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DenUk
Joined: 08 Aug 2009
Posts: 60
Location: Ask me..
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 Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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First impressions - Wow!
How do you plan on packing a printer in your luggage...
I was hoping being a University, they would have a printer and computers (I'm sure i've seen pics on their sites of computer labs)
I dont think i'll bring a printer, even though I should. Its looks like the uni isn't well-equppied as I thought.
Feel free to PM me, I have to post 5 postings before I can PM :S |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:36 pm Post subject: |
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Dear DenUK and leez,
For goodness sake, make it easy on yourselves - travel light and buy the stuff there. You'll be able to.
Mr. Jones knows whereof he speaks.
"You'll be able to buy anything you need. Think isolated towns in the US."
Regards,
John |
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DenUk
Joined: 08 Aug 2009
Posts: 60
Location: Ask me..
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| Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:39 pm Post subject: |
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| johnslat wrote: |
Dear DenUK and leez,
Mr. Jones knows whereof he speaks.
"You'll be able to buy anything you need. Think isolated towns in the US."
Regards,
John |
Hi John,
Have you taught in SA?
When you say anything you need, I was aware the town is located in a remote part of the country, and someone else put a posting saying ' Al Jouf doesn't have any bookshops'
By your statement above, do you mean we'll have to travel to a nearby town for supplies? |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 11:42 pm Post subject: |
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Dear DenUK,
"Have you taught in SA?"
Yup, I taught there a total of nineteen years, five in Jeddah and fourteen in Riyadh.
Al Jouf isn't a "major metropolis", but it's not a one-camel town, either. Mr. Stephen Jones is very well-informed on the Kingdom, and when he wrote that "You'll be able to buy anything you need," he was providing you with accurate info (unless, of course, you need to buy, say, a Falcon Northwest computer - cost about $10,000.)
Regarding books, what I'd do if I were going to Saudi now is I'd take my Kindle, fully loaded, with me. You can get one for about $300, and it's the best $300 I ever spent:
Say Hello to Kindle
Slim: Just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines
Lightweight: At 10.2 ounces, lighter than a typical paperback
Wireless: 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle, anytime, anywhere; no monthly fees, service plans, or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots
Books in Under 60 Seconds: Get books delivered in less than 60 seconds; no PC required
Paper-like Display: Reads like real paper; now boasts 16 shades of gray for clear text and even crisper images
Long Battery Life: 25% longer battery life; read for days without recharging
Carry Your Library: Holds over 1,500 books
Read-to-Me: With the new text-to-speech feature, Kindle can read every newspaper, magazine, blog, and book out loud to you, unless the book's rights holder made the feature unavailable
Free Book Samples: Download and read first chapters for free before you decide to buy.
Large Selection: Over 300,000 books plus U.S. and international newspapers, magazines, and blogs available
Low Book Prices: New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise
Regards,
John |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 1:12 am Post subject: |
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Yes, but can you download kindle books in Saudi?
Also... were they talking about books or textbooks?
VS |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 1:36 am Post subject: |
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Dear Veiledsentiments,
Read here
The Kindle works without being attached to a computer only in the United States. When traveling outside the United States, you must attach it to a computer to download new items.
If you travel outside the United States the Kindle cannot connect to Amazon via Whispernet, so you can only purchase new books or get newspaper and magazine subscriptions onto your Kindle via a computer with an Internet connection.
If traveling without a computer, purchase books and load them onto your Kindle before you leave. You will not receive any newspaper or magazine subscriptions direct to your Kindle while traveling.
If you have access to a computer while traveling, download purchases and subscriptions from Amazon to your computer and then move to your Kindle via the USB cable (more details below).
http://www.sloweurope.com/travel/electronics/kindle.php
about traveling with a Kindle. Also there are literally thousands of books that can be downloaded for free on the Net.
Last edited by johnslat on Mon Aug 10, 2009 1:42 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 1:37 am Post subject: |
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John: I hear that indoor plumbing is coming to first, al-jouf, and, later, the rest of saudi arabia. Is there any truth to this rumour?
NCTBA |
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leez
Joined: 05 Jun 2009
Posts: 115
Location: wait until next week...yes, of course the embassy is closed on monday!
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:38 am Post subject: |
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| Never Ceased To Be Amazed wrote: |
al-jouf have no environs... You couldn't ask for a more remote outpost in the kingdom.
No, wait! There's always the Empty Quarter...
