Old Curmudgeon

Follow up report: I'm paying 200/hour. Plus an extra 50 baht/day for petrol for the motocycle -- she comes 20+ KM. Maid is from a service, a cleaning service. There are many such services in Chiang Mai. She is superb. Cleans in every nook and cranny. Makes suggestions about what needs cleaning that I overlooked. Sees something that could do with a bit of organizing, goes ahead and does it. Paying more than I expected when I started this topic, but certainly worth it.

I agree with @CallumWK about this problem, but for a different reason. Because default goes to below last post -- ready for a new post -- most readers will glance at the last post, and then post some reply. This is very bad user interface, because if the last post was off topic -- and most are -- then the new post will also be off topic ... and away we go into a maze of off topic posts. I didn't realize this until @CallumWK brought it up. But it explains why most threads quickly deteriorate into a total hash of off-topic comments. However, if forum goal is to maximize quantity of posts -- regardless of relevance to the topic -- then the current default certainly does that.

Thanks for your post, @Freddy42OZ, but, no, not trying to resolve problems. Not here looking for conventional tech support. In your defense, all other posters on this thread (so far) have gone off on that same (wrong) tangent. Please take a moment to re-read the opening post. Goal is to *FIND* someone to review my computer configuration, all of it, and recommend improvements. Review to include backup configuration, VPN, Ethernet router, software "settings", and on and on. I've done exactly this every 3-4 years, with various consultants, both formal and informal. "Informal" means other Mac users with vast experience. Always find some worthwhile improvements. In the past, I've found this sort of consultation both back in the USA, and here in Thailand. But now, I don't know anyone in Thailand with deep expertise on Mac. This thread is asking how to *FIND* someone, not how to solve specific problems. Thank you for your time to write and post on my thread.

Thanks, @josephbloggs for taking your time to write and post. Before you posted, I wish you'd considered that this thread is NOT about Dr. MacBook. In fact, my OP specifically stated I do NOT want a computer shop for this consulting project. The two times I went in to their shop in the Fico Building at Asoke Intersection, they were helpful. But the help they provide is NOT what I'm looking for here. Thanks, anyway, for defending the nice people at Dr. MacBook from accusations that I did not make. My only goal with this thread is to find a Mac consultant. That clear and simple goal seems to upset some people into posting off on wild tangents. I have no idea why.

I appreciate your detailed post @pattayasan, but clearly you didn't read the opening post on this thread. This thread is NOT about updating an operating system. (That may be required, but that is not the topic here.) Thanks, anyway, for your good intentions.

TUTOR ?? ?? NOT AT ALL. As the OP explained, looking for a farang who can do a "checkup". If you know WHERE to post an ad or HOW TO FIND a consultant, please say so here. Not try to second guess what I'm looking for. Thanks.

I appreciate your suggestions, @gamb00ler, but ... this thread is NOT about how to fix my Mac, or update the operating system, etc. (That may be required, but it is not the topic of this thread.) Here I am asking WHERE to find a consultant to review my entire computer configuration. A consultant with a farang approach to "preventive maintenance". Thai technicians -- no matter how skilled at technical details -- simply don't think in that way. If you have any suggestions about WHERE to find such a consultant, please post again. Thank you.

Well, could, but won't. I've been in to Dr. Macbook twice in recent years (at Asoke intersection on Sukhumvit Road.) He's a nice guy, but fits into the category I mentioned in the opening post: "local computer shop." His technicians are all Thais. Friendly people, polite, and all that, but it is an entirely different thought process than what I'm looking for. Plus the owner always seems rushed in his work: not what I want for my computer. Still looking. And this won't be easy, I know.

Thanks, but MacCafe does "standard" things in the "standard" way. I'm also looking for advice on backup system, VPN, Waterfox extensions, and more and more. Still looking.

My Mac computer needs a thorough checkup by someone who understands OSX and who speaks English. Think of it as an "annual physical checkup", but for computer. Question here is NOT how to fix a specific problem, rather how/where to find someone in Chiang Mai vicinity who can examine, test, diagnose. 10-15 years found good computer help on "Craig's List", but that's deteriorated into a mess now. Won't go into a local computer shop, because, well, ah... , this is not a situation for Thai-style thinking. And I don't trust anything from Facebook. I already tried "Baht-Sold" classified ads, but zero response. Where else to look / post to find someone who understands Macintosh computers and who speaks English? Thank you.

