Computers and the Internet

[IntlMed]

Hi, All, :)
Are University computers readily available 24/7 or are we REQUIRED to bring a laptop for Computer access?

How is the Internet Scene ? Does the island offer High speed Internet ? (If yes, is it really 'high-speed' :) )

Has anyone used Web cams or VOIP in the past to save long distance $$ ?

Thanks a bunch -- in advance,
International

[wolfvgang22]

Hi, All, :)
Are University computers readily available 24/7 or are we REQUIRED to bring a laptop for Computer access?
Bring a laptop, you'll need it in class to follow along with power point presentations, study notes without printing thousands of pages, and something large enough to store all the notes and power point presentations, and be able to have the ability to use software that you can get for free from other students.

How is the Internet Scene ? Does the island offer High speed Internet ? (If yes, is it really 'high-speed' :) )
Yes, they do, and no, it's not. It is about the speed of fast dial-up on a good day like today, and available only in the library. My #1 gripe about this school is the lack of high speed wireless on campus. (That and that it's so far from home...:lol:)

Has anyone used Web cams or VOIP in the past to save long distance $$ ?
I have heard that some students have using their own landline internet connection at their house off campus...but it is reportedly so slow that it is only done on occassion and chatting via MSN or AIM is better. VOIP works ok but has an echo or delay according to some. I just call home on my cell phone...it's really not that bad unless you talk on the phone A LOT. You can get cell phone calling cards for like 20 cents a minute.

Thanks a bunch -- in advance,
International
You're welcome :D

[IntlMed]

You're welcome :D

Thanks for the quick reply :) .
So from what I understand, we have to bring a laptop to SABA and connect it at the Campus location to surf the web and to download PPT's etc.. but as far as getting the laptop home to surf the web, the internet connection is really slow ?? Am I making the right assumption. ?
And how much do you pay for Internet connection at home ???
Thanks again :)

[plabon]

i heard the off campus connction is DSL and it is faster than the schools, internet connection. its not as fast as the DSL we have here at home. i a planning to ship down my desktop casue i cant type on laptop and dont like the small screeens, so i will be shipping my 17 inch monitor as well.

plabon

[wolfvgang22]

I think maybe I should clarify a little more...
You can't plug your laptop into anything here at the school. There is no internet access except in the library for students on the library computers. Bring a laptop, so you can follow along with notes and powerpoints in class. A few people do ok without a laptop, but it's easier with one for most people.
Getting internet off campus costs $500 for a deposit to get a phone line, and then like $80 a month for the internet and phone together. Half the people who have it swear it's faster than the library, the other half says it isn't any faster.
We do chat in class peer-peer by setting up an ad-hoc wireless network sometimes when we get bored or tired, but we're not on the internet in class.
That's my only real gripe about Saba, other than we are not in the USA; there is no wireles internet available to students, and no availablilty to plug in the laptops. Everything else is peachy, though. :wink:

[IntlMed]

Thank you so much wolfvgang22 .. this post did clarify the last bit of doubt that I had.. and gave me a clear picture of the Internet Scene.
$80 a month ????????????????? That seems so expensive and $500 for deposit is over the top .. . - Just my opinion.

International.

[plabon]

its hitting you under the belt i tells you. first of all no internet access except for library, then the high cost of off-campus internet, then the high cost of phone bills. how am i a poor student suppose to communicate back home? oh well, can some one please, please tell me how much does it cost to ship stuff back home? like how much per lbs?

thanks a bunch

[radboy710]

Dear plabon,

The school has looked into supplying wireless internet on campus, but they have several concerns. First they will need to set up a separate network for students, which they currently don't have. Secondly, they had connections for the students in the library but... some previous students (no longer here) attempted to hack into professors accts to get tests, why they need a separate server. The current IT guy has looked at getting it set up and has made a proposal to the school. Like all other things on the island it takes a while to develop, just like the new building which was to have been started last october has yet to break ground....

As for internet at home, well when you move off campus you will or should or may want to get a phone line, which requires a $500 deposit (again due to previous students escaping without paying their bills), but that is refunded once you close you acct. A local line is $14.45 a international line (which will allow you to dial int'l #s(anything outside Saba) is $27.75. For new internet service, there are two packages, most opt for premium withis 128K/64K which is $82.40 per month, and $150.00 installation fee (which is the cost for the modem). Then you can use the internet and call home for $0.07 to US or use callback number where it will be $0.29 which you would use you home phone (which is more reliable)

Hope this helps,
R

[IntlMed]

Hi, radboy710,

--A local line is $14.45 a international line (which will allow you to dial int'l #s(anything outside Saba) is $27.75--
Is the $27.75 in addition to the $14.45 ??

--Then you can use the internet and call home for $0.07 --
Can you explain this in a little more detail ??

--use callback number where it will be $0.29 --
29 cents will be charged to the American phone number correct ??

Thank You,
International.

