flash77

@raro: I'm already on the list; can you please add a +1 for me also?

I run Ubuntu on various computers (netbook, laptop, home PC, several office PCs, servers, plus a lab of 40 PCs) and I haven't experienced problems that are common across those computers. Except for the laptops, none are brand-name PCs (e.g. Acer, HP): they all are built from reasonably standard components (e.g. Intel CPUs, Asus/Gigabute MB, cheap RAM). It sounds like you don't require any special hardware, and that Ubuntu and most common distros will work fine.

One problem I experience too often on my home PC is a graphics card hang. Usually when kids are playing Flash or other simple games. I have a i3-540 and using the on-board Intel graphics. Although the hardware should be more than capable for what I want, I've got a feeling xorg/Compiz or similar is the problem. I'm starting to think I should've just got a cheap GPU. At office, I also use onboard graphics as well (i5-3570k) and no problems yet (but obviously no games).

On a lab of 40 PCs I had some problems with LAN cards but turned out to be a driver problem that could be overcome (using 3 LAN cards, and Ubuntu selected the wrong driver for 2 of them).

Other than that I can't think of any incompatible hardware in the past few years (oh, wireless LAN cards, but I assume you won't have one on your desktop). I haven't tried Mint/Zorin, nor other distros for awhile, but I'd think hardware support should be about the same (especially Debian-based systems).

Sounds like you are looking for a brand name, which is fine. But if you've got the time, why not select your own parts and even assemble it yourself? I've done this recently, and found it to be a great learning experience.

BTW I have regular (and in most cases automatic security) updates on all my machines. Again, not a problem.

Like others, I also recommend a SSD as a great upgrade option for old laptops (and PCs).

About 12 months ago I put a 60GB SSD in a 5yr old PC in my office. The PC went from "needs to be replaced asap" to "dam_n, I can't find an excuse for a new PC". Admittedly I also upgraded from 1 to 2GB of RAM at the same time. I only stopped using it recently due to a power supply failure.

About the same time I replaced the 160GB hard disk in my 3yr old netbook with a 60GB SSD. Again, the performance increase was well worth it. I also bought a 150 Baht 2.5inch USB hard disk enclosure. Put the old hard disk in it, and carry it around with my 100GB of music when I need to.

For me, changing from hard disk to SSD has given the most noticeable performance increase of a component upgrade that I can remember over the past decade.

Count me + 1 in

I am still interested. Got my raspberry pi this week, so look forward to getting some ideas/help from you all at the next meeting.

I haven't used dd-wrt and the different ways of using your router does seem confusing. I just read http://www.dd-wrt.co...ex.php/Bridging and a few other pages and here is my understanding. Your network looks like:

Internet --- HotelWirelessRouter --- YourRouter --- YourLaptop

With your router in "Client Bridge" mode, it forms a wireless link to the hotel wireless router. And then your laptop connects via a WIRED link to your router. As far as I can understand, you cannot connect your laptop wirelessly to your router.

With your router in "Repeater" mode, it forms a wireless link to the hotel wireless router. Your laptop can connect wirelessly (or wired) to your router, which then forwards the data to the hotel router. (Your laptop can also connect wirelessly direct to the hotel router if close enough). This is intended for extending the range. The disadvantage of this approach is it about halves the wireless performance.

With your router in "Client" Mode, its similar to Client Bridge but your router is a true router, creating another subnet. The potential problem with this is that your router must handle DHCP (assigning IP addresses) and port forwarding, whereas in Client Bridge its only the hotel router that handles this.

I think "Wireless Bridge" mode is the old name for "Client Bridge".

So in your case if you want a wireless link from laptop/tablet to your router, use "Repeater" mode. If you are ok with a wired link from laptop to your router use "Client Bridge" mode.

Again, I've never used dd-wrt, so maybe someone who's done this can advise further.

Agree that Future Park Rangsit is a good option. Wander around, eat, get a massage (near the upstairs food court near Big C), catch a movie - although you may want to walk to the Major cinemas as opposed to the cinema in Future, as I find it has better selection with English soundtrack. Major also has bowling. If you're into electronics and computer stuff, a walk around Zeer Rangsit - about mid way between Don Muang and Future - can also waste some time. There's a good (real) massage place in Zeer at the bottom of the escalator near Tops.

That's an good option to know about the Novotel gym. Anyone know the price for using the gym/showers? My parents used a shower room at Louis Tavern couple of months ago. 700 Baht in total, which is not bad, but as you note you'd need to use it before passing immigration.

Agree with others that the 'Hell Wat' is ok for a 1 day trip. And definitely Kanchanaburi for a few nights - I'm heading there for the 6th or 7th time for couple of nights this long weekend.

In Ratchaburi of course there is the morning Damnoen Suduak floating market, as well as weekend evening Amphawa floating market. Plenty of homestays around the area. Its a bit further away but I've stayed at Ban Sukchoke Resort - cheap, average quality but relaxing for a night (as opposed to driving home at night). Its next door to a cobra farm if thats your thing.

