Some Techology updates
Posted by Lee on January 6, 2010
As I enter my fourth calendar year in Boquete Panama I have discovered I do well with less; less stuff and less stress. Still there are some things I find very valuable and a few things I have learned that I would like to pass along to others who might not have figured them out.
First and very exciting Amazon has finally released an International version of the Kindle, their electronic book. There are two different sizes and the magic is that now for the first time you can use it in Panama or virtually any other country to download books. No more need to trudge to Dolega and hope Hal has the title you want.
Next some Iphone lessons. I purchased an Iphone on Ebay and found it easy to unlock it for use in Panama. I could have bought one from Movistar and been locked into a contract for at least $50 a month. I prefer prepaid it costs far less. I did discover the iphone was eating minutes on Movil, burning dollars. I then learned from Cable and Wireless that if I change to a per second billing I could buy unlimited prepaid data access for $14.95 a month. So if you have an iphone, blackberry or other smart phone and want to make the jump it is easy.
When you have under $1 balance on your phone send a text to 555, the only content in the text is tu. That will change you from the per minute plan to the per second plan, a deal if most of your calls are short. No more triplica or cuadruplica. Then for data call *456# and you will receive a text response asking if you have a blackberry or other phone type. The another offering plans from one day at $.95 to a month for $14.95 for unlimited data access.
One final technology note. In the meeting I attended yesterday about crime there was much discussion of alarm systems. I tore out the wired alarm system I had in this house during remodeling. I replaced it with a simple wireless system that works far better, cost far less and requires no maintenance. It is easy to install, you can do it yourself in 30 minutes and if you purchase an external horn it will alert neighbors. My only problem with it is that if I forget to remove the cat who shares my house I return to a blasting alarm and very unhappy cat who will soon develop hearing loss. Below is a link to Amazon where you can purchase the basic system and once there add more sensors and the external siren.
Comments
6 Responses to “Some Techology updates”Leave a comment, and if you'd like your own picture to show up next to your comments, go get a gravatar!
I checked Amazon.com for info about the Kindle. It seems you will still have to trudge to Dolega to download a book. The coverage area shows David and Dolega in the coverage zone, but not Boquete. I wonder how fast the second fastest download speed is. Have you tried it?
Judy
The coverage map shows coverage in Boquete. Not having a Kindle I cannot confirm but all the cell networks in Panama have coverage in Boquete, some better than others.
I am sure “Hal” didn’t appreciate your smart remark?
Yeah, I thought that was a cheap shot too!
Shame on you, Lee.
Sorry I offended anyone with a dose of reality. It takes me a gallon of diesel and an hour to drive to Dolega and back for a book. Based upon my calculations downloading books even at Amazons prices is indeed not only a bargain but also very convenient.
I have confirmed with someone who lives here now and has a Kindle that it does function perfectly in Boquete and in sixty seconds she can have a new book to read.
* $3 (mas o menos) for a gallon of diesel.
* 1 hour of your precious time – scenic road trip, wind in your hair (?)
* A laugh or two with Hal.
* Leave a few bucks with an interesting old timer.
PRICELESS
So much for supporting your local businessperson, huh Editor??