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> <channel><title>gHacks Technology News &#124; Latest Tech News, Software And Tutorials &#187; travel</title> <atom:link href="http://www.ghacks.net/tag/travel/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /><link>http://www.ghacks.net</link> <description>A technology news blog covering software, mobile phones, gadgets, security, the Internet and other relevant areas.</description> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:29:21 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en</language> <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency> <generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1</generator> <atom:link rel="hub" href="http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com"/><atom:link rel="hub" href="http://superfeedr.com/hubbub"/> <item><title>The Worst Technology For Travelers</title><link>http://www.ghacks.net/2011/01/11/the-worst-technology-for-travelers/</link> <comments>http://www.ghacks.net/2011/01/11/the-worst-technology-for-travelers/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Tue, 11 Jan 2011 08:33:13 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Brian Welsh</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[travelling geek]]></category> <category><![CDATA[bad technology]]></category> <category><![CDATA[technnology]]></category> <category><![CDATA[travel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[traveling]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://www.ghacks.net/?p=38866</guid> <description><![CDATA[Since time immemorial, experimenting and technology have been a vital factor behind man’s progress. His thirst for knowledge has exposed the unheard secrets of the universe. Our home, earth has been left in no part to be explored by him. This thirst for knowledge made him travel intensively far and wide. Initially he tread on [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Since time immemorial, experimenting  and technology have been a vital factor behind man’s progress. His thirst for knowledge has exposed the unheard secrets of the universe. Our home, earth has been left in no part to be explored by him. This thirst for knowledge made him travel intensively far and wide. Initially he tread on the earth’s surface to seek new shores. Later as his knowledge of his surroundings grew more he began to explore various mediums of travel which took him to space, under the sea, and through the air.</p><p>The docile human did not easily climb into invisible air to commute. The invincible oceans also seemed to give way to him. No physical or abstract barrier has obstructed his path. Every hurdle that he has encountered was removed with the help of years of research and experience. Over time, human progress has attained numerous unachievable milestones. The universe has been shrunk into a smaller time and space dimension. The giants of technology have taken every sphere of human activity in their stride.</p><p>There is an inconspicuous difference between a good and a bad technology. The dance of opposites is prevalent in every physical phenomenon. No entity of this universe is flawless. This is the law of Nature. This is the secret fact that strikes off the right balance for the survival of all. Humans have solely taken charge of their existence now. They have become the creator of life and also its destroyer. We have created a world of our own where technology has made everything available at the drop of a pin.</p><p> The bright world of technology is often haunted by its darker side. The over indulgences of humans in the comfort soaked world of technology have turned them into one of the several gadgets that they uses. Man is no longer an epitome of emotions but has long back become a mechanical unit.</p><p>He uses technology not just to derive pleasure for his body but also to maximize the efficiency of his body parts as well. This makes him think less and avoid trivial calculations too. Eventually the mind restricts its work to certain mundane tasks and creativity is hampered. This is the effect of a negative technology. The one which was not created for such an effect but due to its prolonged use its output goal has changed. The pleasure provided is such that reasoning takes a backseat. This is the cause behind every creation that becomes a stumbling block on the road of progress. Therefore no technology can be judged as a boon or a bane for mankind until its is effect is made certain.</p><p>The computer industry is flooded with new launches every day. The manufacturing firms are in a cut throat competition with each other. The soaring prices of the latest products does not hamper their sale. The demand for faster, smaller, and more expensive gadgets is unending.</p><p>The latest fad is gifting of these fancy possessions on just any occasion to even the youngest of users. Be it the birthday of an artist’s muse or the winning of an award. The question that whether traveling with a high class ultra expensive computer is really the best option or worst can only be answered by them. The panorama of the peoples traveling mode narrates a different saga. The incessant spam, huge number of websites devoted specifically to selling huckster products, affiliate sites, and rip offs never seem to stop. The technology that was aimed at providing privacy and comfort turns out to be the worst way to find travel deals. The huge number of bargain airfare sites all seem to give higher numbers than the airlines themselves. If you take the time to use an old fashioned travel agent, you find that the price is lower still. Where is the progress?