Cool Internet Sites

You'll need a broadband connection, but here are links to some sites you may find enjoyable.

National Public Radio - http://wwww.npr.org

A Prairie Home Companion - http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/

Old Time Radio Shows - http://www.radiolovers.com/

Computer Stuff

Nora and I have been using Skype for international phone calls for a long time, and have been very pleased with it. I know there are cheaper services, but Skype does the job for a fair price and it works with Windows and Linux. Get Skype here - http://www.skype.com/intl/en/download/

We've been using Clarcom prepaid cards for almost as long as Skype, and a couple of weeks ago, we signed up for a Clarolite account. Clarolite is similar to Skype, but it allows you to make low-cost local calls from the computer as well as international calls. Both systems allow free computer to computer calls. Clarolite's only drawback is that it works only with Windows, which I consider a major weakness, since you must expose your computer to lots and lots of internet nastiness. Clarolite can be downloaded here -  http://www.clarocom.com/clarolite/

The biggest drawback we have both found to using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is being tied to the computer by a headset with the attendant mess of tangled wires, etc. So, I started to look into using a bluetooth headset with the computer, and got pretty discouraged at the difficulty of finding clear, simple instructions about making it work. When I asked at shops that sold the devices, they told me they only worked with cell phones. Finally, after a lot of Googling, I found a site that explained in simple terms how to connect the little earpieces to a computer. http://www.bluetoothpcheadsets.com/  I also discovered, after buying the necessary pieces, that the Wizard in Win XP explains this as well, but I have an aversion to buying expensive hardware without knowing for sure that it will do what I want it to do.

I bought a Linksys USBBT100 Bluetooth Adaptor ($69.60 at Office Depot). You can get an adaptor for as little as $30.00 locally, but I wanted a known brand. Nora selected a tiny, postage stamp sized Nokia earpiece. ($45.00 ~ $50.00 at most any Chino cell phone store). I suggest a larger one with a short boom mike. The mike audio is a bit low on this one because the mike is only about an inch from the earpiece. We found small Motorola devices for $30.00 in Los Pueblos, so this setup can cost as little as $60.00 if you're on a budget. By the way, you can also find Bluetooth cell phones in Los Pueblos for ~$100.00.

Good Guys

Last week I went to Office Depot to buy a Bluetooth dongle to set up a wireless interface for Skype and Clarolite so Nora woldn't have to wear a corded headset to make phone calls. I asked for some assistance in picking the proper device and a couple of salesmen helped me. When I got home and opened the box, I noticed a flap on the device and opened it only to discover (reading the box label was also a strong clue) that I had bought a 10/100 USB/ethernet interface instead. I, as a certified old-timer with one working eye, could be excused, at least in my mind, for not having read the box, but the two salesmen were obviously culpable.

So, anticipating a lot of arguing and likely rejection, I took the device back to Office Depot the following morning. I explained what happened to the nice young lady at the returns desk and she agreed to accept it back with no argument at all, even though the box had been opened.

Office Depot is located next door to Price Smart on Tumba Muerto in Panama City. They have a good selection and reasonable prices. Three thumbs.up.

Warning

I have many times, via different means, recommended AVG antivirus for people who use Windows. It's free and effective and doesn't mess up your computer like Norton does. I just stumbled onto a new scam. A Google search on 'free avg' returns a link to this site - http://avg.grab-it-today.net/ as the first find. It offers a free download, but you must first buy a membership. According to the website you get free DVD quality movie downloads, and other free downloads. If you simply accept the defualts, it will cost you ~$96.00. Stay away from these guys. If you Google for AVG, leave off the 'free' part.

Windowshield Washers

Be cautious at intersections. The guys with the soda bottles and squeegees are getting very aggressive. Do not react angrily to them. Ignore them except to tell them no. Do not tip them. If they don't get tips, they will stop harrassing people at stoplights.

Service and Assistance for People Who Want to Live in Panama