www.CostaRicaTicas.com

yes this is the same girl that the other thread is about. she hasn't asked me for any money and we talk on the phone everyday, and we email each other.

but i see that it is difficult for her to use the computer, so i was thinking i build something for her.

here's what im thinking:

a mini tower - $20
a mobo/processor combo - (1.67 Ghz, 333 FSB) $120
a cheapo vid card - $25
a cheapo 14 or 15 inch flat panel - $75 (possibly less)
a bare bones power supply - $20
cheapo dvd/cd reader - $45
add $50 for shipping

and I have, keyboard, mouse, and extra copy of XP that I can give her

so it's gonna cost me about $320. I don't that's too bad. Do you think i am being foolish? One reason why I want to do this is so that we can talk more often.


Thoughts?

She hasn't asked you for any money and you are gonna send her a New computer........Now that is a new one,are you alway's this generous?....stop thinking this is your girlfriend, and give the money($320) to a Few worthy causes like crt vip.tsunami relief,world hunger etc.......

1) I used to "build my own" about 10-15 years ago. Now-a-days you can buy a pre-configured starter computer, a refurb or even a computer built to your spec for about the same price, so why bother?

2) The real trick is not how cheaply you can build or buy a computer in the US. Its going to be getting your PC to CR without getting nailed with outrageous customs duties. You might be better off sneaking in a cheap laptop computer as a personal item and just leaving it behind with her.

3) For this to do any good at all, you'll also need to shell out for monthly internet access.

4) Having her own computer may save her some internet cafe time, but is unlikely to substitute for the phone calls. You'll save little if any money there unless you also outfit the PC for telephony with VOIP and possibly a webcam. Even then its hard to imagine how your international long distance expenses will be reduced if she's already having a hard enough time with simple e-mail.

5) Why go to such ridiculous expense for a chica that you a) don't know if she'll be able to use her new PC any better than whatever she is using now, b) don't know if she'll simply hock it when it turns out she doesn't use it c) don't know if you'll still be with her or interested in her by the time you make back your investment?

6) $320 + taxes, duties & RACSA buys an awful lot of internet cafe time, so it will be a long time before you break even on this investment.

7) Maybe she hasn't asked for any money yet, but if she's a working girl, and probably even if she isn't, you have to realize that time will come soon enough. You'll be forced to decide whether the time has come to dump her and if you do she'll still have your PC that you have not broken even on. You can bet she'll be using that PC to send out e-mail requests for money if not to you, probably to other gringos that are already further along in her fleecing process and definitely to the next gringo down the line.

I have given 2 different TICAs computers.

Both subsequently sold them when I did not come up with the
correct reply to "SEND MONEY".

I had similar results with a video camera, a digital camera, and a stereo.

That is 5 different TICAs that don't have the gifts I gave them.

My suggestion is don't bother.

Give her a prepaid gift certificate at a internet cafe.
You will be bucks ahead.

_________________
It is cheaper to pay now and get it over with.
It is also easier to get them to leave.

Texas & Vegas wrote:



Unfortunately as most of us learn the hard way this is the norm not the exception. Most any gift to a chica, with the possible exception of clothes, will soon be sold. They off course will tell you someone broke in a stole it.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

It took me a long time to figure this out.

Presents?
I now limit to clothes .......INEXPENSIVE ONLY!!

I can honestly say that I have never received any meaningful communications from a TICA.

And they don't check e-mail on a reliable basis, in my experience.

_________________
It is cheaper to pay now and get it over with.
It is also easier to get them to leave.

I'm planning on coming SJO in january 06 and need some info. Is the internet cable companys compatable to mac users??

Should I go wireless or get cable internet, should I bring my cable modem I have here at home with me?

Are there internet cafes there if all else fails? I want to use my computer for paying bills while im away!!

Thanks guys for your kind responce.

Dutch

Dutch,

You asked some really good questions and some that have already been covered extensively elsewhere. Since you're a newbie in the newbie section AND a fellow whorticulturist , I have to cut you some slack, however I do recommend you venture out of this section and look around as you should be able to find the answers to probably most of your own questions.

Here is a link to a recent thread right here in the newbie section by jenjad which covered the subject of internet cafes http://www.costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6942. Basically, yes there are plenty of them out there, they're dirt cheap and several of the most conveniently placed ones are indicated on my map. There are also free wireless networks in several of the downtown hotels and free public computers in the lobbies of several more. There is even free wireless internet at the airport when you arrive and a computer w/internet that is free to use for customers in the Zona Blue and one can call the US toll free from there using VOIP. Here is another good thread on laptops http://www.costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=47579 and internet access http://www.costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5944.

