friend how things would go on an n+1 days after shtf, and he pointed out "do you know how to grow coffee and roast it?" and it was something that I had neglected to learn think of.
Also an quick edit: I don't think that this is better than external drives. It's how I set mine up. But having a waterproof container that acts as a wifi hotspot so many people can access it at once? Might be handy, but it may not suit everyone's use case.
This guy goes into detail about using kiwix to open downloads of wntire sites (like wikipedia) for viewing on your phone or computer.
He also links in the description to a huge amount of downloads. Mostly entire sites that are dedicated to various types of knowledge bases.
https://youtu.be/N1aQX9HO8-4?si=BkipG13hTEJVAE4S
Quote from: Suneate on December 30, 2023, 03:41:19 PMSo I did this as a case of "I don't know what I don't know" and wanted to have the information at hand. While I didn't do it as per the video with the hard case 3d printing etc, I did setup the application and pulled the references that I felt were worth while (Wikipedia, books, gardening etc) to have. These live on a laptop.
While I don't think it's a replacement for the specific survival / emergency books, these are good for reference, I feel, for those one off things that come up that you didn't foresee. Example, I was musing with a friend how things would go on an n+1 days after shtf, and he pointed out "do you know how to grow coffee and roast it?" and it was something that I had neglected to learn think of.
Also an quick edit: I don't think that this is better than external drives. It's how I set mine up. But having a waterproof container that acts as a wifi hotspot so many people can access it at once? Might be handy, but it may not suit everyone's use case.
There is definitely value in being able to share this info from your phone or tablet with others. Via hotspot.
I would assume an android phone uses alot less power than a tablet. But with the tablet you have a manageable screen. Can you use an external drive with an android phone? I've never tried. I only assume you can with a tablet.
A low power tablet, with external drive and keyboard and mouse. Might be the sweet spot here?
This guy takes it one step smaller. He built a tiny kiwix server out of a board about tue size of your thumb. That basically stores all the data and websites on sd. You log into it via phone or computer using wifi. And access the informatiin that way.
So it has no screen or other interface. Just a tiny drive that you can pull the info from via wifi.
https://www.waynepiekarski.net/blog/2017/05/mediatek-perl-wikipedia.htm
Still seems like an external drive hooked to an android phone would be easier.
That is a really great point on the android and I hadn't given it the thought it deserved. I believe that you can, but without looking into it in great detail, would need specific connections for it. It also has the "how much effort are people willing to put in?" As I know some like minded folks in my circle are have stated "unless it's printed, it's useless". I can see that point, if something goes wrong with the drive, phone, laptop and you don't have the appropriate backups, then you've lost that repository of information.
I feel that this is a solution for some, but not for others. Although, I hope this gives some people pause to think if they've got the right solution for them.
But it's done something I wanted which is someone to challenge what I thought was right, and give me a differing perspective on it and make me re-evaluate how I approached a solution to maintaining a repository of reference.
Quote from: Moab on December 30, 2023, 03:43:26 PMThis guy goes into detail about using kiwix to open downloads of wntire sites (like wikipedia) for viewing on your phone or computer.
He also links in the description to a huge amount of downloads. Mostly entire sites that are dedicated to various types of knowledge bases.
https://youtu.be/N1aQX9HO8-4?si=BkipG13hTEJVAE4S
Hadn't seen this video from him. Thanks for sharing!
How to connect an external drive to an android phone:
You need the drive in fat32 or exfat format. A simple cable connector. And appropriate software to open files.
The external hard drives do require more power. How much? I don't know.
https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-connect-a-1TB-hard-disk-with-an-Android-smart-phone
Quote from: Suneate on December 30, 2023, 03:59:36 PMThat is a really great point on the android and I hadn't given it the thought it deserved. I believe that you can, but without looking into it in great detail, would need specific connections for it. It also has the "how much effort are people willing to put in?" As I know some like minded folks in my circle are have stated "unless it's printed, it's useless". I can see that point, if something goes wrong with the drive, phone, laptop and you don't have the appropriate backups, then you've lost that repository of information.
I feel that this is a solution for some, but not for others. Although, I hope this gives some people pause to think if they've got the right solution for them.
But it's done something I wanted which is someone to challenge what I thought was right, and give me a differing perspective on it and make me re-evaluate how I approached a solution to maintaining a repository of reference.
Quote from: Moab on December 30, 2023, 03:43:26 PMThis guy goes into detail about using kiwix to open downloads of wntire sites (like wikipedia) for viewing on your phone or computer.
He also links in the description to a huge amount of downloads. Mostly entire sites that are dedicated to various types of knowledge bases.
https://youtu.be/N1aQX9HO8-4?si=BkipG13hTEJVAE4S
Hadn't seen this video from him. Thanks for sharing!
"But it's done something I wanted which is someone to challenge what I thought was right, and give me a differing perspective on it and make me re-evaluate how I approached a solution to maintaining a repository of reference. "
This is a great way of thinking. And is one of my top uses for this forum "to vette my assumptions. Or knowledge thus far."
