welo

How much HDD space does it take up?

@dddave

How is the quality of the touch screen (sensitivity, not picture quality). I had a netbook-style Android based Chinese device once in my hands and the touch screen was horrible.

welo

@lomatopo

Is the USB modem support really such an issue? I looked into this a while back when I bought a router with 3G support. It had an option where you could configure unsupported modems by specifying the commands required to connect.

That made me think that the 3G modem have a rather high level interface - if this is true than a 'driver' on the OS would be rather low-tech?

Do you have any insight how 3G modem support on Android works. I mean not the technical details but how difficult it is to find/setup drivers for an unknown 3G modem.

welo

When exchanging a valid, stored-value (not a 30-day, ride-based card) card, with ~ 18 baht left (I tried using it to enter, was informed at the gate to see the ticket office) I was asked for the 50 baht deposit. I happened to have the website on my phone, showed it to the agent; she said "sorry, OK, no 50 baht" Perhaps they get to pocket the 50 baht as a commission? I did lose the 18 baht as it seemed way too complex to explain/request. Hard to figure why they don't have an automated exchange capability?

http://www.bts.co.th...ass_Rabbit.html

Thanks. I'm gonna try this so I can save my 50 baht

Well, they always get you no matter what.

lomatopo didn't pay the 50 baht issuing fee, but he did not get his 18+30 Baht deposit refunded. The 30 Baht are - if I understand correctly - a *hidden* deposit that I guess guarantees that there is always the maximum fare of 45 Baht on the card (you can not enter with less than 15 Baht on your card - 15+30 = 45).

Quote from the website about the 'old' SmartPass:

For the first issue:

- Non-refundable card issuing fee of 30 Baht

- Traveling deposit of 30 Baht

- Initial value is as specified by the Company

Not absolutely sure about the 30 Baht though.

Windows XP support is limited, it only allows wireless ad-hoc connections (PC to PC) - it cannot turn your Wifi into a full hot spot with multiple clients (and easy connecting) - this only works on Windows 7.

I had a look at connectify 2 years ago and I found it tricky to use - and I consider myself pretty tech-savvy.

If the screen is attached at boot time than the Bios (=firmware of the motherboard/graphics chipset) will detect it and enable the signal on the VGA port. If you attach it at a later point then the (Windows) software driver is responsible for enabling the VGA port.

The goal is to find out if the hardware in your laptop is broken, or if it is merely a software (driver) issue.

If the VGA port is enabled during boot time then you know that the hardware is working.

But the reverse conclusion is not necessarily true because different laptops handle the VGA port in different ways. Meaning, if your screen is not enabled when an external screen is connected at boot time, it does not necessarily mean that you have a hardware problem.

Does that make sense?

It's not pink.

it's for the daughter and she's currently next to me happily watching Scooby Doo on her new pink Asus 1250C.

LOL.

Did you find out if the 2GB are soldered or upgradeable?

If you have the external screen plugged in and reboot does the external work?

This is good advice!

2GB vs 4GB: the answer depends on your usage pattern - how many apps have you running in parallel and how much RAM do they need? If the money is not a problem, why not get more RAM? But will it significantly improve your youtube experience - I doubt it

No matter if you need an upgrade or not, soldered RAM (and no additional slot) is crap IMHO. But is it a deal breaker - I am not sure, depends on the alternatives.

Seems the RAM in the Asus is soldered onto the motherboard and CANNOT be upgraded:

http://www.asus.com/...#specifications

http://www.asus.com/...#specifications

Also, SteffanBKK has a good point.

On 32bit Windows you cannot see the full 4GB. It can address up to 4GB but some of the address space is used/reserved for virtual devices. So Windows 7 32bit can only see about 3.6 GB.

If the system has a GPU with dedicated onboard memory that further cuts off the 3.6GB address space - e.g. a video card in a PC with 512MB of RAM only leaves 3GB of address space for the system. Even if 4GB RAM is installed, Windows 32bit can only address (aka use, aka 'see') 3GB for its system and programs.