</p><p> Technology available for travelers is not only confined to the laptop and internet sectors. The quality of comfort desired by the tech savvy humans today has led to an added baggage of gadgets to be carried while touring. Be it an i- pod, electric heater, or the most essential mobile phones.</p><p>The day that we forget to carry our cell phones turns into a nightmare. The number of mobile phone users is ever increasing. Though mobile   technology has made the world safer and has increased interaction,it has not yet found a way to slash down high roaming rates!</p><p>Our dependence on cell phones is frightening. This amazing gadget is found in almost every citizen’s pocket today. The office goers, school kids, and college goers have the fancy ones while the rest have just regular &#8216;old&#8217; ones of 6 months or more. The market however knows how to capitalize on this dependence by raising the bar of tolls on far off calls.</p><p>There is no way to escape this absurd protocol. International calls can even cost up to nine time higher call rates. This monetary loss is incurred by all of us and makes us give a second thought to answering your best friends call in outstations. The best way to avoid a pestering friend’s call is to give an excuse of the mobile’s battery being dead. What if it happens for real while traveling?? It can result in big problems.</p><p>Everyone wants the latest phones with the best features incorporated in them. A traveler cannot be said to be lonely if he has the latest blackberry or smart phone. The internet connectivity, large music storage, and infinite gaming options leave no time for a traveler to appreciate his surroundings.</p><p>The high appeal of this technology has taken a massive toll on the young. Even the youngest kids can  efficiently operate their dad’s cellphone. This results in making him a social being but in the virtual world instead of the real one. Add to that that the harmful radiation that emanates from our mobile phones is known to cause sterility in men. and you start to see just what the worst technology for travelers might be.</p><p>While traveling we often witness a cellphone attached to the ear of someone and we tend to accept the mental absence from within the group activity. Eventually this causes the person to become totally disconnected from the present life situation. The unending frequency of calls from the workplace may also ruin a family trip.</p><p>The mobile phone is  undoubtedly the worst technology for travelers.  Because the entire workplace will know about your whereabouts, the mobile leaves no scope for a personal time for recreation.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.ghacks.net/2011/01/11/the-worst-technology-for-travelers/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>5</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>The Most Useful Websites for Travel</title><link>http://www.ghacks.net/2011/01/04/the-most-useful-websites-for-travel/</link> <comments>http://www.ghacks.net/2011/01/04/the-most-useful-websites-for-travel/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:19:49 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Brian Welsh</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[travelling geek]]></category> <category><![CDATA[travel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[traveling]]></category> <category><![CDATA[traveling resources]]></category> <category><![CDATA[traveling websites]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://www.ghacks.net/?p=38685</guid> <description><![CDATA[There are many books and websites available on the net today that offer planned nature trips at the lowest possible prices, but for those with an independent streak who don&#8217;t want to carry a book everywhere with them, there are options too. . Wikitravel is one such website that is frequently visited by travel lovers [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There are many books and websites available on the net today that offer planned nature trips at the lowest possible prices, but for those with an independent streak who don&#8217;t want to carry a book everywhere with them, there are options too. .</p><p><a
href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Main_Page">Wikitravel</a> is one such website that is frequently visited by travel lovers to search for the best holiday destinations in exotic or domestic locations teamed with a promise of adventure and culture It provides the comments of experts which can be useful in choosing the best areas to travel to.   Similarly Facebook has more than a few pages that provide the complete head to toe about traveling in Australia, Southeast Asia, Africa, North and South America. It also provides links to various sites that offer other interesting travel options as well. The best mode of transport as well as the best airline options are presented to the visitors of the website.</p><p><img
src="http://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/wikitravel-550x401.jpg" alt="wikitravel" title="wikitravel" width="550" height="401" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-38686" /></p><p>For those looking for general information a good source is <a
href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa">The Thorn Tree</a>, which is the name of the travelers forum maintained by Lonely Planet. This  website provides a traveler with a huge number of reviews, personal advice, and suggestions of gadgets and other essentials to carry while traveling. Before embarking on a journey what a traveler needs to do is to just surf through this site for primary level of planning of his trip.</p><p><a
href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/">Tripadvisor</a> gives the traveler complete knowledge of any place to visit. Be it the best travel option, the best hotel facility, the best restaurant or even the availability of tickets. Thus it helps in planning a complete travel package for an individual or family alike.</p><p><a
