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Channi

Apr 23, 2011, 8:30 AM

Post #1 of 22 (4162 views)

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Technology for expats

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Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone would recommend a couple of tech items for those moving to Mexico from the US?

Specifically the hand held translator- English to Spanish; reasonable cost for 2 languages- Walmart, Radio Shack
have these for less than $50 USD. Could be very useful for those with minimal Spanish speaking skills. Comment?

Also, there are various GPS products that could be mui helpful for traveling around in a new area of Mexico- what do you think? Thanks for your input, Channi.

chinagringo

Apr 23, 2011, 8:43 AM

Post #2 of 22 (4142 views)

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Re: [Channi] Technology for expats

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Channi:
Cannot comment on translators but here is a GPS report I wrote some time back:

http://www.mexconnect.com/...h_string=gps;#132035
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

stevebrtx

Apr 23, 2011, 10:23 AM

Post #3 of 22 (4116 views)

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Re: [Channi] Technology for expats

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I purchased a Franklin BES-1850 that I paid around $100, I didn't find it useful, after carrying it in the car for 3 years, I put it on the shelf, if you want it, contact me when you get here, it's yours. However, as noted, a GPS can be very useful and I have it in the car most of the time.
www.chapalaweather.net

chinagringo

Apr 23, 2011, 10:34 AM

Post #4 of 22 (4111 views)

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Re: [Channi] Technology for expats

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If you own an iPhone or another Android based smartphone, there are translator apps available. See below:
http://www.blameitonthevoices.com/...-app-world-lens.html
http://singularityhub.com/...-come-to-life-video/
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

Rolly

Apr 23, 2011, 10:44 AM

Post #5 of 22 (4108 views)

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Re: [Channi] Technology for expats

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I had one of those Franklin things. I found it so useless that I tossed it in the trash.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

stevebrtx

Apr 23, 2011, 12:00 PM

Post #6 of 22 (4080 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Technology for expats

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I've turned over a new leaf, I'm thought I'd try civil for a change and so was being generous with my comment. And, I never throw anything out, I have a Vic20 and MacSE etc. in storage? - don't ask why, I don't know. But, if I give it to someone else and they throw it in the trash, I wouldn't feel bad.
www.chapalaweather.net

sparks

Apr 23, 2011, 2:35 PM

Post #7 of 22 (4042 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Technology for expats

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I gave my electronic translator to the Spanish school in Patzcuaro. They thought it was fun. School is probably the best idea to start.

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

tonynico

Apr 23, 2011, 5:59 PM

Post #8 of 22 (4001 views)

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Re: [stevebrtx] Technology for expats

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That was your trash I got that out of. After using it for an hour I decided to give it back but you brought your trash container back in.
How can I return it?

Tony

tashby

Apr 23, 2011, 6:22 PM

Post #9 of 22 (3990 views)

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Re: [Channi] Technology for expats

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I have a friend whose Spanish is becoming very, very good. She has one of those handheld translator things. Personally, I don't like gadgets, but she gets a lot of use out of hers. (That said, she's doing a LOT more to learn Spanish than just walking around with a translator. Classes, self-study, immersion, etc. The gadget is just her mobile diccionario.) I imagine they might be useful if you're really devoted to learning. Key word: devoted. Everybody needs to find their own style of learning. There's no magic pill.

(This post was edited by tashby on Apr 23, 2011, 6:24 PM)

Anonimo

Apr 24, 2011, 3:27 AM

Post #10 of 22 (3939 views)

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Re: [Channi] Technology for expats

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My opinion is that such a translator would get in the way of improving your Spanish converstional skills. The best way, IMO, of learning Spanish, is try not to translate. Just learn the words/phrases without translating them back to English. Sounds strange, I know, but it works.

In another application, it might be useful to use when you need to look up a word when reading or writing Spanish.

Saludos,
Anonimo

mevale

Apr 24, 2011, 1:14 PM

Post #11 of 22 (3863 views)

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Re: [Channi] Technology for expats

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Bring a Kindle. If you're going to live here and like to read, then I can't recommend the Kindle highly enough. Best thing I ever bought for $139. You can load a Spanish-English dictionary and presto, now you have a reader and a translator. Also, if you read books in Spanish, when you highlight a questionable word, you get an instant translation from the dictionary.

(This post was edited by mevale on Apr 24, 2011, 1:17 PM)

chinagringo

Apr 24, 2011, 1:57 PM

Post #12 of 22 (3853 views)

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Re: [mevale] Technology for expats

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As owners of a Kindle, we would agree totally. I did read this past week where Amazon/KIndle will be able to download books from libraries at some point latter in the year. Since this has been one of the past criticisms of Kindle, it should be a positive addition.
http://content.usatoday.com/...g-for-kindle-books/1
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

richmx2

Apr 24, 2011, 3:37 PM

Post #13 of 22 (3834 views)

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Re: [Channi] Technology for expats

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The technical device that helped the most with my Spanish was called a television. They've been on the market for a number of years, are generally reliable, and often have entertaining (and sometimes) informative Spanish-language material. The only drawback to learning Spanish from telenovelas is that I come across as a drama queen :-)

http://mexfiles.net
http://voiceofmexico.com
http://editorialmazatlan.com

stevebrtx

Apr 24, 2011, 6:29 PM

Post #14 of 22 (3791 views)

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Re: [tonynico] Technology for expats

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Sorry, no returns, no refunds, trash is trash, even if it cost $100.
www.chapalaweather.net

mexipat

Apr 25, 2011, 5:23 PM

Post #15 of 22 (3682 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Technology for expats

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I wouldn't get a Kindle if I wanted to live in Mexico. A Nook is a better deal (or an Ipad) as both will let you download books from your local US or Canada library. Most libraries are increasing their ebooks every month and the downloads are free as long as you are a library member.

