The Chronicles
December 2011
Salutations dear readers and fellow Laurentian neighbors,
HO-HO-HAPPY HOLIDAYS one and all... and may this festive season bring you all much joy as you get together with loved ones, be they Family or Friends. Before I sign off for 2011, I would like to share one last thought (at this point) about Smart Phones. As you've surmised by now, I am a true partisan of this miraculous technology. However, for many of you reading me, there is one MAJOR drawback worth mentioning: Smart Phones should NOT be used when travelling to destinations located outside your allotted region. Let me explain in more detail...
Concerning the telephone side of your Smart Phone: it is obvious that the cost of making long distance calls is over and above what is offered in your monthly plan. Recently, some Suppliers (Rogers, Bell) have started offering special packages (passports) to those travelling within Canada and to continental USA. So, what are all of you world-travelling retirees to do? Firstly, you could have your phone "unlocked" and buy a SIM card upon arrival at destination; secondly, you could buy a phone on-site; or, lastly, you could use Roadpost (www.roadpost.com) or World Cellular Rental (www.worldcr.com), both companies offering to rent you a phone. Let's be honest, all these options are rather "complicated". But worry not!.. I have THE answer further below... read on...
Concerning the Internet side of your Smart Phone: it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY that you block ANY connection to your 3D (4D) supplier (Rogers, Bell, Videotron, Telus, Koodo etc... ) if you want to avoid the risk of a heart attack when receiving your bill upon your return. The fees can run as high as $3000.- (yes, three thousand dollars) for what one could consider a minimal use of the internet. Trust me, it has happened to a few of my unknowing clients (well, thankfully, not the heart attack part!). What you are left with, therefore, is access to WiFi in order to get/send your e-mails or to do some research on the local life (though it's worth mentioning that access to your contacts and calendar anywhere, anytime, is not affected by what is mentioned above). So, even though it is practical to have access to information at all times, I find that the Smart Phone looses its appeal as a purchase for frequent travellers, especially considering that on top of everything it has but a teeny-weeny screen.
What is one to do? A portable computer I hear you say. After all, they do sell 10 inch models. No, noooooo. Yuck! The screen's icons are too small to see anything and the Windows 7 Operating System provided within is the "basic" version which can be annoying for many reasons. Ever considered getting a Pad? Yes-Sireee! A PAD. The latest generation is GREAT and the technology is constantly improving. Now, I know many of you will be tempted to run over to a computer store and buy an iPad. However, I strongly recommend against this UNLESS you own a Macintosh. If you have a Microsoft computer, be it a desktop or portable (Windows XP, Vista or 7), my recommendation is to purchase a Pad with Google's Android Operating System (superior, I remind you, to the Blackberry by Research in Motion or Microsoft's Win7 Pad). And what fun you'll have with your new Pad!!!
At home, you will be able to be anywhere around the house (using your wireless network) and access ALL of your data. Meanwhile, your spouse will be able to use another computer at the same time without any problems! Also, you will be able to travel throughout Canada, the US and the rest of the world and have access to the Internet (and all of your personal data) via WiFi with a device that has a nice LARGE screen on which you can navigate with your fingers. And one last important point: you will be able to call Family and Friends via Skype just like a cell phone... WOW-WEE!!! Great Christmas gift idea for yourself or a loved one, don't you think?
May I take the opportunity of this last chronicle of the year to say a big THANK YOU to you all for your support throughout 2011. Your comments have warmed my heart more than once. To all of you who have invited me in your homes once, twice and some over 70 times, words cannot express how blessed I feel to share such precious moments with you. And thanks for all the laughs... May 2012 bring you all happiness, serenity and above all health.
Take good care of yourselves, see you next year for my 6th year in business (youpiiiiii)...
questions.monamilordi@gmail.com
This article originally appeared in Main Street – The Laurentians' English Language Community Newspaper.