Also try Nakhon Nayok. About 1 hour drive from Rangsit. There is a dam to look at, Sarika waterfall and Wang Takhrai park where always lots of people playing in the water (except in the dry season). I've done it in a day trip, as well as staying overnight. A bit further on is Wang Nam Khiao, south of Khao Yai. Has some campgrounds and waterfalls with no water when I visited few years ago. I've heard there are some waterfalls near Saraburi that are ok but I've never been there.

There is Pasak Jolasid Dam in Lopburi (many people camp there) and of course the monkeys in Lopburi town.

If you have a bit more time, then the beaches south of Hua Hin are ok. I really like Ban Krut because of its long, calm and most times deserted beaches. Its about 4 hours from Bangkok. I've stayed at Salathai (cheap, spacious rooms, close to most restaurants) and Bayview Resort (pool, isolated, great rooms), and would happily stay at either again.

Sorry no GPS coordinates, but you'll find all these places via Google and Maps.

And there are also several car parks to the right (as driving towards the border). I parked at one there for 5 days about 2 years ago. I think it was called Getaway and cost 100 Baht per day. There was shade cloth coverage and plenty of empty spaces when I arrived in the morning. A couple of parking attendants. How secure is it? Impossible to know, but I'd read on TV and other places that it was considered "safe". Assuming the attendants/guards are there 24 hours I would guess just as secure as parking your car on the street overnight in Bangkok.

For info, I did the same as your planning, drive then taxi, and it turned out relatively easy. Just read up some of the posts on TV and Tales of Asia about getting across the border.

I was looking for a microwave and optionally an oven about 6 months ago. Was going for the Samsung microwave-convection oven, but eventually decided on a standard microwave oven and a separate electric round convection oven. One of those that is a big glass bowl with the heating element and fan on the lid. It works quite well for what I want. Have cooked pizza, meat pies, lasagne, fish and chicken breasts in there no problem. Cooked a whole chicken, which was ok, but lot of time/cleaning for a chicken that tasted no better than what can buy on street. One problem with it is that food is quite close to the element/fan, so cooking for a long time (1hr+) is difficult.

Can't remember the exact price - around 1500Baht? Buying it and a normal microwave was cheaper than the microwave-convection oven (5000-6000 Baht). The brand is HouseWorth. Bought in Makro. There were others similar price and cheaper. This one had a removable power cord which is convenient.

Heated up some moo ping and chicken tonight no problems. So worth considering such an oven if you are going to do some casual cooking as well as reheating.

Regarding Drupal, many of the popular themes are claiming the feature of "responsive web design". For example with Zen on Drupal 7 the number of columns presented is automatically chosen based on the device (e.g. 1 column for mobile, 3 columns for desktop). So if the OP is using (or can upgrade to) Drupal 7 and the current template is not too complex, it should be possible to have a single site that displays ok on most devices. Their should be no need for a special mobile version or domain for your site. Of course as the posters above said, it depends on your content.

With most motherboards, filling up all the memory slots with the same type and size of memory allows the memory controller to access the ram faster. Fill it up now, don't waste time messing with it later.

Thats a good point about same type and size of memory. Then H90's question is, if looking for 8GB, should it be 2x4GB or 4x2GB? Assuming same speed and brand of RAM, are there any significant performance improvements of either config?

I'm looking at a new office computer in the coming weeks as well, similar specs, ie. i5-3570k and Z77 motherboard. But am considering Gigabyte GA-Z77M-D3H as opposed to Asus. As for RAM, from my readings I got the same feel as I think you did: 1600MHz is the sweet spot in terms of speed and price. I suggest you go straight to 8GB RAM now, getting a a pair of 4GB sticks. Then you have the opportunity to upgrade with another pair of sticks in a couple of years time if needed. The motherboard only supports 4 DIMMS.

As for brand and model, I don't know. You could check the supported vendor list for your motherboard, but they always seem to be quite short. I suspect I'll go for something like Kingston KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX 9-9-9 or similar priced from Geil, GSkill or Corsair (1900 Baht).

[Off-topic: do you have a power supply in mind? I know wattage shouldn't be an issue, but running 24/7 in the office, something reliable and quiet is desirable. I'm currently thinking Corsair CX430 or Enermax 450W if they are available.]

sorry i can't make it this week, but hope a few people do so the meeting keeps going.

Agree with Lenovo and the Thinkpad series (see also http://www.thinkwiki.org). And I suspect most of the cheaper Lenovo's, e.g. Ideapads, should be ok as well. I have an Ideapad V470 running Ubuntu 11.10 fine (although this model was not so cheap). Only thing that doesn't work (and I've never attempted to get working) is the fingerprint scanner. It uses Intel Wireless-N 1000 which works fine. Although when initially installing 11.04 there was a bug with loading the wrong wireless driver by default (my own notes on the fix: http://sandilands.info/sgordon/wireless-lan-lenovo-ideapad-v470-ubuntu-not-working).

