Regular features from June 2004 102nd Issue

The Digital Doctor - Buying the Beast

Last year I wrote an article on hardware and buying new computers. A year later as technology has moved on, things have got faster and cheaper. At the moment the cheapest brand new desktop computer I have seen available is 10,990 baht, and a new laptop can be had for 21,000 baht. Computers are no longer a major expense (unless you want them to be), a home PC can now be purchased, setup and running for less than the cost of a mobile phone. Naturally you get what you pay for and a bottom end PC will be exactly that, you’re not going to be able to capture video or play Quake Arena online with Mongolia on it but it’ll do the main basic functions that most people want out of a machine. This article will go into the hardware considerations you will make when buying your new beast.

Let’s take a look at the bones of the box first. I can guarantee that the first thing the majority of computer buyers will ask is “how fast is the processor?” In the grand scheme of things this is only a minor consideration and there are a number of other things that will affect the speed other than the CPU. The CPU is usually the deciding factor though so I'll take a look at them first. Today you really have a choice of four different processors and the summary below highlights the functionality, cost and general applications of each one:

Intel Pentium 4: The most popular CPU at the moment, also the most expensive. Pentium 4’s are extremely stable and robust processors that can be applied to any application. Speeds range from 1.8Ghz to 3.4Ghz, 2.6Ghz is the current industry standard costing approximately 6,500 baht.

AMD Thunderbird XP: The big rival to the P4, this chip is considerably cheaper and in bench tests usually out perform the equivalent Pentium CPU. These are better for gaming but usually require more case cooling. Speeds range from 1.4Ghz to 2.8Ghz, current industry standard is the 2.4Ghz costing around 3,000 baht.

Intel Celeron: Lower range, cheaper processor that is only really suited to basic office and internet applications. Current speeds run from 1.7Ghz to 2.6Ghz, 2.0Ghz being the standard weighing in at 2,800 baht.
AMD Duron: AMD’s equivalent that will tackle basic computing but will struggle on more processor hungry applications. Very cheap option with speeds from 1.0Ghz to 1.7Ghz, pricing around the 2,000 baht mark.

Two newer processors that you’re unlikely to encounter yet are the Intel Pentium M (mobile unit for laptops) and AMD Athlon 64 (the first 64bit CPU).

One of the most overlooked piece of hardware when purchasing a new computer is RAM. This will have the most effect on the machines operational speed, you should have at least 256Mb, preferably 512Mb for today's applications. I wouldn’t even bother with a computer that ships with only 128 Megabytes of RAM. Mainboard is another consideration but again one that’s often overlooked. If you’re going for bottom end spec and minimal application such as Windows, Office and Internet then I wouldn't worry too much about the mainboard. If, on the other hand, you'll be wanting a little more out of your beast then you should take a look at what’s inside.

Most of the cheap end computers come with mainboards that have everything onboard. By this I refer to your features such as Graphics Card, Sound Card and Network Card. This is fine for a machine that won’t be used for anything more than the odd letter to mum and the daily check of BBC news but once you get into the realm of graphics, games, video, and multi-tasking then you should really have a higher quality mainboard with separate components. Another thing to remember is that onboard graphics chips usually share memory from your system RAM, thus lowering the overall performance of the machine and the memory available. It may say 256Mb RAM but if you have an onboard graphics card then this figure will be reduced.

A mid-range home PC for around 18-20,000 baht should also have a modem, speakers, a CD burner, 60Gb hard disk and 17" monitor as standard. Make sure you shop around and don’t just buy the first thing you see, there are at least three computer shops in Hua Hin and they should all be able to build you a custom spec machine. Brand names are fine but it’s what’s in the box that really counts. A nice shiny HP Compaq will cost you a considerable amount more for a similar and often lower specification unit than a custom or non branded machine. True they do have a longer warranty and the case is quite nice but for the price difference you can almost buy most of the spare parts!