[radboy710]

Hey IntlMed,

--A local line is $14.45 a international line (which will allow you to dial int'l #s(anything outside Saba) is $27.75--
Is the $27.75 in addition to the $14.45 ??

No $27.75 is not in addition, for a local line it is 14.45 and for a international line it is 27.75, these are two separate packages.

--Then you can use the internet and call home for $0.07 --
Can you explain this in a little more detail ??
--use callback number where it will be $0.29 --
29 cents will be charged to the American phone number correct ??

You can sign up for calling services such as skype or net2phone, I personally use skype, which will allow you to connect a a much lower cost then, but depending on the time of the day you may have a delay, usually during the times you will be home you will have a delay, this is where you next question comes in. You can buy a call back card/number. You dial your callback number, it will then search for an open line and once there is one it will call you back with the open line. You will be chared 0.29 to call Can, US prices I am not sure they are the same or slightly cheaper. But there are also student calling cards available online which you can sign up for and use.


R

[IntlMed]

Thanks so much for the info radboy710. That really helped. I had one more question though....It sounds like students end up spending a good deal of money on the home phone and with the Call Back services and VOIP services available, there seems to be no problem reaching home too.
Could someone tell me why students would still need cell phones, especially when the pricing seems to be so steep ???
Any comments ??

Thank You,
International

[radboy710]

IntlMed,

SOme people opt not to get home phones therefore they get cellphones. Others have both, they can be easily reached by cell phones. With cell incoming calls are free, so people will receive their calls on cellphones and not have to pay for the incoming calls. Cell phone will cost you $50 (chippie) and then you buy cards to use it, it is approx 0.30 - 0.40 to call the US with one. I have a local line (for local calling) and then use my cellphone to call home either directly or through the callback service.

R

[IntlMed]

Thanks a lot radboy .. Now, I know exactly how the phone scene works on the island.
Thank you,
International

[arfster]

i need some phone enlightenment as well, would my current sprint cell phone here in the states work in saba under their international plan, (if anyone knows) secondly...(and if no) you guys were saying u can actually purchase a cell phone and plan on saba then call w/a calling card to the states? also i wanna know a little more detail about the callback service (what exactly is it and what makes it better than just calling out regularly) can someone care to fill me in with the details please? thanks...i really dont wanna consider getting internet, i just want to know what my options are calling wise....i kinda got confused about some of the stuff intlmed and radboy were talkign about....thanks for anyones help...

[wolfvgang22]

Okay, there are only 2 cell phone companies on the island: UTS (aka: "chippie") and SaTel (which is also the regular phone company).
For UTS, which is less expensive, your phone has to be a GSM phone that has a simcard inside it (it can be replaced by UTS for use with their system).
To be safe I have been told that sprint tri-band GSM phones work well.

For Satel, they use the older TDMA phones. I don't know if you could bring a TDMA phone from the states to use here, but the phones are cheap compared to in the states: a cell phone only runs about $45 at either company. SaTel TDMA phones get reception everywhere on the island, UTS "chippie" phones only get good reception from windwardside to the bottom (half the island). If you live in hells gate, on the other side of Mt. Scenery, you have to get a land line or a SaTel cell phone for reliable reception.
The call back service you can get from ICS when you get here, it's like 29 cents a minute I think...I haven't used mine in a little while. One step at a time..
p.s. - while I am thinking about phones, let me say DO NOT USE THE BLUE PAY PHONES you see around the island. If you do, you will get charged like $500 for a 3 minute phone call. Think of them as shiny blue lures to catch unsuspecting fish..I mean fresh, students. Email home from the school library, which will be open, or buy a cell phone right away when you get here.
Good luck to all!

[swinginislanddoc]

its hitting you under the belt i tells you. first of all no internet access except for library, then the high cost of off-campus internet, then the high cost of phone bills. how am i a poor student suppose to communicate back home? oh well, can some one please, please tell me how much does it cost to ship stuff back home? like how much per lbs?

thanks a bunch

Just realizing this was never addressed.

I just shipped 4 boxes back home of various sizes. Let me just say that it costs a FORTUNE to ship stuff back. Each time you go home take some stuff back in your luggage. Seriously - especially books you probably won't need to use again until USMLE time. It was a serious ouchie to my wallet when I got that bill and you won't know what it is until it's already on the way.

And I actually sold a bunch of junk before I left the island. haha

[wolfvgang22]

Just realizing this was never addressed.

I just shipped 4 boxes back home of various sizes. Let me just say that it costs a FORTUNE to ship stuff back. Each time you go home take some stuff back in your luggage. Seriously - especially books you probably won't need to use again until USMLE time. It was a serious ouchie to my wallet when I got that bill and you won't know what it is until it's already on the way.

And I actually sold a bunch of junk before I left the island. haha
Hey, S-
Can you say exactly how much it cost to send a box back? Does Hassle shipping do it? I am thinking I will send like one or two large boxes back and try to sell everything else when that time comes.
Thanks