In your case (Windows 7 32bit):

4GB: addressable memory (3.6GB) - dedicated video ram (0GB) - shared video ram (128MB?) - Windows core (0.5GB) = 3 GB

2GB: addressable memory (2GB) - dedicated video ram (0GB) - shared video ram (128MB?) - Windows core (0.5GB) = 1.4 GB

Watching a YouTube video in Chrome takes 150MB on my system (64bit) for one page, with 5 youtube pages running (in tabs) it is about 600MB.

So you should be fine even on a 2GB system if you don't fill it up with junk that is running in the background. But yes, an upgrade to 4GB will make a difference in available RAM despite the 32bit limit.

Btw I wouldn't bother installing Windows 7 64bit - the whole system (Windows core and programs) will use slightly more RAM due to technicalities eating up most of the 0.4GB that you gain compared to a 32bit setup.

(IMPORTANT: this is only for your specific setup - if a computer has dedicated video RAM (0.5GB or more) 64bit will be indeed the better option.)

A word on video performance. The new 'Cedar Trail' Atom line (N2600, N2800, ..) comes with a more powerful GPU (graphics processor) which has special video decoding support (for H.264) - we are talking about Full HD video decoding capabilities so I guess YouTube videos should be fine (with new browsers and Flash versions actually supporting GPU rendering).

http://www.anandtech...he-2012-netbook

hth

Gonna hijack this thread a bit, hope nobody minds too much! I saw that Crossy is here and he is tha man!

I thought I had understood grounding issues when I looked into it the first time a came to Thailand, but now that I think about it it's not totally clear to me.

I understand that the tickling when touching the PC comes from a difference in pontential (voltage) between the PC case and the ground where I am standing.

Corssy, you write that 'The tickle is caused by the mains inlet filter'.

If I remember correctly somebody (here on the forums, was it you? ) told me once that the difference actually comes from the neutral at the electric company's facility (= ground level there) and the ground at the consumer can differ due to the distance (in kilometers). Is that correct?

So this means that the neutral in the PC somehow leaks (is connected?) to the PC case. Is this normal or the sign of a badly built PC? Shouldn't the computer case be completely insulated from the neutral?

If my understanding is too far off just tell me, I will go back to the basics. But maybe I just miss a view minor things you can point out to me.

So can touching the computer case actually destroy something inside the computer? Wouldn't it go the shortest way? That brings up the question where it actually 'comes from' - the power adapter I guess?

*confused*

For example, in Boston, you can buy a single-trip for the bus and get one free bus transfer or you can buy a single-trip fare on the train and get a free bus transfer (free train transfer across the lines as well).

So can you transfer from bus to bus on a normal single-trip ticket? Only once or multiple times?

I really miss the public transport system in Vienna. I guess Vienna is repeatedly in the top ten of The Most Liveable Cities for a good reason

The bangkok bus system is actually quite extensive - if it weren't for the unpredictability (waiting time, arrival time) and the heat (no A/C) I would use it more often.

I am actually one of those who wished that there were reserved lanes for public buses all over the city. That and equip all buses with A/C

Check out this neat online bus map of Bangkok: http://www.mapguidethailand.com/home/map?l=en&link=2 (Thinknet has a good printed Bangkok bus map as well).

BTS website says about the (old) SmartPass

BTS SKY SmartPass

1. 5 Year Card Life starts from date of issue.

2. Passes are available for purchase at a minimum of 130 Baht (including traveling deposit 30 baht and issuing fee 30 baht)

3. Travelling deposit (30 baht) is not included in travel value, shown on the cardreader screen at an Automatic Gate.

4. Value on Passes may be refilled at anytime. The minimum value that may be added is 100 baht and maximum stored value must not exceed 2,000 Baht.

5. Any value remaining over 2 years after date of issue or last refill, or last use for travel, cannot be exchanged for cash or other services of any kind. (details as per Conditions of Use for BTS SKY SmartPasses).

So the 30 Baht issuing fee is lost, but the (hidden? see point 3.) travelling deposit will be refunded, I assume.