href="http://www.makemytrip.com/">Makemytrip</a> is another very popular travel website. It provides quality information on every aspect of travel. Whether  it renting a car,  bus travel, or information on visa services. It has tied a business knot with Amadeus, a leading technology provider to ensure that travelers are well equipped with every small bit information.</p><p>Another site that is less well known is <a
href="http://us.yatra.com/">Yatra.com</a>. Certain big IT companies such as Intel and Reliance are its business associates. It ensures that traveling with technology becomes a good experience for travelers as it provides all round information right from the beginning to the conclusion of one’s trip.</p><p><a
href="http://Mercurytravels.com">Mercurytravels.com</a> is a reliable travel planner. It provides a chart of the most sophisticated travel guides such as SOTC, Thomas Cook, or Cox and Kings. This site is frequently visited by travelers who wish to make overseas trips. This site boasts of fulfilling the demand of pure vegetarian food for its customers.</p><p>For those traveling on a budget or seeking more independent travel a great source of travel information, cheap flights, and great travel gear is <a
href="http://www.Vagobond.com/">Vagobond.com</a>. This independent travel site tends to look at how travel can be accomplished by even those on the tightest of budgets.</p><p><a
href="http://www.Ixibo.com/">Ixibo.com</a>, on the other hand,  is a website that pertains to the tech savvy traveler. It aids on almost every technical fix that a traveler might need while traveling away from home. It provides news on the latest technological innovations. This also helps the traveler to buy the best and the latest gadgets available in the market.</p><p><a
href="http://www.thetravelerszone.com/">The TravelersZone</a> is a site that offers options for the best gadget to be carried while traveling. It also highlights the assets of all those gadgets. These range from a language translator to Wi–Fi connectivity provider gizmos.</p><p>There are literally millions of sites that pertain to the travel interests of people. The internet is a vast pool of knowledge that has information packets waiting to be opened by an avid surfer. What is required by us is the knowledge of the location of these sites.</p><p>The first thing that usually pops on our computer screen after switching on the internet is the amazing Google search engine. In fact, it is the best guide that helps any surfer to reach the area of his interest. Even one word that we know can help us to get the knowledge we need about a location, activity, or destination.</p><p>For the business traveler, finding a virtual assistant to take care of their business needs might be a primary concern.</p><p><a
href="http://www.igt.in/">InterGlobe Technologies</a> is a leading Business Protocol Outsourcing (BPO) that provides quality technology for travel. Every brief and detailed information is provided for a traveler’s total comfort.</p><p>In this  era of advanced globalization where interviews are taken via video conference and theories of national importance are also discussed in a similar manner, business world professionals have to keep themselves abreast of the latest technology. More than just keeping them up to date, this helps them enhance the sphere of their activity. The dependence on technology is so much  that in times of distress humans have learned to turn to technology for providing solace.</p><p>Traveling has become synonymous with business expansion and technology has become its better half. Together they have the potential to generate the gross domestic product of a nation and its people. The modern times require extensive traveling within one’s home country as well as overseas. Technology has wrapped each one of us within its veils of comfort and contention. We are bound to delve into its multifarious terrain owing to the all around encompassing nature of it and the sphere of ease that it bestows on us.</p><p>Technology has the power to guide us through every sort of confusion. The answer to any question that seemed to have no answer is obtained simply by the click of a mouse. The internet is the ultimate resource of knowledge and offers infinite avenues of development.</p><p>Human beings do not have to sit in a conference to finalize the best deal. A quick search through the net serves as the best way to find any information. Whether it is buying a piece of property in a far off locality or choosing the best out of the infinite traveling options, the internet helps strike the best deal. The right website can be the best location to obtain profound knowledge about the subject of one’s study. Its authenticity is at times endangered given the numerous site options that are available. To choose some of the best sites that are  used by travelers is a difficult task.</p><p>At times the technology and sites that we surf may be fake and mislead us but in the wider view technology has only made life simpler for travelers. The planning that goes into making a perfect trip need not be done months or years in advance. All that is required is that we know how to do quality research and choose the best from among the millions of options. We just need to search for the best sites that suit our traveling demands The highly demanding job profiles of the present era have created a niche for workaholics, but for those who want to work and travel, they now have the time to go through the enticing technological innovations and use them for attaining their business goals. The internet is the solution to all of the world&#8217;s travel problems.