Next comes the question of where to buy, obviously computers and components are cheaper in Bangkok that Hua Hin but you have to balance it out with the time and expense of travelling up to the Big Mango and buying your kit. Another consideration is if you have a component failure under warranty and have to return the machine … another trip to the Smoke. Buying locally for anything computer wise from a full PC system to an ink cartridge will cost you more but finally it will be your decision when it comes to balancing it out. Support is another consideration to make, what will the store offer in the event of a problem? Will they come to your place or do you have to strap the beast to the back of the wifes Honda Wave and lug it back to the shop?

There are many considerations to make when buying or even upgrading a computer, this article has covered the basics of the hardware issues. Then there is software to consider but we’ll leave that for another month! If you have any hardware headaches or any web or computer problems you can always call the Doc on 01-1911742. Previous articles can be found on www.digitalmetrix.net

Add some interest to your Guaranteed Funds

“When you retire it won’t matter how much you’ve earned during your working life, all that will matter is how much you’ve saved”.
This punch line came to mind last week when I received a Royal Skandia final statement for a client whose 10 year savings plan had matured.
Later while walking around Hua Hin and observing young and middle-aged farangs I wondered how many of them had a regular savings habit and how many just squandered their earnings as they came. Younger people think old-age is another world. Anyone approaching 60 will tell you differently.
Fewer and fewer people have lifetime jobs where pension contributions are mandatory. At retirement many of them can afford the pleasures life has to offer, at least one overseas trip every year; help the grandchildren buy their first car, first computer, first house; first whatever.
If they saved regularly in addition to their pension the likelihood is that money problems are of no concern.
Let me ask you how many people you know who have no regular savings and just get by on state pensions from their country of origin? Look at the furore recently when immigration announced modest minimum income (by western standards) requirement for foreigners wishing to live in Thailand.
If these people making the noise had been forced to make pension contributions while working, then their golden years would not be impoverished ones. I am not being self righteous just stating the factual situation for some ex-pats.
And do you really think the people today who have a chance to make a difference to their own future and who are not forced to have some retirement arrangement will suddenly get enthusiastic about providing for themselves? Some will, but a large swathe of people will not, they will make many excuses. Can’t afford right now, I’m leaving the country next year. I’ll sell my business when I retire. They really fail to see that the only person that can look after the old person that they will one day be is the young person that they are now.
Mind you ex-pats have not been helped too much by offshore pension providers. The charging structure in many cases has been so high that charges have outweighed the benefits of tax free growth. I have to say I was lucky with my Royal Skandia client. Starting in 1994 in Bangkok, he paid in US$280 per month for ten years (Total US$33,500 in total) and received back US$51,508. As one of his many investments he can now enjoy the benefits back in Belgium where he has retired.
When people came to me then and asked for regular premium products (a rare occurrence) I pointed out the pitfalls but I have never actively solicited regular premium business. The reasons I have already stated. Not good value for clients and too high charges.
Now however that has all changed Royal Skandia have moved the goalposts and their regular premium business is, until the end of June, the best low charge deal that has ever been offered to offshore clients.
I could explain all the technical reasons why I can recommend, for the first time, a regular savings product, but it is difficult to explain clearly in an article like this; an example works best.
Let’s look at an example based on a contribution of US$500 per month for 15 years with a growth rate of 9%.
The standard return would be US$160,000. The special offer return US$170,000.
That’s an extra 10,000 dollars which was formerly eaten up by mostly charges.
For those without a pension provision it’s time to take responsibility and forget the excuses. This is an opportunity to change your future from penury to financial stability Like all things in life the choice is yours. Don’t get to be a pensioner in Hua Hin blaming Mr Thaksin for everything, complaining about new immigration requirements and begrudging a 5 baht tip to a waitress.

For more information on any area of personal finance please contact Jerry McMenamin at jerry@swissinvestcenter.net

WILDLIFE FRIENDS OF THAILAND - NEWS FROM THE RESCUE CENTER

Baby Malayan Sun Bear Arrives at the Center
In January the Wildlife Friends were asked to take in and care for a two week old baby Malayan sun bear that had been poached from the wild and was discovered and confiscated by the police before it was sold by illegal traders. The cub was so small and weak we were unsure if she would survive but thankfully she pulled through those first few critical weeks and is now thriving and growing and developing well. She is now walking around and getting stronger each day and in a few months will be introduced to the center’s five other resident sun bears.

