DaveBKK

Duckduckgo is good and usually my first choice. It uses Yandex, a Russian search engine, so if you get deeper into results it'll give you a bunch of Russian pages.

Startpage.com is very good. It uses Google results but strips out all the personal tracking crap Google uses.

The current regime will move soon to require registration to legally use a VPN. First they are trying to force sim registration...this already passed. Next bill is required registration to use any public wifi. Following, probably within next few months, we will see a bill to require VPN registration.

Did people really expect that regular cell phone calls couldn't be listened in on? I'm pretty surprised this news is a surprise.

This is why if you really want privacy it's best to use an end-to-end encrypted app such as Facetime/iMessage on iOS from Apple. Or Redphone/TextSecure on Android (Signal is the complimentary app on iOS), or another alternative is Surespot on iOS and Android.

This is a Chinese hack.

Actually Superfish is a Silicon Valley company with what seems quite a bit of Israeli VC money and management.

Martial Law won't be around forever. They want something in place for the eventual return for (ab)normalcy.

Don't worry about the NSA...worry about your real threats and adversaries. Encryption isn't just about protection from the NSA. Believe me, if your adversary is the NSA, you're going to lose. Encryption is important vs. foreign govts that might not have the resources of the NSA (ie. Thailand), businesses that supply your communications (True, Loxinfo, whoever), and of course criminals.

- You encrypt so that if you don't lose your laptop, or it gets stolen, or you bring it into the shop for a repair, some clown doesn't get all your digital files.

- You encrypt so that Joe Schmo working for XYZ Internet Company doesn't poke onto your connection, or jump on your laptop from the XYZ supplied router and fish for some business documents because you happen to be in competition with his brother, or his wife's father, etc.

- You encrypt so that some govt. official who doesn't like your face decides they're going to start poking through your stuff looking for an excuse to jam you up.

We're all human...and all humans with human jealousies, insecurities, grey motivations are govt. officials, internet company people, etc.

Don't forget that cable cut they had on the main SE Asian fiber cable near Vietnam....whatever route you're being sent on via your proxy might be slowed down due to that cable cut.

(Even if not on that route, there will be more congestion as things get re-routed all over SE Asia).

The trend is definitely going mobile, and desktops (workhorse) PCs are on the way out. Curved screens are gimics. If you need to do something more processor intensive, the trend will be to fire up an instance in a cloud server, and use your tablet, whatever to provide "instructions" to the cloud instance to process whatever.

Mobile processors = less energy required, less heat, cheaper.

There are still some interface quirks to work out re: touch / voice / keyboard mouse with mobile devices, but I'm thinking within a couple years, most people will be able to just plug in their mobile phones (or "cast/airplay") to a big screen and be able to accomplish 90% of tasks they will need done.

The phone number registration is inconsequential. The idea of using that as a required single sign-on for accessing the internet (the plan is, if you want to use the internet at home, at a public wifi, wherever, you sign-on via your phone number).

If the phone registration doesn't work, there's an alternate idea of requiring/issuing smart cards for getting on the net.

Interesting:

http://tech.thaivisa.com/mandatory-sim-registration-prepaid-phones-thailand/

I take this quote from the referenced Nation article:

"SIM registration is the first step to FORCE all to have individual numbers, then the next step is the 'Single Sign On' policy," Takorn said.

So basically.... a single required ID to access any internet in Thailand. Hmmmm.....don't have a VPN yet? Better get one

I've had the same problem in OS X. None of the existing anti-virus and adware removal tools worked. I finally found SelfControl, free software designed to help Facebook addicts stop their addictions for periods up to 24 hours. It's necessary to add all the URLs you're being switched to and then they're blocked - well, I can't stop the popups, but now they have no content.

The problem isn't OSX. It's not on your computer. Your router was hacked. The pop up ads are the least of your problems. The bad guys can now set up a perfect "man in the middle" attack and potentially grab any password you enter anywhere.

This is happening quite a bit throughout Thailand. TP-Link routers are getting "hacked". People are leaving default passwords on routers and some clown is going in and changing dns entries on the router.

Well it all depends on your threat model. If say you're a world renowned AQ terrorist and the NSA is after you...yeah...probably not wise to bet your life on them not cracking it. HOWEVER....if you're an expat in the land of smiles and some local authorities are looking to jam you up and poke into your stuff.... you're safe.

It's very easy to get logging programs that keylog, capture the clipboard and screen. Example: http://activity-keylogger.en.softonic.com/

Simply put, don't *ever* trust any public computer to go to any important or password protected site. None of the little tricks listed previously will defeat the linked program.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

From a Reuters reporter today:

Juarawee K. (Lina) (@Juarawee)

5/21/14, 6:48 AM

NBTC: Prayuth set to meet w/ Internet Service Provider 1.30PM today to ask for cooperation in controlling approp. contents in social media.