In the case of Furbie, he had an expired SmartPass (older than 5 yrs), which is not eligible for the free swap according to the website. So his 30 Baht issuing fee was lost anyway because the card was expired - this was unrelated to the RabbitCard - and it seems he got his deposit refunded (the 30 Baht 'hidden' deposit included?) according to point 5.

If however, his card was still valid but it was longer than 2 years after the last refill, then according to the conditions above, he shouldn't have gotten any refund of deposit and balance. But he would have been eligible for the free swap.

When I exchange for my ‘free’ Rabbit card, the cost will be 575+50 (deposit) +100 (for McDonalds or BTS extension or .... no choice, must do)

So my free exchange costs 50+100

OK, so they waver you the issuing fee of 50 Baht, but you still have to pay the 50 Baht deposit - which should actually be only 20 Baht because you get the 'hidden' travel deposit of the old card refunded (if this is actually true - can't confirm this) - Plus 100 Baht minimum topup.

The 50 Baht should be refundable if you return the card within its validity period, and the 100 Baht can be used for traveling on the BTS or buying junk food.

I understand that you are not happy about the forced top-up of 100 Baht if you are a vivid 30-day pass rider.

What I also find disturbing is that with this new card the customer cannot decide whether to use the standard fare / deposit for a trip or one of the 30-day pass rides. The system will *always* deduct 'rides' first, and then deposit.

So if a customer travels one station that might actually cost him 25 Baht (15 rides/30 days) instead of 15 Baht.

Sadly a significant number of people no longer believe in ‘principle over value’

Haha, I am definitely not one of them. Otherwise I wouldn't bother to write this awkwardly detailed post.

The first guy tried to keep my deposit and balance and get me to pay for a new card.

The second guy refunded my deposit and balance, but charged me for a new card! I just can’t win – had no choice but to buy it, my card expired and would not work anymore (five years old).

To be fair, the website says:

Existing BTS SmartPass cardholders can replace their existing passes with a new Rabbit card free of charge [...] SmartPasses to be replaced should still be within 5 Year Card Life validity

So he refunded the deposit (what is it, 30 Baht?) AND your balance of your *expired* SmartPass and charged 50 Baht for the Rabbit card which makes the effective costs of the new card 20 Baht. That's not that bad, is it?

Well, I already gave you an example in a previous reply to one of your posts.

A single journey ticket in Vienna is 80 Baht (2 EUR), and you are allowed to switch between subway, buses, tramways and trains as often as you need to reach your destination. A one-day ticket (unlimited number of rides) is 170 Baht and for daily commuters there are other cheaper options.

Other cities in Austria have similar systems, but they don't have a subway Also, the tickets are not based on distance but per ride (at least in the inner city zone excluding outer suburbs).

I don't dispute that a subway (or skytrain) system is more expensive to build/operate than a bus based system though. I also understand that there is no way that a system like this would work in Bangkok at the moment.

Is a system like that in Vienna really the exception in 'wealthy western cities'?

Get an universal one. will cost you around 600

Bought one of those for 450 2 yrs ago, outside of Bangkok.

Btw I had all kind of power adapters die on me here in Thailand: one original, one branded copy, one universal. *sigh*

my water pump cycles sometimes and usually in the morning hours

leaks are usually not limited to morning hours

Could be that at these times the cycling pump is noticed more easily because the house is more quiet?

Or maybe temperature related problems?

I had pump troubles myself last month and the pump had erratic behavior every now and then (no pattern). I wonder whether problems (especially if the pump itself is leaking/failing) could be related to outside temperature (e.g. the material deforming).

We eventually had the pump replaced. Problem solved.

As for "keeping costs high to keep the poor out." Can you honestly argue that based in fact? Rapid transit systems around the world are never designed to cater to everyone. Even in wealthy cities in developed countries, plenty of people use less costly buses to make their journeys rather than pay higher prices for faster rail transit.

small correction: "Even in SOME wealthy cities in developed countries..."

Others have a unified ticketing system where it doesn't matter which mode of transport you choose (subway, bus, tram), you will always pay the same price (per ride).

You may find there is a thermostat inside behind the grill. I though My old one did not have one but it did. A airconguy replaced it with a remote one for about 1000baht.

