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

__________________
"The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye. That may be beyond us but so long as there are tears and suffering, so long our work will not be over" - Jawaharlal Nehru

You're welcome

__________________
Saba Forum Moderator
Saba University School of Medicine, MSIV
Interests: Pediatrics, Psychiatry

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

__________________
"The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye. That may be beyond us but so long as there are tears and suffering, so long our work will not be over" - Jawaharlal Nehru

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

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.

__________________
Saba Forum Moderator
Saba University School of Medicine, MSIV
Interests: Pediatrics, Psychiatry

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.

__________________
"The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye. That may be beyond us but so long as there are tears and suffering, so long our work will not be over" - Jawaharlal Nehru

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

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

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.

__________________
"The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye. That may be beyond us but so long as there are tears and suffering, so long our work will not be over" - Jawaharlal Nehru

Hey IntlMed,

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.

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