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.ghacks.net/2011/01/04/the-most-useful-websites-for-travel/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>7</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>The Best Technology for Travelers</title><link>http://www.ghacks.net/2010/12/28/the-best-technology-for-travelers/</link> <comments>http://www.ghacks.net/2010/12/28/the-best-technology-for-travelers/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Tue, 28 Dec 2010 08:22:32 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Brian Welsh</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[travelling geek]]></category> <category><![CDATA[technology]]></category> <category><![CDATA[travel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[travelers]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://www.ghacks.net/?p=38406</guid> <description><![CDATA[You are probably expecting me to go into a review of a new laptop or tablet here, but that&#8217;s not at all what I&#8217;m going to do. Indeed, sometimes we forget that the best technology for travelers is that which allows them to travel at all. When you strip away the internet, smart phones, and [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You are probably expecting me to go into a review of a new laptop or tablet here, but that&#8217;s not at all what I&#8217;m going to do. Indeed, sometimes we forget that the best technology for travelers is that which allows them to travel at all. When you strip away the internet, smart phones, and other gadgets, what are you left with? Transport.</p><p>The evolution of man was not enough to help him survive and thrive. He had to move out of his niche and metamorphose from a barbaric creature to a civilized one. He started to experiment with his immediate surroundings. The innate inquisitiveness of a human led him into knowing the mysteries surrounding nature. Gradually he learned to make use of them for his personal benefits. Fire provided him with warmth, water washed away his dirt, and animal hide protected him against the cold. He then moved from this primary ground knowledge to the more advanced level.</p><p>Creator’s creation – man became a creator himself. The invention of the wheel is one such invention that caused man’s pace of progress to dart towards ever soaring heights. Mankind was introduced to a new phenomenon of exhilarating comfort via the bullock cart, plow, and also the pulley wheel. The wheel made man free to move into a wider space of knowledge and resource. His energy came to be utilized then and he began to reap the rewards of his efforts.</p><p>This invention was conducive to growth and hence life began to be centered on it. It had many advantages. It proved to be a time saver and also reduced the mechanical effort by a large fraction. Also the output obtained had the best satisfaction level. The wheel made commuting short distances a pleasure and with this pleasure, mankind tried to seek more ways of getting benefit from it. Enter the joy of traveling. Traveling became a hassle free task. With the beginnings of primary globalization more  and greater distances needed to be covered in the  shortest time frame.</p><p>This resulted in the birth of a dimensionless pool of facts and their applications. It has since come to be known as Technology. It covers all the spheres of human development. The development that was a result of research, need and desire for progress.</p><p>Today we have innumerable options of employing technology in our travels. Each new gizmo or gadget tries to lure us with innumerable touts and examples of their respective benefits. The various offers do not seem to ever reach an endpoint. Each minute brings in a modified version of its half a minute elder sibling into the technical world. V1 leads to V2 and 1.0 leads to 2.5. And so it goes.</p><p>This makes traveling a well calculated affair. The race towards higher progress has been replaced by the race towards higher income. Hence the modern traveler is under both severe economic and time constraints. The best choice is for a a limited time only since it suffers constant competition from the others. The modern man is withering between his choices. To choose the best for all time is not possible because each has a built in obsolescence date which is a unique characteristic asset of its own.</p><p>The technology offered to travelers knows no bounds. To travel through air is equally convenient as compared to traveling through the gushing waters. Faster versus more comfortable. There can be no comparative grounds between a submarine and a Boeing. Of course submarine travel isn&#8217;t yet a commonplace situation, but perhaps it will be.Each has its own set of privilege and luxury. While one takes us into the heart of the ocean the other makes us fly through the vertical limits. Similarly the cost effectiveness of train travel has no meeting grounds with that of a cruise.</p><p>In a world such as ours it is important to give at least a semblance to maintaining the equilibrium level of  income. Our democratic leaning world demands both more and higher public transport usage. Due to economic constraints we cannot afford to provide the entire population with equality of  quality in the desired mode of travel. Hence the best technology for travelers is undoubtedly trains, trams, and buses. These offer the best combination of public accessibility, speed, and cost effectiveness.</p><p>Another very important factor is the geography of a place. This again narrows the spectrum of travel options. In Bhutan, for instance, the rocky terrain gives no way to the construction of railway tracks. Hence the best way to travel is via air or through government supported buses.