Eleven Macaques Rescued From Bangkok Temple
March the 17th was a turning point in the lives of eleven macaques being kept at a temple in Bangkok. The long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques, of mixed ages, were all being kept in horrific conditions. All were confined in small, rusty cages that were one meter deep in rubbish that was crawling with ants, they had obviously not been cleaned for months if not years. The macaques had no proper sleeping places or places to rest and were forced to balance on thin pieces of bamboo or else lie on the litter. Several of the macaques have health problems due to malnutrition and skin infections from living in such a filthy environment. All are now being taken care of in the quarantine area at the rescue center and seem pleased with their new homes, especially their individual sleeping baskets! The younger ones are enjoying being able to run around the floor of the cages and swimming in their water pools.
Sadly such a case is not uncommon and there are many more macaques and other animals living in such conditions at other locations around the country awaiting help.

More Gibbons Rescued
This month has seen two more gibbons arrive at the center, both unwanted pets from Bangkok that have grown too big for their owners
to handle. After their period in quarantine they will both move to enclosures next to other gibbons where they wil be given the chance to resocialize and learn how to behave like gibbons, not pets.
This brings the number of rescued gibbons at the center to over thirty, most of which live on islands situated in a lake, able to swing in the trees as they would in the wild and free from the confines of a cage.
Wildlife Friends Director To Advise On Wildlife Issues
Recently Edwin Wiek, Founder and Director of the Wildlife Friends of Thailand, has been asked to act as Advisor to a sub-commitee of the Parliament to offer advice on changes in wildlife protection laws and other issues regarding wildlife protection in the country. The Wildlife Friends are looking forward to working even more closely with the authorities and helping to implement changes that will help to protect Thailand’s wildlife.

Tantawan’s Kitchen

Favourite Holiday Dishes

Moo Phat Prig Gang Tua
Fried pork with green beans – Spicy

Ingredients:
2 gms Pork sliced
2 gms of Green Beans
1/2 gm of Chilli Paste
Splash of milk
Kafir lime leaf

Method: Fry two soup spoons of oil in a wok before adding the chilli paste, add the pork and the kafir leaf.
Add a splash of fish sauce, and a pinch of sugar, and keep hot until the pork is cooked, then add the green beans, after a couple of minutes stir in two soup spoons of milk.

This dish is eaten with plain boiled rice.

 
Paul and Dom setting the night alight

 
Ple's Birthday

O's Birthday

Paul and Mos enjoying the music

Terry with parents on birthday

Porns birthday at PandP Bar

Nong's birthday

Rogues gallery

Useful Telephone Numbers for Hua Hin

Railway station
032-512 770, 032-511 073

Bus station of Hua Hin
032-511 654, 032-512 543

Bus station of Prachuabkirikhan
032-601 901

Bus station of Pranburi
032-621 443

Hua Hin Hospital
032-520 401

Dog Rescue Center
0-1981 4406

Wild life Rescue Center (Tayang)
032-458 135

Department of Land Cha-am office:
032- 430 846-7

Department of Land Hua Hin office:
032-536 164, 032-512 407

Department of Land Prachuabkirikhan:
032-611 211

Department of Land Pranburi
032-622 199

Local Government (Hua Hin)
032-521 340, 532 471

Local water supply
032-511 677

The Power Board of Hua Hin
032-512 215, 032 513 165

Observer office:
032-531 078

Red Cross.
032-512 567

San Paolo Hospital
032-532 576-85

Polyclinic International
032-516 424, 032-516 425

Shell Cooking Gas
032-511 144, 032- 515 620

The Communication Authority of Thailand
(Hua Hin)
032-511 351

Rotary Club of Hua Hin
0-1916 6637
Meeting every Thursday 8.pm
at Hua Hin Grand Hotel & Plaza

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