There are both pros and cons to bringing your own pc vs. using the internet cafes, but for most shortterm visitors, my recommendation would be to seriously consider leaving the laptop home since the internet cafe alternatives are both convenient and cheap. OTOH, if anyone does decide to bring their laptop, there are plenty of places to connect through wireless. However your situation is a little different. First of all, I happen to know you're planning an extended trip with an eye to eventual relocation to CR. Second, you mentioned you had a mac. Unfortunately, though I suspect it will work fine there, personally I can't say that with absolute certainty, not being a Mac person. I'm sure others can chime in with the correct facts on that very good question. Finally, bringing your own cable modem from home (even if it would work on RACSA's system, which AGAIN I'm not sure about) for a short visit is simply not practical and you can expect to have to wait a long time to have RACSA hook you up once you do move here.

send her a pocket rocket instead.. she'll use it more often

_________________
Eu gosto de brasileiras...

RHM you are telling the truth that's not a joke!!

I have to really echo what Ding Dong & T&V posted! I hate being too cynical but this is the time to be so! I gave an old computer to a Tica as she needed it in college (worthy cause I thought & my main reason) but I made sure they were actually going. It was to no avail & ended as expected. Know I bet she uses it to send out THE CHICA IN DISTRESS EMAILS to SEND MONEY but at least she isn't sending those to me. You give her that & it will be used in this manner I believe.

Also I have taken many PC's into CR without any taxes or duties. If customs believes it is for your use you should not have any problems.

Enjoy the fruits in CR but avoid the quagmire.

Zippy

PS This was the only Tica I ever helped like this in 20 yrs & I will never do it again but I am happy with myself that I tried once anyway.

Prolijo wrote:



That may be accurate in some areas, I really do not know one way or the other, but in the Central Valley it was not my experience.

After AMNET (cable provider) hooked up the modem my RACSA account was up and running two days later.

As always...YMMV

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Any recent Mac (iBook G4 running OS-X.3 or later, for example) should be virtually indistinguisable from a PC from a networking perspective. Should be "use Ethernet set to DHCP" and forget about it. Unless the ISP requires some kind of crappy software program that only works on PCs (instead of using universal standard protocols), there should be no problems. All of Apple's implementations are pretty standard these days, so any 802.11 B or G connections (depending on your Airport card) to local wireless should also work. Heck, you could probably "war chalk" the entire Gultch and find a few unsecured wireless spots, since most places don't even use basic password protection.

Gear is cheaper than the knowledge to use it properly.

Of course, there may be other reasons for an ISP to claim lack of support, which generally corresponds to their lack of competence...

Prolijo and Elninocat thank you very much.

I'm pretty sure I have a wirless internet card but I will check with the macoutfitters I purchaes it from. Wireless sounds the way to go into it all and internet cafe's as a backup. I would love to stay two months. Pay my bills and draw bucko's for fun at a international bank.

I should have done a search but didn't think anyone had a mac but me. I love my mac. We are few to have such a great computer.

Dutch

JAG,
A lot depends on your intended relationship with her, but virtually all "expensive" items disappear soon after receipt, either stolen by friends, family, robbers, taxi drivers, etc or pawned, in which case you are expected to buy it again. I even got the police report on one such incident, and believe me, it did not jive with the story I was told. The excuse for that was that the policeman did not listen and write details accurately, even though it was a sworn criminal affadavit. Surprise, surprise. Even more curious was when the smashed up no longer functional laptop showed up in the back of a closet and I was told the police caught the theif and returned the stolen goods. Another quick check with the local constabulary by my attorney put the screws to that lie. Downside number two is if you do give her a computer and desire internet access for email capability, you have to put in a land line through ICE and then a modem thru RACSA. Shortly there will be long distance phone bills in the hundreds of dollars which you will be expected to pay if you wish to continue communication. It will all be because her friends and family use the phone to call other countries without her knowledge or permission or that the internet is so expensive. Bullshit. However, if you do desire to have this kind of communication capability and really have some feelings for this girl, put eBlaster or a similar program on there before you deliver it to her. You will know her true feelings and fidelity quite quickly. It is worth the peace of mind if you are even remotely serious. The better course of action is to let her continue to use the internet cafes and possibly take your laptop down to train her on if you want to help her out while you are there.

Good luck,
Goetz

_________________
In heaven there is no beer, that's why we drink it here!

If you are realistic you have about a 1% chance of this turning out good! That is my prediction anyway. If you do this expect this result & do it more to feel good about yourself & don't have false expectations this way you will not be disappointed

Good luck,
Zippy