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150 days of living and coding in a van

ruby-on-wheels.github.io

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Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#161

Post by lucaspiller »

dx034 wrote: post #114
remus wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> In Europe the 4G network coverage is amazing. Within the last five months I had less issues with my connectivity than some of my co-workers using a cable internet. Same experience for me. I've got a 4G dongle that I use for travelling and it's both faster and more reliable than my home broadband connection (no fiber available in my area). Just keeping an eye out for a cheap 4G data SIM so I can switch to the dongle…

But only if you're abroad temporarily. Living in a van could mean that you use more data abroad than in your home country. Roaming rules don't apply so you'd have to get a sim card from the country you're in.

There's also usually limitations on how much data you get for free while roaming. After you go above that it's up to €7.50/GB, so it's usually cheaper to get a local SIM.

Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#162

Post by zepolen »

mmahemoff wrote: post #94

I'm curious - don't people miss big monitors when coding on a laptop? I've done a fair amount of coding on laptops while travelling and it's okay, but I feel like a big monitor is optimal for most work and wouldn't want a permanent situation with just laptop. I like to have logs, command line, and editor all visible, and ideally a browser too. The editor alone is much more useful in a big window where you can see a f…

I've used all types of setups from triple 24" and dual 27" monitors, and every laptop from 11" up to 17"

In the end, I'm most productive on a 15" macbook at 1920x1200 resolution, the main reasons are:

0. I have my full perfect environment with me at all times, there is no switching between laptop/desktop etc. This is huge.

1. It's small and light enough that I can carry it around everywhere (unlike 17") - increasing productivity by a lot.

2. I'm forced to use the keyboard more which exercises the muscle memory so I switch much faster to any window in the current state without thinking about it.

3. My head doesn't need to move from one screen to another, this action is more expensive than an instant alt tab.

4. I found that the best work gets done in certain "focus scopes". Adding more windows/screens to this as you say "logs, command line, and editor all visible, and ideally a browser too" - leads to unnecessary visual data - since you can't process all those windows simultaneously anyway.

The 15" has just enough room to comfortably fit the necessities for each one I use:

a) 2 side by side editor @ 80 chars + file tree b) a browser window + debug tools c) terminal sessions with up to 8 panes d) a combination of browser / editor / terminal

The one exception is when needing to run background tasks which output logs - which you want to 'keep an eye' on - for this I found a vertical monitor on the side is helpful - although in the end replicated it by putting the terminals to the bottom right/left of the screen beside the dock - that way I can see the output, but they are not distracting.

Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#163

Post by virtualwhys »

sdfjkl wrote: post #135
virtualwhys wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He'll go down to the Algarve like all the other young surfers and retirees do in the winter. Loads of sun, dry, and air temps 16 to 20 degrees. It's generally gorgeous, like an extended autumn.

From what I've seen, winter is surfing season and they're on the Portuguese west coast, especially in Nazare. This is why: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=nazare+surfing&tbm=isch

> Nazare

You must be joking ;-)

I've spent 4 winters in the Algarve. While they don't get the classic beach breaks of SW France (Hossegor, Seignosse, Capbreton), there are some excellent spots down there (the point breaks at Arifana and Zavial in particular). Also, when massive winter swells come on the west coast (i.e. too big to surf), drive 30 minutes to the south coast and enjoy glassy perfection.

Locals have no problem dropping in on you, however; not as civil as the French are in that respect, but can't blame them, spots can get crowded.

Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#165

Post by theodorton »

ja27 wrote: post #144
mmahemoff wrote: post #94

I'm curious - don't people miss big monitors when coding on a laptop? I've done a fair amount of coding on laptops while travelling and it's okay, but I feel like a big monitor is optimal for most work and wouldn't want a permanent situation with just laptop. I like to have logs, command line, and editor all visible, and ideally a browser too. The editor alone is much more useful in a big window where you can see a f…

I spend most of my coding time on just a laptop (15" MBP with 1680x1050 matte screen) and the only thing that bothers me very much is the position it puts my neck in. I try to sit lower than usual to help that. I do use multiple desktops on macOS and a quick swipe of the trackpad to switch them is almost as good for me as multiple displays. I do tend to use an iPad as a aux display though. Sometimes I run Duet Displa…

Unless you're looking for a neck injury, you should get a laptop stand. It's close to impossible to maintain a good posture while working on a laptop over time.

Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#166

Post by toomanybeersies »

sdfjkl wrote: post #131
justonepost wrote: post #64

I think it's really sad and pathetic that someone can enjoy such a simple, non consumerist based life. How are you supporting the global economy? How are you proving that you are worthy? This sounds like homelessness to me. Without a home, are you really a worthwhile human being deserving of a mate? I don't think so. Unless you shop and own, man, you don't really exist.

We get this a lot. We're sailing cruisers - similar to the van thing, except on water and you use wind and pull on bits of string for propulsion, with the diesel engine only a secondary (but important) means. Especially from the mate's mother: "When are you going to stop this nonsense and get a real job and a home?".

There's a whole community of us global travelers who have shunned the whole "being an adult" thing.

I know several people that have been backpacking and doing the working-holiday thing for 4 or 5 years. Never staying in one city for more than around 3 months, and moving countries when their working holiday visa expires.

Their families have mostly been saying the same thing. Settling down isn't for everyone.

Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#167

Post by toomanybeersies »

cfn wrote: post #91
classisch wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'll probably spend the winter down in southern Portugal/Spain where temperatures are around 15 degrees in average during the winter. I've also installed an old heating that works with Diesel and electricity. But yes, summer life is easy and I'm looking forward to experience my first winter in the van. BTW: I bought the van in February and already worked and slept in the van while it was freezing cold: https://ruby-o…

Inland Portugal can be freezing cold in the Winter, we got -2 C several days in a row last year (I know, -2 C is balmy elsewhere but try it without central heating). You should be okay if you stick to the coast as the sea breezes keep the temperatures in the 10-15 C most of the time.

If you've got a good sleeping bag, -2 C isn't that bad. I've spent the night with those temperatures in the high country of New Zealand. I know people that have spent the night in -15 C temperatures.

Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#168

Post by donquichotte »

toomanybeersies wrote: post #157
donquichotte wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I found your webpage three years ago when preparing for my silk road motorcycle trip. Never thought that you were a HN member as well. Beautiful Jeep, if somewhat overengineered for my taste! :-D

I'm planning on doing the silk road (well, actually Bali to London) in the next year or two. Do you have a writeup, or any crucial tips that I wouldn't find elsewhere?

Nice, I'm envious! I have a writeup at [0]. A short summary of the things I wanted to remember for next time is here [1]. Be sure to cross through Mongolia, the landscape is astonishing. Save travels!

[0] https://goolge.io/motorcycletours/

[1] https://goolge.io/mototours/silkroadmadness/epilogue/

Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#169

Post by toomanybeersies »

retube wrote: post #2

Nice. Tricky with family though.

I know a couple who spent a year driving around New Zealand in a house-bus with their kids. It is possible.

With kids, I don't think it would be a great thing to do for super-long term. I remember reading an article recently about a family that has been traveling the world for several years with their kids. I wonder what sort of effect that would have on their social development, since they wouldn't be able to form any long-term relationships.

Re: 150 days of living and coding in a van

#170

Post by googamooga »

mmahemoff wrote: post #94

I'm curious - don't people miss big monitors when coding on a laptop? I've done a fair amount of coding on laptops while travelling and it's okay, but I feel like a big monitor is optimal for most work and wouldn't want a permanent situation with just laptop. I like to have logs, command line, and editor all visible, and ideally a browser too. The editor alone is much more useful in a big window where you can see a f…

> I'm curious - don't people miss big monitors when coding on a laptop? I've done a fair amount of coding on laptops while travelling and it's okay, but I feel like a big monitor is optimal for most work and wouldn't want a permanent situation with just laptop.

That is why we, coders, are different from other 99,99% of population of the Earth. I gave the original post to my wife and her first question was “How’s the guy coping to live alone?”. But my question was exactly this: Why he has no monitor and using that inconvinient laptop stand instead? :)

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