Mine does have a thermostat connected by cable - and since the brand of the thermostat is different from that of the aircon, I guess the unit itself did not come with one.

Not sure I would invest even 1000 Baht into this old unit But thanks for the hint!

I put 2 air cons in a rental unit were i stayed after I sold my other home and was looking for another home. All I did was repair the wall were the holes were and painted when i moved out and the land lord told me I could leave the electrical so it was not a problem they were newA/Cs

So what did you do with the aircons when you moved out. Did you sell them or could you use them at your new place?

@electau

Thanks for this hint. One thermostat actually does not work reliably - I wonder if it might have to do with that it apparently has never been cleaned but painted over during a wall repaint at least once

My first electric bill arrived and while it was not shocking it was higher than expected. I might try to trike a deal with the landlord to have a new one fitted, but will have to wait 2 or 3 months for tactical/psychological reasons.

@canuckoverseas

Thanks for the idea. I dont think that will be a cost-efficient approach though (in Thailand)

the Baht 50 issue fee is applicable to NEW Rabbit cards...however if you are exchanging an existing Smart Pass it doesnt apply...

Well, *I* understand that but do the ticket officers as well?

Your topped up card is refundable with no hassle at all by handing it the cashier and asking for a refund. (Used to be that way....)

Well, that doesn't work for me I guess. I topped up the 30-day SmartPass at Thong Lor station and used my first ride to Bang Chack, where I realized that I have to pay the extra 15 Baht.

Of course the ticket officer at Thong Lor did not give any remark that the 30-day pass is not valid on the new extension.

@NBD

Did you buy a new 30-day SmartPass or did you top up your old card? I've read that BTS should have stopped selling the old SmartPass after 24th of April...

The whole thing is not a world crisis but it is annoying.

And I think complaining about this mess is a valid strategy to hopefully push the people responsible to fix the system. I mean I thought about posting on the web forum on the BTS homepage, but they don't even have an admin there who removes the zillion of spam posts...

... last I checked a one-station trip on the Tube in London was about 4 quid.

So yeah, it sucks that fares have increased, but it still represents the best way to get around if your origin and destination are near the alignment. While it reeks of TV's typical hater attitude, if you live in Bangkok and you can't afford to ride the BTS now that fares have increased, you probably shouldn't be here in the first place. It's really not that expensive...

A single journey ticket in Vienna is 80 Baht (2 EUR), and you are allowed to switch between subway, buses, tramways and trains as often as you need to reach your destination. A one-day ticket (unlimited number of rides) is 170 Baht and for daily commuters there are other cheaper options.

I am not sure these comparisons make a lot of sense, especially comparing Bangkok to one of the most expansive cities in Europe (London).

Personally, I don't complain about the general price increase, but I object the stupidity of the new system (15 Baht flat rate, 30-day pass not being valid for entire network) which is very likely due to the involved parties (BMA and BTS) not being able to work out a cost sharing system - or maybe due to technical limitations of the current ticketing system?

I wonder what happens when the BTS network grows (hint: red line). Will they be able to work out a ticketing system that is valid on the entire network, or will we have to pay separately each time we cross into a section that was financed by a different authority?

BANGKOK, 20 April 2012 (NNT) – The Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Co (BTS) is introducing a “Rabbit Pass” to current holders of BTS 30-Day Smart Pass to use on the newly extended On Nut-Bearing section on the Sukhumvit Line.

Surapong Laoha-Unya, Executive Director of BTS Group, said a new flat-rate fee of 15 baht for the extension from On Nut to Bearing stations will not be applied to passengers holding a 30-day smart pass.

http://thainews.prd....id=255504200012

Clearly he is not that well informed about certain details of the new pricing scheme.

"30 day pass - not applicable for travel on the Sukhumvit Line Extension"

http://www.bts.co.th...ass_Rabbit.html

Thanks for the hint, lomatopo. We were indeed quoted 50 Baht card issue fee at the BTS Bang Chak ticket counter on Sunday. This was a 30-day pass, but reading the website I cannot see that this swap option is limited to stored-value cards only...

I wonder if we had gotten a receipt for the 50 Baht or not...