</p><p>Traveling also offers the best means of recreation. Be it for a family tour or for business travel, there are an array of automobile options. The best technology available is private cars and private buses. The private sector has made a major contribution to each country’s aggregate transport system. To choose the best from the best travel deal is a tough choice.</p><p>In the present scenario, we hold witness of the fact that the world has awakened to global environmental concerns. There are many viable options of green automobiles that help us become agents of social change. The importance of renewable energy has been recognized. Finally, conventional fuel is starting to be replaced by energy efficient fuels that reduce poisonous emissions. Also we have an option of choosing from the solar cell operated vehicles. Thus less energy consuming technology becomes the best for travelers.</p><p>And as we come full circle, the bullock cart seems to be the best choice for reducing the rampant pollution level! Yet what was a boon for the ancient times does not fit into the modern lifestyle. The standard of life has risen. Life moves way ahead of the snail’s pace. Even a student today cannot travel without the school bus. We need to bring the most primary mode of travel into full swing. The multitude of traffic jams and the thronging crowd needs to be managed. The technology that best meets these demands is bicycle commuting.</p><p>Unlike the way a Mercedes pertains to the elite class, the use of bicycles is not confined to any such constraint. It has been used as a mode of travel by all classes. It is undoubtedly the best technology for travelers. The health benefit by cycling is icing on the cake. In addition, the low cost of its maintenance and easy handling makes it the best.</p><p>To choose the best technology for travelers means that we need to fulfill certain parameters. The personal choice of each individual plays a vital role. To choose one technology over the other does not necessarily make the chosen one the best. The rapid pace of advancement of technology itself offers tough competition to the existing tech. The human resources invested in industry is massive. As a result we constantly hear of new travel inventions each day. This holds good promise for the future. The world is looking forward to the ‘best’ technology with a universal appeal and practicality.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.ghacks.net/2010/12/28/the-best-technology-for-travelers/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>4</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Thoughts on Technology and Travel</title><link>http://www.ghacks.net/2010/12/14/thoughts-on-technology-and-travel/</link> <comments>http://www.ghacks.net/2010/12/14/thoughts-on-technology-and-travel/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Tue, 14 Dec 2010 06:43:23 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Brian Welsh</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[travelling geek]]></category> <category><![CDATA[technology]]></category> <category><![CDATA[travel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[traveling]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://www.ghacks.net/?p=37933</guid> <description><![CDATA[Traveling with technology requires a certain je ne sais quoi, that sense of something that the French sum up so well with a simple “I don&#8217;t know”. These days, it seems all of our travel is involved in some sort of high tech process, whether it is the jumbo jets navigation system or the toll [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Traveling with technology requires a certain je ne sais quoi, that sense of  something that the French sum up so well with a simple “I don&#8217;t know”.  These days, it seems all of our travel is involved in some sort of high tech process, whether it is the jumbo jets navigation system or the toll booths on a super highway. One thing is for certain, technology is everywhere and it isn&#8217;t going to go away. If it does, travel as we know it will also disappear.</p><p>Man created a world of his own centered around the world’s creations. He found out the super formula of technology and continues to grow stronger by its use. Technology is all around us. It has a world of its own that is comfortable and offers a wide array of attractive options.</p><p>Technology made humans search new shores. The intensity of man&#8217;s travel has caused technology to prosper. This is of little significance as long as both are growing unhampered. The competition between the supremacy between technology and man does not hold any value until man’s intelligence continues to create an anti technology to curb its disastrous effects.</p><p>Naturally, the power to think and plan was imparted to human beings. This is the only factor that sets us apart from the other creatures of the living world.  Vision, intelligence, organization and planning are hence the most fundamental essential for any long or short term plan. The journey of miles begins with a single step. Planning is the basic unit of a successful endeavor. Ferdinand Magellan didn&#8217;t go around the world just to quench his thirst of exploration and probably had a clear planned course of action. It is not possible in the current scenario.</p><p>With the earth being explored to its deepest cavern, there is no avenue left to be discovered. This helps us in making traveling a well calculated and planned event. This re –establishes the eminence of a thorough planning down to the minutest detail. Planning is an art acquired through experience and research. An effective plan is the one that gives ample space to each parameter offered in proportion to its importance quotient. A planned activity need not be conventional but is sure to be the most convenient one.