Regular features from November 2003 95th Issue

The Digital Doctor - Browser Wars

When thinking of what to write for this article I pondered on what is the single piece of software that nearly all of us use (apart from the operating system). It has to be the web browser, and for the majority of us that means Internet Explorer. Since Microsoft bundled its web browser with its operating system a few years back (to the great displeasure of Netscape developers) most of us have just rolled with it and used what comes with the system. It works so why change it?
True, Internet Explorer (IE) is a very good piece of software, it does the job. But like any program there are many pros and cons and several good alternatives. As far as current popularity goes IE is the winner, when checking my website statistics I find that most visitors use IE (on average 90%). A lot of web designers will code only for IE for this reason and their sites may appear different in other browsers.
However there are a number of features that I have found on other browsers that IE lacks. Annoyed by all those pop-up windows that some conceited webmasters feel it's their right to bombard you with? Wouldn't it be great if you could block them without having to install another program? Unfortunately there is no way to do this with Internet Explorer so you'll have to live with them. Wouldn't it also be dandy if you could open new pages in tabs instead of having to open another instance of the program? If want to view six different sites, then with IE you need six instances of it open which will eventually start to use up memory and slow you down. I also don't like the way that Windows XP stacks them all on top of each other in the task bar … time consuming and cluttered, but that's just me.
One good alternative browser that I've been using lately is Mozilla. This has all the functions I mentioned above (popup blocker and tabs) and with the added bonus of being able to open pages faster. It comes with its own email client also if you're getting fed up with Outlook Express. Mozilla is free and can be downloaded from www.mozilla.org the latest version is 1.5. The little brother of Mozilla is called Firebird and is so swift and simple that anyone can use it. It doesn't even need installing so you'll never get that blue screen of death that often crops up with IE. Just download it and un-pack the zip file to the destination of your choice and away you go. Firebird is a slimmed down version of Mozilla, there's no email client (this is a separate download called Thunderbird - no relation to AMD processors) it is just a stand alone fast web browser. It can also be downloaded from www.mozilla.org
There are several other alternative browsers such as Netscape and Opera, you'll just have to experiment and find out what suits you best. Just because IE comes with Windows doesn't mean you must use it. Experimenting with different browsers may change the way you surf the net, after all these computers are called 'personal' for a reason.
There are also the security issues associated with Microsoft products and we all know how much these have been in the limelight lately. Just last month another patch was released for IE, another fix for another hole. This one could allow an attacker to run malicious code due to a vulnerability in IE that would prevent it determining object types returned from a web server in a popup window. In other words if you're using IE un-patched and you stumble across a site with hidden nasties then the script could be run on your machine allowing remote manipulation by an attacker.
If you do insist on using only IE (and millions do so it can't be that bad), then make sure you keep updated on security patches and antivirus software. Also be aware of your version, IE 5.0 comes shipped with Windows 98, ME and 2000, IE 6.0 comes with XP. To find out what version you have open IE, go to help then click about internet explorer. Internet Explorer 6.0 was designed for Windows 2000 and above so be aware that if you are using Windows 98 or ME and want to do an online update you may encounter problems. It is far better to download the full version of the program or patch and save it to your hard drive then run the update offline than to try and attempt an online update. I say this as we all know how unreliable internet connection can be in Hua Hin and there's nothing more annoying than to get 94% of an update done only to get disconnected, lose the file and possibly corrupt your existing system.
Whatever browser you end up using it makes good sense to configure it correctly. In IE tools then internet options will give you all the settings. You can set your homepage, history and temporary file (good practice to delete these once in a while) settings along with security. Security is probably best left on default unless you have nippers surfing the net, if the security settings are too high then some sites will be restricted and cookies may not be stored. Don't worry about cookies; they're simply text files that store information about your preferences on that site. The totally paranoid can wipe all these out or download a program called Spybot search and destroy which will separate the good from the bad cookies. If you have any questions on these or any other computer issues don't hesitate to contact the Doc on 01-1911742, mjy@digitalmetrix.net. www.digitalmetrix.net