Thank you, @Kiniyeow, very much. I never even heard of "The Hideaway". Pictures show nice atmosphere, big breakfast menu, even Mexican food. Certainly looks worth the effort to get there. For anyone who hasn't had breakfast yet ...

@swbaggies - Perhaps I can offer some suggestions on how to get it done. Installing RJ-45 used to be part of my job, but that was "100" years ago, and I don't remember every little detail. RJ-45 suggests you are setting up or expanding an Ethernet network or a data-grade phone line, such as ADSL. Is that correct? Or something else? I am using Ethernet (with RJ-45) at my house, to avoid Electro-Magnetic Frequency (EMF) radiation. Is that your goal, too? Now-a-days -- with WiFi and Bluetooth everywhere and cheap -- Ethernet is not popular. Finding a technician who knows what to do, and has the specialized tools, will be difficult. Possible, but difficult. Have you considered getting the proper tools and doing it yourself?

Nice report. Thank you, @sqwakvfr for posting about your experience. I've never stayed there, but went to eat at the hotel restaurant several times in years past when the mall was still operating normally. Those meals were nothing special. What stunned me was the audacity in building such a huge complex of hotel + mall. A massive investment of money and of high hopes. All gone now. The hotel will never recover. The massive structure will be torn down for the value of the used bricks. A huge investment gone. Very sad.

@CallumWK: This is a growing worry, and getting worse. Not just you. Not just that bank. Not just Thailand. I follow another forum about banking for expats in various countries. More and more posts about exactly these kinds of problems. As if a "central directive" from somewhere to make banking more and more difficult for expats. Everywhere. Like a vise slowly tightening. If you found some satisfaction at another bank, you are living under a lucky star. Work permit is the "bar" to jump over at that bank today. Tomorrow it will be some other requirement. Next year, something else again.

A respectful reminder that this topic is about a dining group for expats. I suggested @JimTripper start a new topic about Digital Nomads vs. Old Expats. But he preferred to post his views on this thread instead. I, for one, would be most interested in a Nomads vs. Expats topic, just not on this thread.

Gravy?? From a can or jar? Gravy granules? Or make your own from scratch?

Thanks, @JimTripper, for those comments about digital nomads. I've observed similar, but can't quite explain that "odd manner". Would make a most interesting discussion topic here, if you (or anyone else) cares to start a thread. Perhaps a title something like: "Digital Nomads vs. Long-stay Expats".

Thanks, @BKKKevin, and what would be the benefit of a Facebook group? (I'm not on Facebook, so I have no idea. Am I missing something wonderful??)

Opps ! This thread started by simply asking for suggestions of restaurants. Understandably it veered off topic into restaurant reviews. So I suggest, instead of posting "restaurant review" here, please add new topics with the title: Sub forum - restaurant reviews - Chiang Mai: [restaurant name] The purpose in doing it that way is to motivate the forum boss into creating a new "sub topic" specifically for restaurant reviews. Each restaurant would have it's own topic thread.

Preamble: "Restaurants" are a hot topic on any forum for expats -- anywhere in the world -- including this forum. I suggested to root admin to add a sub-forum for restaurant reviews. Hopefully it would self-organize with a separate thread for each restaurant. Root admin advised to start topics that could morph into a sub-forum. So here goes: And I suggest to others adding restaurant reviews to follow this title format: Sub forum - restaurant reviews - Chiang Mai: [restaurant name] ---------- [ Pssst: @suzannegoh.. this is your cue. ] On a separate thread, there is mention of the restaurant, Food for Thought. If worth its own review, I hope customers will post on this thread, including photos and map to location.

Preamble: "Restaurants" are a hot topic on any forum for expats -- anywhere in the world -- including this forum. I suggested to root admin to add a sub-forum for restaurant reviews. Hopefully it would self-organize with a separate thread for each restaurant. Root admin advised to start topics that could morph into a sub-forum. So here goes: And I suggest to others adding restaurant reviews to follow this title format: Sub forum - restaurant reviews - Chiang Mai: [restaurant name] ---------- [ Pssst: @FolkGuitar ... this is your cue. ] On a separate thread, there is a brief "discussion" about the well-known restaurant, Geeko Garden. A good number of farang are regular customers. And Trip Advisor has many positive reviews: The restaurant web site refuses to appear in my browser at all, but here's the link. https://www.gekkogardenrestaurant.com/ And here is a map and some photos from the web: I hope others will add their reviews about Gekko Garden.