Obviously the only way they can "control" social media is to block it. Let's see if there it collateral damage and what else might get blocked.

Just a warning: Hope for the best....but prepare for the worst.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

Pages is that superior that you cannot be open the file in the windows and windows being the OS that's on 95% if not more of all the computers in the world, on top if that you cannot even email a pages docent but unless ur on a Mac them it's seen as a folder with multiple files so please tell me how that is superior to others?

Strange argument. Pages isn't superior because M$ Word can't open a .pages file. But Pages CAN open a M$ Word file. But Pages is the one lacking.

Never been any problem for me or anyone I work with. Pages works great for me. I prefer it very much to Word.

Export to PDF > solved

Export to Doc > solved

Export to Zip > solved

Upload to iCloud and Share > solved.

Heck...can even export to Epub for aspiring eBook authors! Can Word export to Epub? (I don't know)

If basically the root core of your argument that Pages isn't M$ Word....yup, you're right. It isn't. Use M$ Word then. Simple. Those of us who prefer Pages will not be affected in the slightest by your decision.

Again: Apple won't let me buy any apps, thanks for all the reply. My US CC address is in Thailand. I do have a Thai bank with a debit card that doesn't work either, but I will check with bank about what it takes to make online purchase with debit card. Also I have called & sent emails to Apple, to many times & always get the same answer, CC will not work with US address at Thai itunes store. I will try all of the new ideas. Thanks again.

Switch to the US App Store with US credit card. Use the Thai App Store with Thai card. Apple doesn't care at all about your IP. I use both app stores from here (2 different accts).

You can do it through your iTunes acct preferences/settings.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

I'm still with FF 19. Made it look like FF 3, 5 with taps below, not on top. It is a slow cold starter and it uses too much RAM with more than 10 taps open , but it is stable , more than fast enough , speed is more a factor of internet speed (thailand !!) and the server of the requested site than how fast FF can load on my screen.

No security problems . No intentions to update to a newer version , certainly after what I just read about this new one.

Why is everybody so obsessed with updates or newer versions?

New is rarely better.

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I am about to order a new Imac from the Thai Apple Online Store (Singapore) but am confused about their warranty service in Thailand. I'm debating whether the 3 year coverage is worthwhile. I live in Phrae province. The Apple terms are a bit vague as to what I could expect if warranty service is needed. They say at their option, they might offer onsite service, bring in service, or ship to service. Of course, I would prefer onsite service, but wonder if that is really possible where I live. As far as bring in service, the closest authorized service is in Lampang, about 1.5 hours away. There is a Maczone store in our local mall, but I don't know what they're capable of.

So I'd like to hear from other's experience. If onsite service is likely, I'd be willing to buy the extended warranty, If Maczone can service it, that would be OK, but if I have to schlep it to Lampang, or ship it to God knows where, I don't think I'm getting much for the extra cost. Oddly, Maczone is not listed as authorized service on the Apple website.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Sorry the thread got hijacked from some <deleted>

I think best thing would be to just call Apple Support and ask direct about the support options in your area:

http://store.apple.com/th/help/contact

I've had onsite support, but am in Bangkok.

I did my full renewal at Lat Prao. Let the misses handle everything... I just grabbed a chair, waited about an 90 minutes and was summoned to show my face for a minute at the counter window. Another 20-30 minute wait and we were sorted. All fairly painless other than negotiating the masses and finding a seat on a Monday morning at Lat Prao. All in all took about 2 hours I guess? It now line/crowds, probably would have taken about an hour.

Actually the bigger PITA was getting the bank letter. Usually I'd get that at CW branch (since they're pretty used to it). My home branch initially wanted like 7 days to process it...after a little fuss we got the branch manager to do it that day. That whole process took about an hour or so. If the branch gives you some "it takes XX days", just politely and calmly get the bank manager and plead your case.

Seems the True link to Singapore is having troubles. When I VPN to Singapore, it's as slow as no VPN. When I switch up and VPN to HK, everything runs smooth and fast.

I'm trying to help out here and you chose to throw personal insults. Think about how that reflects on your education and upbringing.

I said open the menu on the iPhone. There are 6 ways to share photos built right into the iPhone itself, no iTunes no Apple and/or addtl software needed. Several web accessible.

In ADDITION I listed some alternatives. Many. Many.

No iCloud doesn't reduce resolution when photos are downloaded from web or to PC/Mac. Look it up apple support site photostream FAQ.

Everything I've said and suggested is 100% accurate. Stop trying to refute me. It's foolish and it's a trolly thing to do.

I won't respond further if all you're trying to do is argue or troll. If you are respectful and need genuine help or advice, I'll respond.