</p><p>The planning done before traveling holds much value today, given the frequent business and family trips, under restrained time and money parameters. Technology that is known to make life easier for us makes the journey comfortable. We live in a technical world. So wherever we travel, planning and technology go together.</p><p>The technology that best suites the demands of travel should have the feature of being cost effective and handy. The smaller the gadget the higher its likeliness to be chosen as a travel partner. Mobile phones, iPods, mp3 players, video games, and laptops are the favorite companions of many. The planning that goes into taking them along does not require too much thinking. Travelers have learned  to create extra space for them.</p><p>The long, rough, and unknown stretches can be easily crossed while listening to favorite tracks or while watching the favorite love classics for the nth time! This ensures that to have our favorite gadget is a must. Technology spins an individual’s home anywhere by surrounding him with his most used objects. This feeling of security escorts the traveler and makes him comfortable.</p><p>The mode of commuting is another subject of travel that requires effective planning. The chosen option should best suite an individual’s demands. Whether one wants to travel via air, train, or cruise has to be resolved before traveling. Technology cannot yet perceive the vague imaginations of a human mind; it is the slave of human actions. Hence its output will  be satisfactory only when the best plan is applied to it.</p><p>Technology comes with a price tag. A hefty amount ensures a more self sufficient unit of technology. Traveling can become a dream come true experience only if the right situations are chosen. To be able to plan it all correctly means one can play the right cards at the right time. To travel with a costly airline that offers the best level of service to its customer is a boon for a lone traveler but can prove to be a problem if he chooses to travel with his entire family. He would rather plan to opt for an airline that offers cost effective family trips.</p><p>Similarly a tiny electric rod used for making tea and warming milk can help prevent travelers from suffering severe pangs of hunger. This is cost effective as well. The pain relief sprays, thermometer, and acupuncture gadgets for seniors, if carried on a travel junket can continue to provide them with comfort in every situation. Electrically heated blankets can protect against jaw dropping cold climates.</p><p>There are several life saving kits available today to be used in case of mishaps. A good travel plan should be able to provide benefit even in the worst situation. Also its effect should be aimed not only to aid an individual, but it should be such that  fellow travelers are equally benefited by it.</p><p> Technology and planning both are raised to another level if one travels for adventure. Mountain cyclists have to be well equipped with the best time repair gadgets. Similarly the jungle safari traveler needs to have the best pair of binoculars to get the best views. Mountaineers require the best travel suits that protect them against altitude sickness.</p><p>Traveling at the fastest pace no longer is the demarcation between a winner and an average player. It is the perfection of planning and organization that finally bags the prize. Hence it can be concluded that the adoption of a certain technology can prove to be thoroughly useful only if the requisite planning is done effectively. Also this choice varies for every individual traveler. Yet the central idea of  planned travel remains unchallenged. Make your plan and then stick to it.<br
/> .</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.ghacks.net/2010/12/14/thoughts-on-technology-and-travel/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>6</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Google enters flights travel market</title><link>http://www.ghacks.net/2010/07/03/google-enters-flights-travel-market/</link> <comments>http://www.ghacks.net/2010/07/03/google-enters-flights-travel-market/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Sat, 03 Jul 2010 21:32:04 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Mike Halsey MVP</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Google]]></category> <category><![CDATA[flights]]></category> <category><![CDATA[travel]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://www.ghacks.net/?p=27897</guid> <description><![CDATA[Search giant Google has made a surprise move into the travel business with the acquisition of  flight information firm ITA Software, as reported by the BBC.  The firm provides software that organises fares, flights and journey times.  These are then used by airlines, travel agents and flight comparison websites. Google have hinted that they may [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Search giant Google has made a surprise move into the travel business with the acquisition of  flight information firm ITA Software, as reported by the BBC.  The firm provides software that organises fares, flights and journey times.  These are then used by airlines, travel agents and flight comparison websites.</p><p>Google have hinted that they may expand the features of the software to enable users to search directly for flight destinations, and with the company&#8217;s history of consumer-oriented products, this could well be a possibility.</p><p><span
