When I was planning my trip to Central America I debated on taking a netbook. It seemed logical to bring one. I work on the Internet and I will need to check in with clients, however, would I be able to find Wi-Fi in Central America and would it even be good enough to for work?

I talked to several friends who I knew had traveled through Costa Rica and Guatemala a few years ago, but the resounding answer seemed to be “don’t count on it.” One friend mentioned that he could only find an Internet cafe in Costa Rica that it had really slow computers, but then again that was six years ago.

I can now report back that a lot has changed in the few years since this information and that bringing my netbook was a good idea.

I’ve been through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Belize and for the most part the Internet has been available in all the hostels we’ve stayed at, and in many cafe’s and restaurants. In fact, it’s a major selling point for most places. Even in unlikely places, like in the jungle of Belize, I have found very good working Wi-Fi.

Now, not all of it is great. Some places it can be frustrating to use, with it’s frequent and random outages, but for the most part the availability of Wi-Fi in Central America is good.

Many backpackers I come across have netbooks and other Wi-Fi ready devices with them. Which makes the experience of backpacking very different then what it must have been in the past. Between Facebook and email, I now find myself exchanging tips on places to visit, hooking up friends who are going to visit the states with places to stay and things to see, and making plans to visit my new friends in their home countries. Truly those technologies have made the world a lot smaller!

Is it a good thing or bad thing to bring a netbook to Central America? Well, I think that is up to you. The Wi-Fi in Central America is good enough for it to be worth it, and socially… It can be a crutch if you’re feeling lonely or homesick. But without a computer screen in front of you then you are a more inviting person to talk to. It’s also nice to be able to offer it to someone if there is no other computer around. So for me I am happy lugging my 2lb netbook around. I can work abroad confidently, I can watch movies at night, and connect freely with my new friends.

This 2006 Ted Talk about design and technology is perhaps my favorite.

David Pogue, the corny-yet talented columnist, talks about his time as a technology tester for the New York Times.  He takes you through the history of computer design and user interface, and lands us with a conclusion that it is up to us as designers to make technology simpler for the end user. And even though he slams Microsoft and Windows design (I’m a pc and proud of it!), I think it’s a good lesson for entrepreneurs and designers, plus the whole thing is pretty entertaining.

As consumers:

If it doesn’t work, its not necessarily you.
It could be the design of the thing you are using.
be aware in life of good design and bad design.

And if you’re among the people who create this stuff:

Easy is hard.
Pre-sweat the details for your audience.
Count the taps.
Remember, the hard part is not deciding what features to add, its deciding what to leave out.
And best of all your motivation is, simplicity sells.