Also have a Samsung NC-10 netbook that is almost 3 years old and running Ubuntu 11.10 fine.

Have you bought the laptop yet? If so you could bring it to the next Thai Linux meeting () - thats if its still on ...

A friend and I will be there about 7:30 tonight

Wednesday or Thursday this week are ok for me.

I've also experienced these same problems with Wikipedia at work. At home on TOT Wikipedia works fine. I thought it may be something our IT people did, but perhaps its our ISP (don't know who the ISP is). So no, its not just you.

There are many companies that provide such service, but not so easy to find them on the web. I looked at a few companies websites (can't remember them now) last year, but eventually chose the guys at http://manvan.in.th/ (the reason I chose them was I wanted to look at the van before hiring. They said they would drop by my place in a few hours, which they did and the van was fine. Turned out they drove the 4 hour round trip from Korat just to see me. Desperate, but got my business).

Price was 1800 per day (plus you pay fuel). Unfortunately you may need to speak Thai to contact them. The driver was a nice guy, never drove faster than 110km/hr, knew good places to go eat, and was happy to pick us up after hours (basically 8am to 8pm). Maybe others will have links to other such companies.

I've been to Angkor Wat twice. The first 6 or 7 years ago with a mate. We arrived via bus from Phnom Penh and flew out to Bangkok. We had 3 full days, spending two of those visiting the many wats and the middle day a rest day around Siem Reap. We hired a tuk-tuk for the 2 days and the driver acted as our guide (but note that the driver cannot enter the Wats with you - only talk to you as you drive between Wats). Enjoyed it.

Went back 2 years ago with a group of 4, including my parents. Again 3 full days (in the rest day we went to the silk farm which was ok too). I drove my car to the Poipet border, crossed over and then we got a taxi for $US40 to Siem Reap. Look at the http://www.talesofasia.com site for excellent info on how to cross the border, avoid the scams and get to Siem Reap.

On the 2nd trip we hired a van with driver from our hotel, plus a guide. $US40 per day. The guide was excellent, and after experiencing both with and without a guide, I highly recommend getting a guide. He explained many details that we didn't get from reading Lonely Planet the first trip. If you want to know the history, understand the meaning and significance of markings on the walls, the get a guide. If you just want to enjoy the marvellous buildings for a day, then maybe you don't need one. Also, although the tuk-tuk was fun, having a van with my folks was a definite plus. The airconditioning gave us some relief.

A three day pass for entrance was I think $US40 per person.

I enjoyed Siem Reap (the town) perhaps because living in Thailand for 5 years it was nice to get some cheap Western food and drink. You should be able to find accommodation within a 20 minute walk to the old town (with restaurants, pubs, market). Otherwise pay the $US1-2 tuk tuk trip.

A room at Prince D'Angkor hotel was $AU75 per night. From memory on my first trip we stayed in a hotel out of town bit more for $US20 per night. It shouldn't be too hard to find something that suits your budget.

Microsoft Natural Ergonomic keyboard has no Thai letters (at least the ones I've seen). I've seen it in IT City, JIB and some smaller shops around Bangkok (including Zeer). If you've got IT City in Udon Thani they may be able to get it. No backlight, not logitech but the best keyboard I've used in years. Don't be put off by it being a split ergonomic keyboard - you get used to it. You may be put off by the physical size and price (1800 Baht).

I plan to be there.

Drove from Bangkok to Chumphae, Khon Kaen yesterday. I checked the Highways Department (http://maintenance.doh.go.th/) Sunday evening which has updates on the road conditions and suggested bypasses. Someone suggested there were large traffic jams on Highways 1 and 9 near the intersection that heads to Ayuthaya. So we decided on taking the Chachaengsao bypass. Headed east on the Chonburi motorway to Chachaengsao then took 304 up towards Pak Chong Chai and Korat. Very little traffic most of the way and nice driving on at least 2 lane roads. However we decided to follow our map (rather than road signs) and found a 'short cut' that added a good 2 hours on onto our trip. I guess taking the bypass to Chachaengsao (rather than via Singburi) would add 1 to 2 hours compared to the normal route (before flooding). If the traffic north of Rangsit is not too bad then it may be just as easy taking the normal route.

I just got back from Kanchanaburi Immigration, where they were happy to do my 90-day report (and accept 2000B fine from me for being late) as well as give me a re-entry permit. My home province is Pathumthani (which is of course closed, with services moved to Chaeng Watthana and Suan Plu). If you are looking for other services (e.g. visa extension) may be better to call them first. No queue and the staff were much nicer than in the 4 other Immigration offices I've been to. I also suggest you go to Kan. Even though it may be a 2hr drive away, I think it could be faster than going into Bangkok.