Get Smart - Get Swiss

Many expatriates live on a small but adequate budget for life in Thailand.
Some have substantial amounts saved over a lifetime but little idea where to put their money for the safest and best returns.
There is no question in my mind that Switzerland offers the safest home for your investment.
Neutrality, political and economic stability as well as low inflation are the cornerstone of a secure investment location. Switzerland has been a leader in this field for decades.
The level of domestic investment is traditionally high at over 25% thereby contributing to the country's stability. Switzerland also owes its good reputation as a solid investment market in large measure to foreign investors. According to an - Economist Intelligence Unit- report, Switzerland is and continues to be the world's most attractive country for foreign investor's private savings.
For those lucky enough to have capital to invest, Swiss financial services offer a lot more than Swiss banks.
If you invest your capital in Switzerland you can rest assured knowing the country has some of the strictest insurance legislation in the world. Not only do you enjoy the protection of strict discretion due to the fact that there is no obligation to provide information to third parties, but you also take advantage of a unique guarantee which no other insurance market in the world offers. This ensures you receive all the insurance benefits you are entitled to. Even if an insurance company goes bankrupt your entitlements are still secured by a separate fund. This security reserve is managed independently of the insurance company's other assets and is subject to special bankruptcy provisions. This all means that a Swiss insurance policy is the most secure form of investment in the world.
Swiss Invest is a unit linked life insurance policy that is perfect for capital appreciation
This policy gives you the freedom to design your own investment strategy. Flexibility is retained throughout the term of your investment. At any time you can change or adapt your strategy to reflect changes in your personal circumstances or changing market conditions.
All this is achieved with minimum administrative effort on your part
A wide range of the best funds from Swiss Invests reputable partners is available. Fund managers like Fidelity, Goldman Sacs, J P Morgan, UBS, and Lombard Odier to name but a few.
Or you can you can choose to invest in various actively managed fund portfolios. These portfolios come with a built in investment strategy (e.g. fixed income, income-oriented, balanced, growth-oriented or dynamic) which distinguishes them from straight fund investments. Straight funds cover specific individual criteria (like countries, currencies, sectors, etc.) and can be used as building blocks in a portfolio strategy.
You decide which funds or fund portfolios are best for you based on your personal investment and security needs. Over the longer term stocks have been shown to be the best form of investment for capital accumulation. However temporary fluctuations in value cannot be avoided. Bond funds provide you with more security but generally the returns are less than those for equity funds. Swiss Invest can also offer you combinations of these asset classes within all the investment options open to you. You can alter your investment strategy or choice of funds at any time.
To summarise-Swiss Invest combines all the advantages of Switzerland in an innovative life insurance policy
Swiss Invest not only protects your capital with important bankruptcy privileges, but with 100% entitlement guarantees it is more secure than any other investment in any other country. In other words it is the ideal combination of guaranteed security and first class investment perspectives.
In conclusion one of the things I like most about Swiss Invest is that they have no hired staff selling this product. It is marketed and sold only through independent professionals.
As they say in their advertising "If Swiss Invest has been recommended to you, you can be sure there are no better alternatives".
I really believe there are not.
For further information on this article or for any area of personal finance

Please contact Jerry McMenamin at
jerry@swissinvestcenter.net

NEW ROUTES FOR PHUKET AIRLINES

PHUKET Airlines is starting three new domestic routes and is also resuming flights from Bangkok to Phuket. The new routes are Phuket–Had Yai, Phuket–Ranong, and Chiang Mai–Chiang Rai.

The Had Yai and Ranong flights will start on December 5 and will operate four times weekly using a YS11 aircraft configured with 60 seats. The Chiang Mai–Chiang Rai service will be operated daily, also using a YS11 aircraft, and will start on October 20.

Resumption of the Bangkok–Phuket daily service using a Boeing 737-200 with 118 seats will commence
on October 23, leaving Bangkok at 10.30 in the morning.

A spokesman for Phuket Airlines said the new time slot was expected to attract many more customers than the previous service which was suspended in July. That service left Bangkok at 18.00 hours and did not prove popular.

Congratulations! Jimmy (the little one in the middle) is now the new boss at Jan Bar in Cha Am.

Congratulations! Robin (right) who celebrated his birthday at Nung’s Bar

Congratulations! Tim and Nidnoy, who celebrated their engagement at White Sands

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