A few things to check before heading for YAPC::Europe with your geek toys

Travelling with a laptop can be a confusing experience for the novice when it comes to international power outlets and telephone jacks. Visitors to London for YAPC::Europe should find this brief document helpful in determining if the power supply on their laptop is capable of handling the voltage in the UK and what various adapters will be required.

1. - Determine if your laptop is UK voltage and amperage friendly.

Locate your laptop powerbrick and find the line that says "input". If your laptop is rated for international use you will see

INPUT: 100-240V 50-60Hz

Most European countries use 50Hz whereas the US uses 60Hz. Also, the voltage in the UK is 220-240Volts.

If your laptop is NOT rated, you will see something like

INPUT: 120VAC 60A

You may not use this device in the UK without a different powerbrick or a voltage transformer of some sort.

Even if you have a dual-voltage powerbrick for your laptop, many of your peripherals are likely not ready for world travel.

CHECK EACH AND EVERY TECH TOY DOO-DAD YOU PLAN TO BRING LEST YOU FRY IT OR NEED IT ONLY TO FIND YOU CANNOT USE IT!!!

If you have such unfit items and cannot find a dual-voltage brick for them you can get step-down transformers for them but I can attest to them being heavy, cumbersome and not terribly fun to travel with. Ditch the ancient hardware and get with the millenium. :)

Voltage Valet carries converters and transformers. Pay attention to whether or not it is'solid state' or not as you will want a transformer for anything electronic.

2. - What's up with that jack, Jack?

Power outlets and telephone jacks in the UK are different from those in the US and you will require a plug adapter to be able to plug your laptop into the wall. Most laptop and other appliances are 2 prong ungrounded plugs and will work with a variety of adapters availble from places such as your local RadioShack. If you don't have time to rip yourself away from the CRT long enough to peruse the shelves at RadioShack, I can recommend Voltage Valet or Teledapt for all your plug and phone jack needs.

• VV Catalog
• Country Guide
• Teledapt has very nice kits for the UK and other countries.

If you have an ISP with international POPs, it would be a good idea to note the dial-up numbers now and configure your software for the trip and also write it down on a notecard as a back-up. Your modem will not recognise the dial tone so be sure to set your software to dial without tone. Also, either buy a tester or ask the hotel if the telephone lines are analog or digital before blithely plugging your modem in and zorching it to a crisp.

3. - Checklist.

• Check power bricks on all electronics and appliances you wish to bring with you.
• Order voltage transformer and UK adapter kit as needed.
• Note dial-up numbers if you have them and configure your software.
• Before leaving, upload presentation to publicly available server if possible as a backup Plan B in case of mishap.
• Pack an extra charged battery.
• Be sure to pack a few passport size photos for Underground rail passes should you be expecting to stay in London longer than 3 days.
• set crontab to page you to remind you that you forgot all of the above en route to the airport.
• And please remember above all to Mind the Gap [ No, not the trendy clothing store...] :)