no safe in hotel room?

A locked suitcase would seem to be an invitation to wonder what is in there that is so valuable it needs to be locked? If you are worried about it, your only good option is to carry it with you.

yea, thought about that too.

or, I could try to find a different hotel for that leg....

thanks. (wish I would have saved that thread where a couple of people said they do the locking their suitcase often. ah well....maybe they'll ring in again here)

Well I have never carried a net book around,, so can't help with that.. but I have stayed at a hotel without a safe and I used the safe behind the front desk. You could ask at the hotel if they would keep it for you behind desk.

Personally I think a locked suitcase says " pick my lock" or "take me away".

I've used this PacSafe portable safe to store my netbook:

http://pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=117

You can attach it to the bar in the closet or something else solid. It comes in three sizes. I actually use the smaller size for my 9 inch netbook, but it's a very tight fit. If you have a ten inch model you'll have to use the middle size.

wow, Steve. what a way to read alot into what a person writes. but, here are my reasons for being paranoid about my netbook. I am using it to document the trip of a lifetime, a two week trip to Spain for my 50th birthday. Plus, I have repetitive stress injuries in both my shoulders so would rather not carry too much around with me and thought I could use the safe in the room to store my netbook. I notice you didn't mention whether or not you left your netbook in your room. I will assume that you did since the last thing you wrote was "I still have it."

thanks to everyone else for your replies, I appreciate it.

Michael, kinda like the idea of that portable safe! so thanks very much for the link. I'm really just hoping my shoulders will be all healed up by the time we go. guess we'll see!

Not being paranoid, but if the information you are typing in the net book is really important, then I would take a couple of thumb drives and download every night all my info. to two of them. That way, if anything happens to the net book, all is not lost. You could also email yourself the information, if wifi is available. Never hurts to back up important data, in more than one place.

No safe. I would have it stored in the safe at the desk and MAYBE have a note to the effect that you are leaving a net book, serial no.****** with hotel employee *******, and have him/her sign it. However, you might encounter a tad bit of resistance to this. It would be your call.

Some hotel front desks will have a safe just for these sort of situation, others won't. Some front desks will refuse to hold property, so it is pretty individual according to hotel policy.

For all of you concerned about losing files, etc. there is a new program you can download, that syncs with each of your items, like multiple computers, laptops, mobile phones, etc. So, in this situation, if Toby downloaded some photos to his netbook and then it got stolen, all those photos would already be on his PC at home. It is called Dropbox. I just installed it yesterday, but it seems to be ideal for the traveler. No more forwarding photos or files, it is now automatic. Check it out and see what you think.
www.dropbox.com

I carry my netbook with me everywhere. Without the charger it's lighter than most women's purses. I have everything in it, maps, train schedules. I often take it out at lunch and check my afternoon's itinerary, write in my journal, update my expense sheet, or download and organize my pictures. Last trip I had an airstick, so I could even check up on you guys.

The trip before last, ironically, was the first time I had a room safe. I decided to lock everything (netbook, money belt, wallet) in it that night. The next morning it wouldn't open. I don't think I punched in the wrong code, because I used one I have been using at the ATM for years. The manager's code wouldn't work, either, and he had to get the special tool to take off the front.

yes John, I thought of that after I posted my reply earlier this morning. and perhaps had it not been for Steve's reply to me I may not have thought of that! so, it wasn't all for naught :D

I already have a Sandisk that I've been copying pics to so I will do that and consider emailing my documents to myself. and you hit the nail right on the head, I am worried about losing my travel notes, my reactions to everything, what we're seeing and doing so it is invaluable to me.

thanks again everyone, you've been most helpful and I truly appreciate it!!

(btw, I am female...but, no worries, lots of people think I am male based on my name...)

If what you're really worried about is losing the "information" on the netbook, and not the netbook--there are alternatives.

A digital voice recorder.

A PDA with folding keyboard.

Ipod Touch--mp3 player, wifi, you can have both written and voice notes, applications to make travel easier. (My personal choice.)

Journal--sit down each day at a cafe, enjoy a beverage and write down your thoughts and experiences.

An experienced thief can get into a locked suitcase in seconds. Never leave anything of value in it. Even a room safe is questionable. The best place, if not on you, is the hotel safe--if they'll take it.

I've traveled a lot ... both for business and pleasure and have never had something stolen from a hotel room or from a youth hostel. When I travel, I'm far more concerned about losing something than I am about having it stolen.

I'm not naive, I know that theft happens. I just don't get overly worried about it. I also never leave anything in the room that I absolutely cannot afford to lose. For you, it sounds like your main concern is the data so figure out a backup strategy.

When there is a safe, I will use it. When there isn't, I try to keep the more valuable items out-of-sight. For example, I have often left my camera in the hotel room. I might leave it in a drawer under some clothes. If someone is really intent on searching the room and stealing, they will find it. However, I am more concerned about someone coming into the room when the maid has left the door open and grabbing something in plain sight.

You could also consider getting a cable to lock your netbook to something stationary. Again, this only deters the grab and run type of theft, but that might be enough.

Keep in mind, if there is a fire, will you take the time to take your valuables with you. I always take my valuables out when I am in the room.

Toby, I drag my small laptop around everywhere in Europe, and never worry about it, or wether or not a hotel has a safe. I learned a long time ago to back up my unit ( I learned the hard way!), and found that Emailing my data is extra insurance. I keep a small log book with me to record my thoughts during the day, and transcribe them when I have the time.

I also buy a trip insurance package, and found that my credit card will cover some losses.

It is not worth the bother to lug around a netbook each day or worry about its security. But it is wise to back up your data and make sure that your valuables are insured.

BTW it is easy to break into any suitcase/ travel lock in less than 60 seconds...all these locks do is temporarily slow down a thief.