Geeks of the World Unite!

How I am putting my Geeky skill set to use

First thing first:

I need a way to keep my laptop, phone, iPad, camera, etc, etc, charged - I got my nifty Yeti 150 (on sale this weekend on REI - no, they are not paying me any money to advertise)

Then:

Wouldn't it be nice if I had a dash cam so I can record the endless hours of driving...

Maybe I can borrow a Go-Pro from a friend! Never got an answer...

I do not want to buy a go-pro or dash cam! I am being thrifty... oh wait a minute, I have an old phone! There is got to be a way to do this....

I Googled "how to re purpose old cell phone as dash cam" - I found many articles but I like HTG (How To Geek) - so I follow their advice.  You can read ALL About it by following the link.

I suggest you delete ALL apps, so you have a bare bones phone.  This will help with battery and memory. Delete ALL data and personal information, if you loose it, your personal information will not go with it.  You don't want to have to be constantly deleting items to make room for tomorrow's drive so if you have an android phone, just buy a whole bunch of memory cards and have them handy.

Do yourself a favor an invest in a good window mount, you don't want to be having to fiddle with it all the time.  Set it and forget it.

I downloaded both apps and I find I like AutoBoy BlackBox better.

Then as I was sitting in my car playing around with the cam app, I realized not only do I get a dash cam I am getting my own TV Studio! how cool is that! Now I see how those YouTubers do it! 

Wouldn't it be nice if I can edit the videos so I don't show endless hours of road... and just share the nice, interesting stuff? aha! another Google search... Enter  Filmora Go - from WonderShare!  It is FREE! and there is a phone app and a desktop app! And it is FREE. 

It is beautifully designed and easy to use.  Very intuitive and user friendly - you can use your phone or your laptop and did I mention it is free. 

So, tada! Here are the two test clips I made... 

I am using an android phone, so I am sticking to the Google platform for the rest of the tools. Back up of photos, videos and files.  I also re-discovered my G+ and Blogger accounts to share information.

I have Google Maps and My Google Maps - I also have paper copies and AAA Trip Tick Because those don't required chargers or data services. 

I downloaded the following apps: 

1. MyMaps (Google) - with my personalized maps
2. Free Campsites - take a guess?
3. Overnight Parking Finder - second guess
4. REI National Parks - very nice guides, beautiful pictures
5. Roadtrippers - I like this app much better than AAA for the maps and trip tips. 
6. AAA - So I can be located easier (if I have phone service)
7. Costco - don't laugh, they have gas in many locations, clean bathrooms and good hot-dogs! 

I have a link on my phone home page to:

1. Maps of the Bureau of Land Management
2. US National Park

This list may increase as the trip happens... I also know these blog posts will become smaller as the days tick by :) i'll be too busy living!