Steven K. Roberts
Description
Since 1983, Steve Roberts has been a technomad alternating between open-ended periods of networked wandering and increasingly ambitious machine-buil
...
ding layovers. Though it began simply as the Computing Across America high-tech solo bicycle adventure (expected to last only a year or so), the project gained momentum though the symbiosis of constant media attention and increasing collaboration with hundreds of sponsors and volunteers. Unexpectedly, the tools and techniques of nomadness became interesting to a vast population of individuals who yearn to combine physical freedom with solid connectivity. "Once you move to the Internet," Steve says, "your physical location becomes irrelevant."
This book begins with a substantial overview of the computerized recumbent bicycles, Winnebiko and BEHEMOTH, then describes system design and early adventures with the Microships amphibian pedal/solar/sail networked folding micro-trimarans that will carry Steve and his partner, Natasha, through the next level of aquatic technomadness. In so doing, it serves as the introduction to the whole family of Nomadic Research Labs publications that detail every aspect of this state-of-the art project, from engineering-level Microship internal details to spirited tales of prowling the worlds backwaters with a boatload of gizmology.
Beyond all that, this publication is intended as a standalone statement of what happens when passion, technology, freedom, romance, and adventure are blended into a single obsessive fantasy. It is our hope that we will continue to trigger mini-epidemics of wanderlust and foment outbreaks of restlessness and curiosity.
This, more than anything else in the our publication series, is a standalone response to the question, "so what is it you guys do, anyway?"
Read more