Job Discussion Forums

[Kinyonga]

Hello All,

Newbie here - I have a mundane question, but one that I could not find answered in the archives. I am sitting the fence as to whether or not to (buy and) bring a laptop computer. The question that will decide it for me is this:

How hard would I find it to get internet access on my own laptop in Taipei? Outside Taipei? Is it expensive? Could I plug in at an internet cafe or are there wireless "hotspots"? I read somewhere on these posts that you have to be a local to get a land line, so how does one go about getting an ISP? Is it worth the trouble? Am I better off sticking to Internet Cafes?

Much Appreciated

~K

[clark.w.griswald]

I would think that you should have a local (your landlord even) help you set up ADSL at home. It is available in most places in Taipei, is quick, and relatively cheap. I assume that you could buy a wireless 'box' to work in tandem with that so that you can have wireless access to the internet at home.

[Kinyonga]

Thanks Clark, that helps.

How do most people who post here (from Taiwan) have access to the internet? do they bring a computer, use one at their school, or just use the internet cafes?

~K

[Miyazaki]

My old lady got an internet hook up for the house here.

ARC is all you should need.

In fact, I don't even know which provider we use.

Let me check, and I'll get back to you regarding which service we use.

Internet is much more accessible here than in Japan.
Lots more 'internet cafes' or computer game rooms around the Taipei City area.

[Girl Scout]

I brought my laptop. Some of the other teachers bought ones when they got here. I did buy a wireless card in TW. There are resturants, coffee shops and other places where you can go wireless for free.

There were teachers on three different floors in my building. We went in together on the ADSL and router. We each paid 450NT/month. I thought it was a little high, but since I didn't do the leg work for the contract I can't camplain.

[kuberkat]

Anything tech is ridiculously accessible in Taiwan, and usually state-of-the-art (or at least state-of-the-art-of-bootlegging).
Icafes: everywhere, with access at NT$20- less than US$0.70- per hour.
Hotspots: just about every Starbucks, KFC and other venues.
Internet access at home installed within two days of application. You will need an ARC or a Taiwanese sponsor.
Connection speeds (except during the Sunday afternoon rush hours when the teenagers have their smidgeon of free time) that will make you fall asleep elsewhere.

President Chen Shui-Bian didn't call it the green silicon island for nothing.
Oh, and USE the internet while you're there. It is a lifeline to a bigger world.

[kuberkat]

You are headed for tech heaven.
Icafes? Everywhere, and cheaply priced at around NT$20 per hour.
Hotspots? Just about in every Starbucks and KFC (at least in larger cities.)
Internet access at work? Usually. (Unless too many FT's have been usng it for job-hunting...)
Internet installation at home? Oh yes. Broadband delivered to your door within two days of application. Check out http://www.cht.com.tw/CHTFinalE/Web/ for details. Chung Hwa telecom is really service-oriented now that it no longer holds the telecoms monopoly. Every branch has someone who can help you in English, too. (You will need either an ARC or a Taiwanese sponsor, though.)

President Chen Shui-Bian didn't call it the green silicon island for nothing. Oh yes. Use that connection. It's a lifeline to a bigger world.

[kuberkat]

See, I'm obviously not in Taiwan right now, or that would never have happened. That's just laid-back Thai dial-up for you.

[SurfTaiwan]

In Taichung....

AVIS is a good internet provider. No ARC needed.

Call 0422329639

Better yet have your landlord call them