NCTBA |
NCTBA, after reading your post, my imagination ran riot with images of flyblown outhouses behind the school, camels tied up in front, and teachers carrying 50# of texts & supplies on dusty roads, an apt initiation for the woefully ignorant slugs willing to accept such a post.....
tsk, tsk, so much for believin' everything i read...
xo |
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leez
Joined: 05 Jun 2009
Posts: 115
Location: wait until next week...yes, of course the embassy is closed on monday!
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:45 am Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
Yes, but can you download kindle books in Saudi?
Also... were they talking about books or textbooks?
VS |
VS, thanks for the prompt. i had also read that kindle only worked in the US.
and yes, i am talking about bring classroom material, not personal reading material, everything for all 4 skills for levels 1-3 (based on a 5 level program). figured that would provide a cushion to any mandated, published, curriculum that will be provided.
if i'm off base on this, and truly do not need supplemental materials, i am happy to leave my gear in storage. on the other hand, if i have 140# baggage allowance, why not bring stuff to make my life easier?
thanks,
leezer
xo |
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leez
Joined: 05 Jun 2009
Posts: 115
Location: wait until next week...yes, of course the embassy is closed on monday!
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:50 am Post subject: |
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| johnslat wrote: |
Dear Veiledsentiments,
Read here
The Kindle works without being attached to a computer only in the United States. When traveling outside the United States, you must attach it to a computer to download new items.
http://www.sloweurope.com/travel/electronics/kindle.php
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Dear John,
This is great news from a great post; thank you. Armed with this info, looks like i'm going shopping! 
leezer
xo |
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leez
Joined: 05 Jun 2009
Posts: 115
Location: wait until next week...yes, of course the embassy is closed on monday!
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 5:02 am Post subject: |
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| johnslat wrote: |
Dear DenUK and leez,
For goodness sake, make it easy on yourselves - travel light and buy the stuff there. You'll be able to.
Mr. Jones knows whereof he speaks.
"You'll be able to buy anything you need. Think isolated towns in the US."
Regards,
John |
Dear John,
I read sj's post, but did not think this included English teaching materials, etc, etc. Gads, this will all make so much more sense in about 30 days! 
xo |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 5:21 am Post subject: |
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| leez wrote: |
| Never Ceased To Be Amazed wrote: |
al-jouf have no environs... You couldn't ask for a more remote outpost in the kingdom.
No, wait! There's always the Empty Quarter...
NCTBA |
NCTBA, after reading your post, my imagination ran riot with images of flyblown outhouses behind the school, camels tied up in front, and teachers carrying 50# of texts & supplies on dusty roads, an apt initiation for the woefully ignorant slugs willing to accept such a post.....
Never said or implied such! That was your bizarre interpretation! Have you even looked at a map as to where al jouf is? It's stuck out in the middle of nowhere under the twin armpits of the Jordanian and Iraqi deserts! I NEVER said that there wasn't any commerce there albeit it's VERY limited in reference to its size and REMOTENESS!
There's a reason that the 160th SOAR used the airport there to quietly begin operations against Saddam before the war actually "started". John and I aren't in disagreement here. I was talking as to REMOTENESS. He was speaking as to the ABILITY TO PURCHASE THINGS after you and DenUK started going on and on as to how you were going to restock that place.
You may note as you're peering down yer nose at your computer screen, he didn't say that all of these things are readily available in al jouf. Oh, I'm sure that they are there...as to the range of shopping options...not much.
tsk, tsk, so much for believin' everything i read...
Er, um...half of what you read and nothing of what you hear...my dear. Enjoy your stay in that oasis town.
xo |
NCTBA |
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DenUk
Joined: 08 Aug 2009
Posts: 60
Location: Ask me..
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:20 am Post subject: |
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Hiya guys,
I'm not from the States, and I do appreciate humour in the postings on the forum, however I seem to be thinking 'Why can't people just answer the question  , would make life easier for those travelling to places for the 1st time in their life'
So, will we be able to buy EFL-related resources from the town? |
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DenUk
Joined: 08 Aug 2009
Posts: 60
Location: Ask me..
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:23 am Post subject: |
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| johnslat wrote: |
Dear DenUK,
"he was providing you with accurate info (unless, of course, you need to buy, say, a Falcon Northwest computer - cost about $10,000.)
Regarding books, what I'd do if I were going to Saudi now is I'd take my Kindle, fully loaded, with me. You can get one for about $300, and it's the best $300 I ever spent:
Regards,
John |
Hiya,
What do you do when you want to photocopy or print pages from a book for your students?
I know what a Kindle is, seen advertisments here regarding it. |
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Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
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| Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:45 am Post subject: |
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If you want books buy them from Amazon.
Bring any favourite teaching materials you may want.
I'm sure when you get there you'll find a couple of things at least are unobtainable but we don't know what they are. |
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