My life takes yet another radical change next week as I begin a new job in Philadelphia requiring a daily commute via train (over 1 hour each way). Thus, I was naturally concerned how this new schedule would affect my . . . blogging. With a fixed work schedule, a long commute, two kids, and the daily tasks of keeping a family of four together, I worried that my blogging days might be over. When would I ever find the time to blog?
Dad to the rescue! Hearing of my predicament my dad offered me an old laptop, allowing me to blog on the train to and from work. I am now equipped with a Sony Vaio SuperSlim Pro notebook, model PCG-5211. It’s about 6 years old, and runs Windows 98 (which is no longer supported by Microsoft). Since it is running Windows 98, I had a challenge finding a RSS reader that would work on Windows 98 AND allow me to read blogs offline. But I found one – BottomFeeder. It’s slightly akward, but it does the trick, working on Windows 98 and allowing me to upload blog content to read offline on the train. Using Microsoft Notepad, I will also be able to write new blog posts and comments for other blogs which I will post when I get to an internet connection, probably at night when I get home (drafting posts in Notepad avoids all the code clutter that happens writing blog posts in Word). I’ve also downloaded and installed Mozilla Firefox, and have ordered a new battery for this old computer.
Of course, for this CPE Residency I’ll have papers to write and books to read. The train will be useful for these activities as well. Armed with this computer, a few books, and my cell phone FM radio tuned to NPR (I am one of the last GenXers in America without an iPod), these daily commutes will go by quickly and, I hope, productively.
See you on the R5!
The Lutheran Zephyr 
Don’t know how you feel about Linux, but a machine as old as that should be perfectly happy running a lightweight version of a free Unix.
On the other hand, you may have enough of a real life to keep it simple and continue using Windows 98. Personally, it gives me hives 😉
Gustaf,
I’d love to run Linux, but I know so little about it that I’m just as happy using Windows 98 and hoping, praying, and crossing my fingers that nothing goes wrong!