It's easy to do. Just download Overdrive for your device (or go to Overdrive.com) and then look up your library on their directory

salto_jorge

Apr 25, 2011, 5:46 PM

Post #16 of 22 (3678 views)

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Re: [Channi] Technology for expats

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NetBook, you can download software for it.
Flat Screen monitor, keyboard and mouse for the NetBook, plus extra power supply and UPS.

Self Defense unit (stun gun), Solar panels and gelcel batteries.

I know many folks that either love or hate their GPS units that pronounce most of the street names so poorly that you cannot determine what they are saying.

chinagringo

Apr 25, 2011, 5:52 PM

Post #17 of 22 (3671 views)

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Re: [mexipat] Technology for expats

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We all are welcome to our own personal preferences and I believe that I addressed the library issue in my post. Sure it is a current limitation, but they are in the process of working that out. Meanwhile, with respect to the Nook, I would be quite concerned about the longevity of Barnes & Noble. When I see the Nook being dumped at Kmart like I did in a sale flyer this weekend, it makes me wonder. Borders just filed for bankruptcy and B & N may be on the brink. As far as the iPad goes, either you are a fan of Apple or not. You might wish to read up about the very big stink in Europe and the one that is just getting started in the US over their tracking and possible invasion of privacy issues.

To my way of thinking Amazon is very committed to the Kindle and I don't think I would be uncomfortable with Sony continuing with their reader.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

chinagringo

Apr 25, 2011, 5:59 PM

Post #18 of 22 (3670 views)

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Re: [salto_jorge] Technology for expats

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"I know many folks that either love or hate their GPS units that pronounce most of the street names so poorly that you cannot determine what they are saying."

I have a Garmin GPS and if you have the American, English or Australian voices turned on it can be quite humorous. However, if we switch to Carlos, the pronunciation comes out virtually perfect. Personally, my preference is to turn off the "voices" when driving in heavy city traffic whether I am NOB or SOB. A simple glance over at the screen tells me what I need to know.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

mevale

Apr 25, 2011, 6:04 PM

Post #19 of 22 (3669 views)

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Re: [mexipat] Technology for expats

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In Reply To

I have to disagree with part of the above statement. If you're the type of person who reads for hours at a time, DO NOT purchase an Ipad as a reading device. Back-lit LCD screens are horrible for extended reading. Google "eyestrain & Ipad" and you can read the studies. The Ipad is a great device for a lot of things, but extended reading just isn't one of them.

I can't comment on the Nook as I have never used one. But I would stay away from the Color Nook for the reasons stated above regarding the Ipad. Both have backlit LCD screens.

Regarding Kindle and e-books. There is a free program you can download call "Calibre" that converts an e-book to Kindle format in about 20 seconds.

mexipat

Apr 26, 2011, 5:24 PM

Post #20 of 22 (3581 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Technology for expats

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I'm kind of a geek and very familiar with the Apple tracking issue and not at all concerned about it. I'm also not a big Apple fan but my Ipad is the best piece of technology I've ever owned. I agree it's not for eveybody, though.

I didn't realize Kindle was going to have the library app. That does make it a lot more attractive.

chinagringo

Apr 26, 2011, 6:29 PM

Post #21 of 22 (3560 views)

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Re: [mexipat] Technology for expats

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While I downloaded the Kindle app for PC quite some time back, I don't have time to be a real serious reader. Most of what I have downloaded to my PC have been cookbooks and I quite enjoy these versus looking through all of our regular cookbooks for a recipe. On the other hand, Kathy is a prolific reader and we have piles/stacks of hardcovers and paperbacks to prove it. It is always a challenge come Christmas or her birthday to come up with neat gifts. I bought her a Kindle for Christmas after extensive research into the various options with some apprehension. Since she was so familiar with holding a book, I really wondered if she would like this electronic device. Well surprise, surprise - she feels that it is probably one of the best gifts ever received! To me, that says it all.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

jrpierce

Apr 27, 2011, 10:00 AM

Post #22 of 22 (3510 views)

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Re: [Channi] Technology for expats

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Picking up on other comments here, these would be my recommendations:

1. Garmin GPS. Buy the Bicimapas maps for Mexico, made by a Mexican firm, and fully compatible with Garmin. The coverage is much greater than any maps offered by Garmin. Of course, you could also purchase Garmin's maps for Mexico and then you would have the best of both worlds. As for the voice prompts, I generally leave them turned off.
2. I agree with the comments about the hand-held translators being generally worthless. However, I have found carrying a Spanish-English dictionary on my smart phone to be invaluable at times. The Oxford Spanish-English dictionary is available for a variety of platforms and I have found it to be excellent--especially as it often has Mexican Spanish variants on "classic" Spanish.
3. My wife is a voracious reader and loves her Kindle. Their wi-fi system for downloading books works seamlessly in Mexico (at least their newer versions--some earlier ones didn't allow downloading here). We have no personal experience with using back-lit screens for reading books, but have read many comments about it being much harder on the eyes. The Kindle screen is crystal clear, and with the ability to increase font sizes, is ideal for aging readers.

Jim