Software for travel diary.

Thought about that too, but wasn't sure.

Have thought about that but my family and many friends are either IT illiterate or not interested in the web.

Hi Austravel,

That's exactly what my 81 year old father said when I installed a computer for him at home. Today he would not go a day without doing some internet surfing!!!!

Thanks Davo, will be using a laptop (when I pick which one to buy) and not interested in uploading it to the web. So may just go with the suggestion of Powerpoint and/or Word.

If burnt to a DVD can it be played through a DVD recorder onto a tv, eg same as playing a movie?

Yes, you should be able to do this without a problem.
You may need some editing software though.
I think Pinnacle Studio software is fairly intuitive. Do some research on video editing software prior to purchasing it.

I'd suggest that you make sure when you select a laptop that it has a built in DVD burner. Preferrably a dual layer burner; you may not "need" it now, but if you keep the laptop for a few year, it will no doubt be required eventually.

Also ensure that you buy an S-video out cable (if not supplied with the notebook), so that you can play from the laptop direct to the TV.

I bought a 12V handycam battery charger that charges the video camcorder batteries from the car's socket whilst driving, this way you can take a fair bit of footage; you can also run the handycam direct from the vehicle's power supply if need be, good for some in-car 4WD footage without draining batteries.

if you create mpeg/avi files, you can embed these into a powerpoint presentation fairly seemlessly and produce a very impressive little presentation.

Laptop choice?
depending on budget, Look at a Panasonic Toughbook, moving around witha laptop, you're likely to drop it, and these things are tough.
Second choice would be a Toshiba.
My Fujitsu Lifebook P7010 is great, but I travel a lot for work, and wanted a 10.1" laptop that weighes in at about 1kg, plays DVDs, takes all formats of photo cards (with some adaptors), has an excellent display and the battery life is also very good (about 4hours, without the extended battery). Oh yeah - this functionality is not cheap - $3800, but I need it for work, so it's an expense :))
I also like small laptops; the new Fujitsu P1510 looks like a great travelling laptp/tablet hydbrid. Don't let the small text put you off if you're looking at one in the shop - you can increase this easily.

For unburstabilitiy, go for the Toughbook
For a great all-rounder go for the Toshiba, or the Fujitsu, sorry if all the options I have mentioend are expensive, but I firmly believe you get what you pay for with laptops, and buy an extended warranty if you can, along with at least 1GB of RAM for video editing

Cheers,
Dave

Thanks for all the info Dave. I intend getting a laptop and a digital camera within the next month so your info will help me to narrow it down. Only have limited $$ but certainly intend getting the extended warranty.

Thanks will check it out.

"You can import clips and video camera clips" was supposed to be "You can import pictures and video camera clips"

Thanks for the info and the software is free as I have XP. I had a quick play with it but found that it compressed the pictures I used and then when viewing at full screen it was very pixelie (spelling). So will have to spend some more time playing with it.

There is a setting when you are actually 'save movie file' which selects the format for the movie and the quality. I always use a higher quality compression such as PAL which provides better quality but does result in bigger files and more capacity on the PC.

Thanks, I'll have to set aside some time and use it, burn some examples and get used to it before I make a decision. Hopefully will get a chance to do it over the coming weeks. Do you mind if I get back to you with any questions??

no problem. Mail me @ duane_bernie@hotmail.com

Thanks.

Thanks Rusty, I was thinking of just using Word as I already have it but thought there might be something out there bigger, better and not to dear. May just go with one of the MS programs. If not will check out Ulead.