Buying a Windows PC

I had planned to visit a lot of stores and spend some time on research, but after a couple of stops, I realized it simply wasn't necessary. Windows PCs can be purchased from Multimax, Panafoto, Price Smart, Rodelag, and dozens of small shops in Panama City. I suggest sticking with the larger stores, most of them have good warranty policies. Most major brands are available either in store or through special ordering. Prices start at $299.00 for a complete (keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers), recycled major brand at one of the smaller stores in Los Pueblos.

Panama is not the place to find the latest, greatest, umpty-ump GHz super-gaming machine, however. Because of the long delivery pipeline, and the rapidity of price drops once something more glitzy hits the market, most stores are reluctant to stock bleeding edge computers. Look for the latest technology available in Panama to be 6 months to a year old, and expect to pay about 25~35% more than US prices.

Most new PCs come with Spanish Windows and a Spanish keyboard, so expect to spend some time looking for an English computer. Price Smart sells Dell and HP and they usually have English OSes. Another solution is to buy a Gate computer. These are locally assembled and have a good reputation for reliability and service. Most stores will accept a special order and you can have your Gate assembled with English OS and keyboard. Gates are available from Panafoto, Rodelag, and other stores.

Wherever you buy your new Windows PC, DO NOT allow it to connect to the internet without a firewall installed and activated and with a good anti-virus installed. Recent tests have found that a new unpatched and unprotected Windows XP computer on broadband can be expected to contract a disease (virus, trojan, malware, etc) within minutes after going on line.

Traveler's Advisory

If you are traveling in the near future, please check the travel advisory for airline passengers I have posted on the website. It is taken from Delta's website and details what Homeland Security says you can and cannot take aboard an airplane. Be aware that what you actually encounter at the airport may not conform with what DHS says. Jocelyn, my daughter-in-law, is traveling with 19 month old Ana Sofia to Idaho on Tuesday and Delta Panama informed her on Monday morning that she cannot take any liquid or powder on board, baby or no baby.

War with Cable and Wireless - Again

Last week, Cable and Wireless installed new cable on the poles in my neighborhood. Now my telephone won't ring and my internet speed is down to dialup speeds from a normal 860 kbps. Nora called them and they took her cell phone number and promised to come by within the next few days. The next day, while I was in the bathroom, they came by and left a note on the fence saying they couldn't get in the house. Now here is where I have a huge quarrel with C&W. First, they made no effort to let us know when they would be coming, despite having Nora's cell phone number. Second, they do not keep a work order open after they miss making contact. I was a professional electronics tech for 25 years before becoming a service manager for my last 15 working years, so I know a little about hiding how far behind I am from the boss, and closing out work orders for any cockamamie reason is one way. Cable and Wireless's service department are past masters at making it look like they do more work than they do.

Now, of course, we have to call them again and wait in the front of the house until they decide to show up. In the meantime, the phone won't ring, my internet speed is crawling, and the bosses at C&W think everything is just dandy. That was written on Sunday, but today, Monday, the phone is ringing just fine. My internet is still at dialup speeds. I already know where this is going. The telephone guy is going to blame the internet people. I'll let yall know what happens next week. Blecccch and a giant razzberry to Cable and Wireless!

Service and Assistance for Retirees Who Want to Live in Panama