Stuff that just works | Pinnacle Newsletter #19
19 Stuff that just works
It seems I’ve spent the last couple of weeks grappling with items that haven’t worked as they should, from IT failures to faulty review products. As someone who aspires to minimalism, I hate this. If an item is causing me more hassle than it is worth, I want it out of my life, because life’s too short to waste on possessions.
It’s easy to fixate on things that go wrong or don’t work as they should. It’s a lot more difficult to appreciate the items that just quietly and reliably get on with doing what they do, so in this week’s newsletter I’d like to review a piece of tech I’ve come to rely on over the last few years.
In June 2015, I purchased the EC Technology Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard for about £20. It was a replacement for my very old Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard, and to be honest I didn’t think it would be up to much – an unknown brand, a low price, fairly generic-looking hardware from what I’d seen online.
I bought this keyboard to use with my iPhone when I travel. It weighs 184g and runs on an internal rechargeable battery that lasts for about six months on a charge. The casing is made from durable aluminium. It has simple yet ingenious plastic hinges that let it unfold to a decent width. While the keyboard doesn’t have exactly the same layout as my Mac’s keyboard, it’s a lot closer than similar products I’ve used in the past, which means it’s easier to use.
Its first real test came in September 2015 when I used it for journalling, blogging and feature writing on the Tour of Monte Rosa. It worked perfectly, and the 184g wasn’t too much of a burden to carry – although since then I have only brought it with me on trips that don’t involve ultralight backpacking.
There’s little more to say. Over the last three years I have typed tens of thousands of words on this thing. Some of the keys are starting to look a little worn, as keys eventually do on all my keyboards. It frees me from having to lug my laptop around if all I want to do is bang out a magazine feature or blog post (tasks that I can do as comfortably on my phone as I can on my Mac, thanks to the marvel that is Ulysses). The value/price ratio on this simple product is excellent.
So next time you want to smash your computer against the wall because it isn’t doing its job, take a moment to appreciate something that has served you well. You’ll feel better!
Recently published
Lightweight Backpacking in the Scottish Highlands: a mini-guide – this free online guide is aimed at newcomers to lightweight backpacking in Scotland who might be looking for advice online (much of which is very US-centric). It’s gone down well on Reddit’s Ultralight forum.
Interview: Colin Ibbotson and his monster 330-fell Lake District hike – I interviewed hiking machine Colin Ibbotson, a.k.a. Tramplite, who recently became the first person to complete a continuous walk of all the Wainwrights and Outlying Fells.
5 reasons why you should go backpacking on the Isle of Mull – a companion piece to my Ardgour/Mull feature in this month’s The Great Outdoors.
Links of interest
Saying No – I needed to read this, and if you work for yourself, you should read it too.
Cottage Interview: Tom Gale of Atom Packs – Atom Packs is one of the most exciting manufacturers of ultralight backpacking gear around right now, and this interview from Hendrik Morkel offers a fascinating insight into the process. The pack that Tom made for me this year is a unique marvel.
Early days of a better nature – “Schepers and Brooks agreed that rewilding had got off to a bumpy start in the UK, perhaps not helped by a media keen to dumb the idea down and equate it to WOLVES NOW!”
Adventures on the Turtle’s Back
From my commonplace book
The most useful laptop is the one you have with you, not the one sitting at home on a table.
– Nico Schuele, from The 12” MacBook: A Web Developer’s Perspective
Until next time,
Alex