I think the key points to creating a knowledge reference for post shtf:
1) Must be low power.
2) Lightweight and small form factor for carrying it in your backpack. I don't think "printing everything out" is practical at all. Have any idea how much paper in a gb of data? A f*ck ton. Might be advisable at a stationary location. To avoid drives going bad. But you would need to empty a library of books to catalog all the printed information.
3) Easily shareable. But any phone that can set up a wifi hotspot would work.
4) Rugged and long lasting. I don't know which storage devices are the most rugged or long lasting.
5) Not to expensive.
If we can answer these concerns I think we might have a winner. But undoubtedly someone has already done this. We just have to find them. Easier said than done with today's pitifully commerce driven search engines. Lol.
Quote from: Moab on December 30, 2023, 04:17:13 PMI think the key points to creating a knowledge reference for post shtf:
1) Must be low power.
2) Lightweight and small form factor for carrying it in your backpack. I don't think "printing everything out" is practical at all. Have any idea how much paper in a gb of data? A f*ck ton. Might be advisable at a stationary location. To avoid drives going bad. But you would need to empty a library of books to catalog all the printed information.
3) Easily shareable. But any phone that can set up a wifi hotspot would work.
4) Rugged and long lasting. I don't know which storage devices are the most rugged or long lasting.
5) Not to expensive.
If we can answer these concerns I think we might have a winner. But undoubtedly someone has already done this. We just have to find them. Easier said than done with today's pitifully commerce driven search engines. Lol.
Exactly. Someone out there has done it, or done something close enough that can be adapted for a persons circumstance.
Quote from: Moab on December 30, 2023, 04:17:13 PMThis is a great way of thinking. And is one of my top uses for this forum "to vette my assumptions. Or knowledge thus far."
That is my thinking as well. Someone here has done it, or something close to it and has the experience to share. I can learn from that, and any mistakes that they made and use it to make me better.
Quote from: Suneate on December 30, 2023, 04:35:23 PMQuote from: Moab on December 30, 2023, 04:17:13 PMI think the key points to creating a knowledge reference for post shtf:
1) Must be low power.
2) Lightweight and small form factor for carrying it in your backpack. I don't think "printing everything out" is practical at all. Have any idea how much paper in a gb of data? A f*ck ton. Might be advisable at a stationary location. To avoid drives going bad. But you would need to empty a library of books to catalog all the printed information.
3) Easily shareable. But any phone that can set up a wifi hotspot would work.
4) Rugged and long lasting. I don't know which storage devices are the most rugged or long lasting.
5) Not to expensive.
If we can answer these concerns I think we might have a winner. But undoubtedly someone has already done this. We just have to find them. Easier said than done with today's pitifully commerce driven search engines. Lol.
Exactly. Someone out there has done it, or done something close enough that can be adapted for a persons circumstance.
Quote from: Moab on December 30, 2023, 04:17:13 PMThis is a great way of thinking. And is one of my top uses for this forum "to vette my assumptions. Or knowledge thus far."
That is my thinking as well. Someone here has done it, or something close to it and has the experience to share. I can learn from that, and any mistakes that they made and use it to make me better.
I like you already! :)
Quote from: Moab on December 30, 2023, 05:00:59 PMI like you already! :)
:smiley_blink: :smiley_blink: :smiley_blink:
It's been a very productive discussion
Quote from: Suneate on December 30, 2023, 05:47:41 PMQuote from: Moab on December 30, 2023, 05:00:59 PMI like you already! :)
:smiley_blink: :smiley_blink: :smiley_blink:
It's been a very productive discussion
I just found a great tutorial for getting on and searching the dark web. Which I spent many hours researching to no avail like 3 minths ago. Lol. Not that that has anything to do with this discussion.
https://youtu.be/U2-JPqrALsA?si=zxivOh3_F6ku7bPq
Links like that are useful. There is a giant rabbit hole to go down if you are up for it. But we might be getting away from the topic at hand
Quote from: Suneate on December 30, 2023, 07:14:47 PMLinks like that are useful. There is a giant rabbit hole to go down if you are up for it. But we might be getting away from the topic at hand
For sure.
I will do some more research on phone databases tomorrow.
Quote from: Moab on December 30, 2023, 07:34:06 PMI will do some more research on phone databases tomorrow.
I went digging in the shed and found and old Android phone so giving it a try once it charges
Quote from: Suneate on December 30, 2023, 07:50:04 PMQuote from: Moab on December 30, 2023, 07:34:06 PMI will do some more research on phone databases tomorrow.
I went digging in the shed and found and old Android phone so giving it a try once it charges
I have one too. That also takes removable batteries. Which is a plus.
So...
I've been collecting .pdf documents since they became available in that new thing they called the Internet. It was very handy to have electronics datasheets on my computer while doing projects for classes. This evolved into finding whatever info I could and trying to organize it.
