Tools of the Trade, Pt. 1

So, I thought it might be useful to detail the limited investment in tools that it takes to become a historian. As it turns out, there isn't a whole lot to it. See, I had thought about being a notary, but you need your own stamp, book, and what not. Way too much capital up front.

Computers have long been a splurge item for me as I love the possibility of technology. Therefore, its pretty great that I can, from time to time, justify the expense of new computer items in the pursuit of my professional goals. One instance of that has been my recent purchase of an Aspire One netbook.

This little gem has proven invaluable to me, and altogether, it has set me back a little less than $300. Being smaller and cheaper than a "regulation sized" notebook computer has been great. I slip in in the book bag along with today's research material and off to the library I go. More often though, its being used to take notes in the lecture I TA for or project material when I'm wearing my professor hat (guess which one that is and there may be a prize). This little one is of the linux variety, and is now running Ubuntu 9.04 release candidate. The upgrade today went without a hitch, and now that suspend works out of the box, this tool just gets better.

I swear, my professional writing is more interesting and coherent. I could go on about presidential abuses of authority, but I'd rather just point you toward Gene Healy's The Cult of the Presidency. Check it out at your local library... hey, I think that's the second tool!

- S