Preamble: "Restaurants" are a hot topic on any forum for expats -- anywhere in the world -- including this forum. I suggested to root admin to add a sub-forum for restaurant reviews. Hopefully it would self-organize with a separate thread for each restaurant. Root admin advised to start topics that could morph into a sub-forum. So here goes: And I suggest to others adding restaurant reviews to follow this title format: Sub forum - restaurant reviews - Chiang Mai: [restaurant name] ------------------ Route 66 is a new restaurant in Chiang Mai. Opened just 3 months ago. Menu American diner style. Almost exactly what I'd expect of any roadside dinner in the USA, 40-50-60 years ago. Expect to look up from studying the menu to see parking lot crowded with 18-wheelers. All-day breakfast, including pancakes, corned beef hash, biscuits & sausage gravy Home-made chili with cheese on top Pulled smoked pork sandwich with BBQ sauce and coleslaw inside the sandwich Wisconsin-style home-made bratwurst sausage Philly cheese steak and Italian meatball sub sandwiches Apple pie. Pecan pie. Banana splits Thai foods just one page, at the end of the menu, but variety looks suitable to bring your Thai friend. A full English breakfast, but I'm not qualified to comment on the taste. And no other specifically British foods: No savory pies, not chip buttie, no afternoon tea, either. Clearly focused on American foods. I've been there twice: Clean, neat, well organized -- which tells me management is farang, and that's a good omen for the future of this restaurant. Service quick and with a smile. Waitresses very helpful and quite good English. Eager to make sure we got exactly what we wanted, not just rush to take the order. On of the things I liked best about Route 66, is the food comes to the table hot, or at least still warm. Delivering hot food hot is not a Thai tradition. So this was a pleasant treat. Could improve if the plates were warmed before putting on the food, but that custom seems unknown in these parts. I can recommend (and my taste buds are 100% USA born and bred): pancakes: good taste, soft and fluffy texture, good quality ingredients (i.e. NOT "Imperial" pancake mix. but syrup was "corn syrup" imitation flavour, not even close to real maple syrup. scrambled eggs: cooked just right, no added anything, but could improve if cooked in butter. home-fry potatoes: cooked just right, not slightly raw as in some restaurants with Thai cooks in the kitchen fried shrimp with Sriracha-mayo sauce: I didn't taste this, but got a good report from my Thai companion who scarfed up every bite. But no restaurant is perfect: Those nice home-fries were doused with chili powder. Ugh! I didn't enjoy at all, but some farang will. When I discussed with waitress, she instantly understood the problem of chili powder on the potatoes. And she advised next time to order: "Potato: no preek". So apparently I'm not the only one to complain about that. Lots of parking for motorcycles in front and cars around back. Ramp for wheel chair, but looks like a very narrow ramp -- more like just a "thought" than a use-able ramp. Clean toilets. I just discovered Route 66 last week. Already went back this week for another meal. Major shortcoming for many expats, is location out on the Outer Ring Road. The OUTER ring road. Might as well be in Shaghai as far as some of my fellow expats are concerned. And no song-taew from the moat area, as far as I know. I recommend this restaurant for any American craving the authentic taste of home. And not just "back home", but the taste and quality of years ago in the USA. Restaurant home page and menu: https://www.route66chiangmai.com/ Google map and driving directions: https://shorturl.at/QSvUX This is the first post in what may become a sub-forum for restaurant reviews. Comments and critique welcome.

Okay, I will start doing that now. Without the organization of a sub-forum it will be a little messy to begin. But, it will clean up if a sub forum is opened.

Photos look like a very pleasant garden-style restaurant. And the farang food looks tempting. @hakancnx what are your favorite items to order at "My Kitchen"?

Would be very useful to all readers here: 1. Sub-forum in each city/region for restaurant reviews & comments. Each restaurant has it's own thread. But no need to create specific threads in advance: As new reviews are posted, with restaurant name in the title, that will start a thread for the restaurant. 2. Sub-forum for everyday scams & cheating. Not big news scams, like recent Icon fraud, but countless little scams that we encounter every day: - False bottoms in product containers. - Restaurant delivery menu pictures that aren't even close to the actual food. - Extra charges that aren't revealed at the beginning of a transaction. - Rental apartment that has an air-conditioner, but air-conditioner doesn't get cold at all. "Scams" will be a very popular sub-forum, I'm sure.