ORGANIZE DOCUMENTS AS YOU FIND THEM.
About 10 years ago or more, I started studying off-grid power, automotive 12V power, and solar power.
I found a wireless router with a USB port for sharing documents. I was concerned with off-grid 12V power usually being more than 12V. With some guidance from an electronics professor, I started working on an 12VDC power supply with a low drop out regulator.
An Android phone without cellular service is basically a little tablet, isn't it?
If you want to share the info with people, a computer with router is easier. SD cards are good for personal use. I guess some schools in 3rd world countries use them to share info in classes. I don't think they call them cyberdecks, though...
I don't endorse all these pages, but try to see what they've done, and build on it...
PirateBox
LibraryBox
MAZI
http://mazizone.eu/
File Server with SAMBA
Internet-in-a-box
SolarSPELL
https://solarspell.org/
Colfax
https://www.fastcompany.com/3031444/this-smart-backpack-has-its-own-wi-fi-network-and-storage
Tiny Banned Books Library
https://anarchosolarpunk.substack.com/p/bannedbooklibrary
Low Tech Magazine
https://solar.lowtechmagazine.com/archives.html
A solar powered website.
FreedomBox
https://freedombox.org/
Raspberry Pi Backpack
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/raspberry-pi-backpack
https://www.pcgamer.com/these-raspberry-pi-backpacks-are-what-my-childhood-spy-dreams-were-made-of/
https://www.reddit.com/r/raspberry_pi/comments/yxs9hb/currently_working_on_a_fully_portable_raspberry/
https://forums.raspberrypi.com/viewtopic.php?t=112785
Computer in a backpack
https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/5/26/11789096/msi-backpack-pc-virtual-reality
https://www.theverge.com/2016/4/25/11504118/zotac-stuffed-a-pc-into-a-backpack-for-untethered-vr-gaming
Cyberdeck
https://www.zerodisastersurvival.com/post/digital-prepping-is-the-cyberdeck-a-necessary-tool-for-the-apocalypse
https://cyberdeck.cafe/build
RATIS
https://electronicsdeli.net/2020/11/22/cyberdeck-build-r-a-t-i-s/
Digital Continuity Kit
https://www.zerodisastersurvival.com/post/building-a-digital-continuity-kit
CIVTAK/ATAK
https://www.civtak.org/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbiFR6MiKBtUOMdn5SbXE-g
wolf_from_wv:
Excellent links. Thank you for sharing. I will be going thru them.
An android without cell service is a tablet basically. But you can share docs with others locally via wifi or hotspot. So if you had an android phone with an external drive. You could share everything with whoever you wanted - locally.
Assuming the power is out. A computer with a wireless router would work similarly. But it would be much larger and draw alot more power.
My current phone takes a 128gb micro sd card. I have about 8gb of survival and other docs on it. Enough that I could not read them all in a lifetime. My old android takes a 64gb card I think. And has a removable battery. I think I have 5 spares. And an external charger that can hook up to a solar panel or larger battery.
The external drives use a fair amount of power. So it may be easier to use sd cards. I bought a 512gb on black friday for like 15 bucks iirc. Two of those and you've got a tb of data. And they are smaller than a fingernail. Not as hardy as a solid state drive. But perhaps once stationary that would be a better option.
I always try to consider worse case scenario. Like a PAW.
In a PAW having all that data - low powered, small enough to take in your pack, with rechargeable/removable spare batteries seems like the sweet spot at this point of our discussion. But please convince me otherwise. Cause if you do I'll know it's an even better solution. :)
This is a very good thread. For powering your devices in an emergency I'm adding a new topic in "Electric Power" forum.
Quote from: Z.O.R.G. on December 31, 2023, 10:27:58 AMThis 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.
Quote from: wolf_from_wv on January 01, 2024, 12:23:10 AMQuote from: Z.O.R.G. on December 31, 2023, 10:27:58 AMThis 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.
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.
like these?
The best rugged tablets (https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-rugged-tablet/)
Quote from: Z.O.R.G. on January 01, 2024, 12:38:39 PMlike these?
The best rugged tablets (https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-rugged-tablet/)
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.
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
Quote from: wolf_from_wv on January 01, 2024, 09:14:53 PMI 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.
Some great ideas have been in here while I've been away.
For the tough tablets, I have a Panasonic Toughpad G2 (https://oc.connect.panasonic.com/au/en/products/toughbook/toughbook-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.
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).
Quote from: Z.O.R.G. on January 02, 2024, 04:43:45 PMSuneate, 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"?
Quote from: Moab on January 02, 2024, 04:51:19 PMQuote from: Z.O.R.G. on January 02, 2024, 04:43:45 PMSuneate, 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.
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!)
Quote from: Z.O.R.G. on January 02, 2024, 04:43:45 PMSuneate, 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.
Quote from: Moab on January 02, 2024, 04:51:19 PMWhat 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.
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...).
Quote from: wolf_from_wv on January 02, 2024, 09:38:59 PMTo 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.
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.