Job Discussion Forums

whhels22 · Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Posts: 13

Hi,
I've been working in Lithuania for a year now and have one thing that I could not live without. I've read some threads here about boredom lack of books etc.. and I'm sure many people already know this but I will mention it anyway. To anyone teaching abroad I suggest you purchase a PPC(pocket computer, palm pilot, handheld) before going abroad. I have a DELL AXIM (32MB 300mhz) which can be bought for around 100 dollars used, but any brand will do. Anyway this device has provided me hours and hours of entertainment. I will list some things you can do with a PPC now all of which require spending not one additional cent after the original purchase.
1. Games: free games can be found on the internet that are designed for the ppc.

2.Emulation: Make your PPC an arcade, you can play Nintendo, Super Ninentendo, Turbo Grafx 16, Atari, Commodore, Genesis, and Gameboy games. All of these can be found on the internet.

3.Newspapers and magazines: For example I read my hometown newspaper, USA Today, espn, health news digest, New york post, LA Times, Fox Sports, Sporting News.( there are thousands out there)

4.Books: I have tons and tons of books on my PPC which has Microsoft reader for free. Thousands and thousands of boks can be found for free on the Internet (and I mean good books).

This is not even to mention the regular things a PPC is used for, organizer, email, alarm clock, mp3 player, movie player, notes, word etc.

Remember all of this is free after the original purchase!!!!
All of this and it all weighs about 400 grams, in my opinion perfect for the teacher who moves around often. You also don't need to know much about PPCs or computers at all. Just thought I would share my thoughts.

Any questions let me know!

august03 · Joined: 13 Oct 2003 Posts: 159 Location: Jiangsu, China

What are the web links to the sites for books online?

whhels22 · Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Posts: 13

Hi there are free books at the following places.

1.(this website has links to tons of free books
http://www.e-book.com.au/freebooks.htm#4

these websites have free books
2.www.manybooks.net

3.go to google and type in (Guttenberg Project)

4.http://digitalbookindex.com/about.htm

5.(also links to free books)
http://members.rogers.com/mayoub/ebooks.html

Hope this helps
(of course these are not the newest books because of copyright laws, but there are still many great books at these sites)

Danny · Joined: 02 May 2004 Posts: 20

Sure, a pocket computer has many uses but it also has many limitations. There are a variety of games and software you can download off the internet for free however a lot of them are only trial versions. Free dictionaries are difficult to come by.

The disk space, especially on a second hand unit, is still quite small so you won't be able to save too much on your machine at one time. You can use it as an mp3 player or play movies or tv episodes, although you will have to pay to download most of it. Don't get anything less than 64 MB. I have one and can play music/anime for about an hour. Forget about a 16 MB device, it's practically useless. Sure you can purchase disks to use but these are expensive. I have heard you can put a movie on a 128 MB disk but these are about US$50 depending on where you are.

If you want to play music you are better off getting a seperate mp3 player or similar device. I already have a PPC and am considering getting an MP3 player instead of the disk. Better value for money. The unit itself is small and sleep but the 'cradle' you need to download off the internet is a little bulky. It all depends on the individual device.

If you don't have a computer it might be a bit of a hassle trying to set it all up at internet cafes. Been there, done that. Many internet cafes don't accept the CDs you will need to install each time.

Also, I not sure about the whole emulater part but the games generally available where made redundant twenty years ago.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoy my device. There are a lot of things it is useful for.
If you know of any good sites to download free stuff, especially movies, please let me know.
D.

Laura C · Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 211 Location: Saitama

Ok, you've convinced me and I'm putting that on my shopping list.

L

frijolita · Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 35 Location: Madrid

I am not much of tech wiz. Where can you find a used notebook computer? I was thinking of getting one before I leave but I don't want a brand new one. Too expensive.

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

for good deals on tech stuff in the states, check:

www.dealmac.com

they listed a few Apple laptops for $540..can't be beat

www.dealnews.com

list deals that are PC-centric..