Regular features from August 2004 104th Issue

The Digital Doctor - Killing Me Softly!

I've had a few enquiries recently about buying new computers and since I've pretty much covered the hardware side of things in previous articles I thought I would take a look at the software this month. Instead of asking "how much can I get a decent computer for now days?", you should really be asking "what do I want a computer for and what programs do I need?" It could be the difference between spending 15,000 and 30,000 baht on a machine.
Nearly all machines you buy in Thailand will come pre-loaded with software. The brand name units usually give you the option of Linux or licensed Windows XP (usually an extra couple of thousand baht). Linux is a very stable and secure operating system but due to the unfamiliarity factor most people want Windows. With Linux everything is included such as Open Office (equivalent versions of Word, Excel and Powerpoint), Graphics and Photo editors, Media Players, Games, Internet Browsers and so on, all bundled into one package … and the best part is its free! With your Windows machine you get just that … Windows (plus the rapidly expanding M$ Monopoly extras such as Media Player, Internet Explorer etc.) You then need to decide what other software you want.
Don't rely on the computer store to do it for you, they will pre-load your machine but its highly likely that they'll assume you're Thai or fluent in reading Thai. All of your programs are likely to be the Thai versions and CDs are rarely provided to install the language packs. Incidentally there is no Thai version of Windows XP - its multilingual and can support several languages. You need to access the Control Panel and Regional and Language Options to add or remove support for different languages (you will need the original CD to do this). If you have purchased a genuine Windows XP make sure the store gives you the CD - its yours!
Microsoft Office would be your first choice as it has Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook and Access, but the licensed version may well cost you more than the machine! A good alternative previously mentioned is Open Office which is free and does all of the above. The Windows version can be downloaded here: http://download.openoffice.org/index.html but those of you on dialup will be frustrated as it's a 65Mb download.
Then you will need an Antivirus program and I recommend AVG which is also free from http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php make sure you keep it updated. For the security conscious … which should be everyone that connects to the internet I would also recommend a firewall. Windows XP has one built in but for those who like to know what's going on try Zone Alarm here: http://www.zonelabs.com
You should have a graphics and photo editor also and the best around at the moment is Adobe Photoshop, its not the easiest program to use but there's nothing it can’t do. Probably the best feature for the average Joe is the ability to resize the huge files that come off your digital camera to internet friendly ones that don't take 2 hours to send as an attachment. For general picture viewing you cant beat ACDSee, unless of course you wish to install all the junk that came on the CD with your digital camera. You may also want Acrobat Reader for those PDF files, Winzip, and CD writing software of your choice.
Now enough of the work and onto the fun stuff! At some stage you will want to get the most out of your media capabilities and crank out some tunes or watch a DVD and there are plenty of programs that let you do it. You don't need to stick with Windows Media Player just because it came with the machine, there are plenty of less intrusive alternatives. Winamp has always been a sturdy little program for playing MP3 and CDs and what's more it wont take over your internet connection. There are hundreds of media players available online, just Google it and try a few out.
If you're into chatting online there's MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger or ICQ, all free and downloadable. And a number of alternate email clients such as Eudora, Incredimail, Pegasus etc. You need to find what you're comfortable using and don't be afraid to download and try new programs. Nowhere does it state that you must stick with the software that comes with your machine after all that's why we still call them Personal Computers! If you have any computer queries don't hesitate to call the Doc on 01-1911742.

Previous issues of the Digital Doctor can be found on Digital Metrix

If like most investors you are a true equity investor with a long term perspective it is really difficult to gain much useful knowledge from the financial press or financial TV stations like CNBC. They talk very little about the long term investor.

I don't have a demographic of their readership or their viewers but if they have done their market research correctly over 90%must be day traders. They are completely engrossed in what happened yesterday, what's happening to day and where the markets will be at close today. Ken Tower chief market strategist for Schwab's Cyber Trader quoted in the Bangkok Post business section as I write this article-

"Just a few weeks ago ahead of the Federal Reserve's June 30 decision to raise interest rates; investors were worried about an overheating economy increasing inflationary pressure. The current concerns are a stark contrast to that. Everybody is looking for direction. They want to find out where things are moving"

He's probably correct if he's talking about day traders but everybody?

The millions of equity investors around the world live in the real world. Many retirees living in Hua Hin and to-day just finished a round of golf at Springfield may be considering a holiday back home. They are likely to have held their pension contributions in equity funds for 35 years up to the few years before retirement. They are now reaping the benefit of a prudent lifestyle and do you think they ever really worried about an overheated economy.
I don't mean to imply that "where ignorance is bliss it's folly to be wise" but I think the investors I know don't really want to add more bad news to their daily diet of papers and TV. Some broker along the line somewhere told them that in the long term Equity investment would outperform all the rest so get on with enjoying life.
Does that old financial theory really stand the test of time?

Recently I came across "Barclays Equity index" of UK Financial History:
1945 - 2003 - It took a look at investing 100 Pounds Sterling in 1945 under the Attlee Govt. through Churchill, Wilson, Heath, Thatcher and right through to Tony Blair.

Had you invested 100Stg. In 1945, it would have needed to grow to Stg2,502
just to keep pace with inflation.
The same 100Stg. Invested in a UK building Society deposit account with interest reinvested grew to Stg.1,606, a long way short of inflation never mind profit.

Then 100 into Barclay's Gilt index (bonds for Americans) rose to Stg.3,725 (Income reinvested). One would say a modest profit.
But as history proves once again a long time investment in equity markets is unbeatable.
The 100Stg. Invested in 1945 in Barclay's equity index with dividends reinvested returned a whopping profit At Stg78,643. Break this down further and in almost all 10 year segments(98%), equity markets have come out on top. 5 year periods 80%.

One message loud and clear from surveys like this for the long time investor is hang in there. Don't let the media scare you away with their stories of "War on terror, oil price increases, a Greenspan heart attack, Enron or even a change of government.

Remember that these figures were compiled over after the wars in Korea, Vietnam to say nothing of the Gulf wars and all the world's ethnic conflicts in the last 50 years.

If they do scare you out of the markets or stop you going in there, where do you go anyway? The only choice you have is under the mattress or to the banks and building societies. You are then the biggest looser. They can't even keep place with inflation in the long term.

So before your round at Palm Hills to-morrow, if you watch CNBC to night with your nightcap, keep what you hear and see in perspective. Unless of course you're a a day trader.

For further information on this or any area of Personal Finance contact Jerry at info@swissinvestcenter.net or visit the website: www.swissinvestcenter.net

Tantawan’s Kitchen

Favourite Holiday Dishes

Num Tok (Neua or Moo)
Spicy Beef or Pork Salad

1/4 cup ( 50g.) ground pork/beef
1 Coriander , finely chopped
1 tablespoon spring onions, finely chopped
1/2 tablespoon chili powder
15 mint leaves
1 tablespoon rice, roasted and ground
1/2 cup stock
Seasonings
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1/4 teaspoon sugar
Preparation
1 clean beef/pork then grill until cooked but not too dry. Set aside.
2 mix the remaining ingredients with the meat.
3 Add all the seasonings and transfer to a serving dish. Serve prepare with fresh vegetables like cabbage, string beans, cumber and rice.
See you next issue!!

Dave and Porn celebrate their wedding at Billy's

Craig and Nut with theirnew baby girl Alysha

Phea (right) enjoying her birthday at Breezin Bar

Glenn with and empty glass on his birthday at Johnnie Walkers

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

Features

this month

regulars

stories

free ads

sports

golf

funnies

info

back issues