Makin' copies

What do we fear losing when traveling abroad (besides the wallet)? The correct answer should be: travel documents. Passport, visas, driver's license, airline tickets, hotel reservations, and what have you. What happens if you lose it all? Let's not even think about that. But let's prevent the problem.

Truth is, if you have copies of all documents, it will save you lots of time and effort to replace the lost or stolen documents. So here's what you need to do:

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1. scan or photograph your important papers,
2. store the files on your computer,
3. print out a copy and place it in the luggage,
4. email the files to yourself (but remember to turn off the 'delete from server' option in your email client),
5. download the files to a USB flash drive keychain (such as this SanDisk USB Flash Drive),
6. upload the files to Google Docs or Evernote, MobileMe, Dropbox, or any other similar service that allows you to access your documents from anywhere in the world.

If you ever need to retrieve the documents, go to the nearest Internet cafe, log into your web email account, get the docs and pat yourself on the back for being such a well-advised traveler.

Consider also making copies of the front and the back of your credit cards. Generally speaking, you should have an electronic copy of everything you don't want to lose on your trip. Better safe than sorry!

It's time

Hello, world! Let us introduce ourselves. Packwhiz is all about traveling. Here you will get a customized packing list for your trip, as well as some tips and tricks that can make your travels more pleasant. And in the interest of saving time and electricity, we'll try to be concise. If we can.

Speaking of time. Let's talk about the 24-hour time system today. With most countries of the world living by the 24-hour system, our advice to all travelers – be prepared! You don't want to miss a flight or be late for an appointment! If you use a.m./p.m. in your everyday life and have trouble with the so-called "military time," let's finally set it straight.

First of all, forget about those "hundred hours," that's just military jargon for "zero minutes." When the colon between hours and minutes is dropped in the military time, 14:00 becomes 1400, which is spoken as "fourteen hundred hours." It is long, ugly and confusing. Shame on you, military! But we digress.

Now, the system is very simple. You know that there are 24 hours in a day, so the time goes – 1, 2, 3,...

That's all there's to it. No a.m./p.m. suffixes needed – just continue the count after 12. Thus, 1:00 p.m. becomes 13:00, 2:00 p.m. becomes 14:00... (see the clock).

Packwhiz 24-hour Wall Clock. (This clock is available for purchase at our store.)

Until you memorize it, you will have to perform a simple calculation to convert between the systems. Just add 12 to the p.m. hours – and you have the time in the 24-hour system. Hint: try adding 10, and then 2, it is a bit quicker.

3 p.m. + 10 + 2 = 15
10 p.m. + 10 + 2 = 22

To convert back, subtract 12.

17 - 10 - 2 = 5 p.m.
23 - 10 - 2 = 11 p.m.

Before you know it, you will get by without these calculations.

What are the advantages of the 24-hour system? Here are just a few (from Wikipedia):

There is no ambiguity between noon or midnight, whereas confusion exists on this issue with the 12-hour system.

There is no ambiguity between midnight at the start and end of a date, whereas confusion exists on this issue with the 12-hour system.

The duration of time intervals is easier to see in the 24-hour notation. From 10:30 a.m. till 3:30 p.m. is 5 hours. From 10:30 till 15:30 indicates this more clearly.

The transition from 23:59 to 00:00, provides a clear reminder that a new date starts, which is less obvious in the equivalent 11:59 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. transition.

As digital clocks sometimes provide little indication (often only a dot with no visible label in the dark) of whether the displayed time is a.m. or p.m., there is a tendency to incorrectly set the alarm or the time (or both) on them. The 24-hour system does not have this issue.

It's 23:05, Packwhiz says good-night and talk to you soon!