id="more-27897"></span>&#8220;What we&#8217;re going to do is build new flight search tools that focus on end users,&#8221; said Google chief executive Eric Schmidt.  He went on to say though that Google would not be looking to sell airline tickets direct to consumers.</p><p>With the travel business so huge this is not an unexpected move for Google.  What it gives them is further tools that work within search and data organisation.  The logical next step for the company after this would be a similar move into insurance.</p><blockquote><p>Google confirmed it was also working on a project that would enable users to search for hotels, with the results displayed on Google Maps. That could put put it on a collision course with firms like Expedia, Travelocity and Opodo.</p></blockquote><p>Google is set on building a complete eco-system that can reasonably be compared to that of Yahoo! when the Internet was young.  Back then, their directories system was a system similar to what Google are currently building.  The company clearly believes that consumers want a single portal from which to access everything they need information on in their lives.  This would be an extremely interesting swing back.</p><p>It remains to be seen at this point exactly what Google&#8217;s intentions are for this new acquisition.</p><p><strong>Update:</strong> Google is now displaying flights if a user searches for flight related information.</p><p><a
href="http://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/google-flights.jpg"><img
src="http://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/google-flights-600x471.jpg" alt="google flights" title="google flights" width="600" height="471" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-53851" /></a></p><p>The results lead directly to airlines that fly to the selected destination.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.ghacks.net/2010/07/03/google-enters-flights-travel-market/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>6</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>RouteRank Finds The Fastest, Cheapest And Most CO2 Friendly Travelling Route</title><link>http://www.ghacks.net/2009/11/09/routerank-finds-the-fastest-cheapest-and-most-co2-friendly-travelling-route/</link> <comments>http://www.ghacks.net/2009/11/09/routerank-finds-the-fastest-cheapest-and-most-co2-friendly-travelling-route/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:30:16 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Martin Brinkmann</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Open Source]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Web]]></category> <category><![CDATA[holiday]]></category> <category><![CDATA[routerank]]></category> <category><![CDATA[travel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[traveling costs]]></category> <category><![CDATA[traveling time]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://www.ghacks.net/?p=18341</guid> <description><![CDATA[Ever asked yourself if you should take the car, train or plane on your next holiday or business trip? Maybe you have even tried to calculate the traveling time and expenses for the various traveling options. Doing that manually can take quite some time. That&#8217;s where the new web service routeRank steps in. RouteRank queries [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Ever asked yourself if you should take the car, train or plane on your next holiday or business trip? Maybe you have even tried to calculate the traveling time and expenses for the various traveling options. Doing that manually can take quite some time. That&#8217;s where the new web service routeRank steps in. RouteRank queries many different traveling services like airlines or train companies to calculate the best way of traveling to a selected destination.</p><p>The service will display all results based on the cheapest possible price with the option to change the sorting factor to either time, means of travel or CO2 emission. It will display the departure and arrival date and the number of legs for each transportation means.</p><p><span
id="more-18341"></span><img
src="http://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/routerank-500x363.jpg" alt="routerank" title="routerank" width="500" height="363" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-18342" /></p><p>The information offered by routeRank make it very comfortable to find suitable means of travel. It is even possible to customize the car that might be used for the travel (including petrol type, fuel consumption and petrol price) as well as the departure and arrival transfer means which will be included in the calculation.</p><p><img
src="http://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/customize_car-500x253.jpg" alt="customize car" title="customize car" width="500" height="253" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-18343" /></p><p>A quick sample route from Berlin, Germany to London, UK revealed the following: The most environmentally friendly way of traveling is by train with a CO2 emission of 57 kg, a traveling time of 10:15 hours, a price of 169,50 Euro and three legs. The fastest way is by plane which would cut the traveling time almost by half to 5:40 hours. The price would be 54,30 and the CO2 emission at 212 kg. Traveling by car would be the most expensive, longest and environmentally unfriendly way of traveling between the two locations.</p><p>One interesting aspect here is that the service is considering the transfer to and from some of the locations. If you use one of the cheap airlines you usually do not arrive at the main airport of the destination but another airport that is sometimes badly connected to the city. RouteRank takes this into account.</p><p><a
href="http://www.routerank.com/en-ch/">RouteRank</a> is an interesting service for users who want to quickly see the best means of traveling between two locations based on important parameters such as traveling costs and time.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.ghacks.net/2009/11/09/routerank-finds-the-fastest-cheapest-and-most-co2-friendly-travelling-route/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Explore the world with Schmap</title><link>http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/17/explore-the-world-with-schmap/</link> <comments>http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/17/explore-the-world-with-schmap/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Sat, 17 May 2008 12:09:04 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Daniel Pataki</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Online Services]]></category> <category><![CDATA[References]]></category> <category><![CDATA[maps]]></category> <category><![CDATA[travel]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4162</guid> <description><![CDATA[Google Earth is unbeatable when finding stuff, looking at the world, finding your route and so on, but it doesn&#8217;t really give you information on what the places you see are like. Schmap is service I found which tries to bring together Google Maps, and actual information on places to get you valuable travel guide [...]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Google Earth is unbeatable when finding stuff, looking at the world, finding your route and so on, but it doesn&#8217;t really give you information on what the places you see are like. <a
title="vacation information " href="http://sanfrancisco.schmap.com" target="_blank">Schmap</a> is service I found which tries to bring together Google Maps, and actual information on places to get you valuable travel guide quality info.</p><p>I found that the information was quite helpful and detailed, there was even loads of info on Budapest where I live. History was accurate and thorough and although there were only 18 places to see, these were well picked with nice photos and descriptions. Tour suggestions were also well written and show pretty much what needs to be seen when traveling to Budapest for the first time, and even events were accurate and updated.</p><p>Schmap also makes a desktop application named Schmap Guides Desktop which contains all this data in a downloadable form. You can download various cities, or choose packs which contain all American, all European, or every single destination available. The desktop software is great if you&#8217;re traveling somewhere, and it also enables you to print custom guides for yourself, a great way to get to know a place.</p><p><span
id="more-4162"></span></p><p><img
class="alignleft size-full wp-image-4163" src="http://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/schmap.gif" alt="Schmap Logo" width="156" height="73" />The only real problem with Schmap is that there aren&#8217;t enough destinations. You&#8217;ll find them if you go to big places like capitols, but if you want to go to a seaside city in Italy, you won&#8217;t find an entry. I think Schmap would be one of the most useful aps on the net if they manage to build such an infrastructure. Since I&#8217;m going to Italy this Summer, I would urge them to hurry up!</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/17/explore-the-world-with-schmap/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Please Bringsome</title><link>http://www.ghacks.net/2007/09/10/please-bringsome/</link> <comments>http://www.ghacks.net/2007/09/10/please-bringsome/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 10 Sep 2007 09:35:50 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Martin Brinkmann</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Online Services]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Web]]></category> <category><![CDATA[bringsome]]></category> <category><![CDATA[goods]]></category> <category><![CDATA[holiday]]></category> <category><![CDATA[souvenirs]]></category> <category><![CDATA[travel]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://www.ghacks.net/2007/09/10/please-bringsome/</guid> <description><![CDATA[Have you ever been in the situation that you have been visiting a foreign country only to find out that they had a unique good there that you needed a constant supply of ? Or something that you did not buy during your visit but are craving for now ? Bringsome may be the solution in all of those cases.]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Have you ever been in the situation that you have been visiting a foreign country only to find out that they had a unique good there that you needed a constant supply of ? Or something that you did not buy during your visit but are craving for now ? Bringsome may be the solution in all of those cases.</p><p>I was in Sweden just a few months ago and found some great tasting sweets over there. I bought lots of them but they are unfortunately gone by the time of writing this article and I would really want a constant supply of that sweets. Bringsome brings people together.</p><p>People that are living in the country are offering to send goods from that country to others and so are people on vacation.</p><p><img
src="http://www.ghacks.net/files/screens/2007/09/bringsome.jpg" align="left" alt="bringsome" />Bringsome lists wanted and offered ads on their website bringing those who crave for items and those who can supply them together.</p><p><span
id="more-1981"></span>The site is currently in beta which means that you will not find that many ads yet but they are surely on the rise. A cooperation with one of the big travel websites would do wonders though.</p><p>Bringsome offers a nice unique concept and guess what I found a supplier for Swedish goods there.</p><p><strong>Read More:</strong></p><p><a
href="http://www.bringsome.com/">Bringsome</a> Homepage</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.ghacks.net/2007/09/10/please-bringsome/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>4</slash:comments> </item> </channel> </rss>
