SAPO frustrations

It costs money, but it is always better to get a portuguese speaking local tech to check out initial sapo installations and that your pc is configured properly.

PT engineers are only trained to install lines and equipment...not to make sure computers are correctly connected to the router or diagnose computer problems.

The call center folk at the SAPO help centre run through standard computer generated fault check lists and do not have the flexibility to diagnose problems specific router/computer installations.

I have come across this many times here. I have been called to clients have been sold SAPO accounts/routers. Installation is supposed to be self-explanatory. However, they try to install it and often find they can't or there is a problem. They get onto to the SAPO helpline and more often than not end up in similiar posiitons to those refer to in this thread. The latest incident occured last week, and althogh the client had some computer knowledge and had spent 3 hours on the phone to Sapo, as well having had a PT tech come to check the line, it took a visit from me and 45 minutes slog to find out that a single misplaced number in a not-obvious page of the control panel of the router, was the origin of the problem. Since then no hassle but SAPO were worse than useless.

It is not only estrangeiros who have this problem. I know of many Portuguese folk who have had the same frustrations.

Download Dangers

As with all threats to Linux and Apple base system this threat does require the user to authorise its installation...unlike in older Windows systems.

The real problem here is that some wise guy managed to hide a bit of malware in a screensaver supposedly designed for Ubuntu and posted it on a respected Ubuntu Linux site, alhtough not one officially recognised by Ubuntu.

The moral of the story is that whether you operate Windoze, Apple or Linux, try to make sure what one is downloading and try to download it from an official site.

For example, for a basic Windoze system these day, I only install updates from microsoft.com, adobe flash and reader from adobe.com, anti-virus from a reputable anti-virus company, and if a office package is required, Openoffice from openoffice.org.

I refuse to install anything from sites that are not reputable and authorised.

If you are not sure about any bit of software you are about to download ask in a tech forum first.
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English or Foreign Language Desktop/Laptops in Portugal

I would concur...If you want to buy a laptop in English, buy outside Portugal, unless you buy an Apple as you can select the language you want on initial start up. (I did this last year for a client who bought one here at FNAC Guia.)

If you want desktop machine installed with Windows in english, http://www.chipsite.pt in Lisbon and Lagos have some very competitive offers with 2 year guarantees.I have used them for years.

Apple support in Portugal

Apple Portugal website shows the following authorised Apple agents close by you:

Telstar Informática, Lda.
Praça 25 de Abril, 47 2500-110, Caldas da Rainha
Página de Internet: não disponível
Correio electrónico: mail.telstar@gmail.com
Telefone: +351-262 823 248
Fax: +351-262 832 408

The following link gives you the list of authorised Apple support centres in Portugal:

http://www.apple.com/pt/support/contact/

buying Toshiba laptop before we go to Portugal

Make sure you get a Toshiba world wide guarantee certificate when purchasing the machine.

Link to Toshiba Portugal national PC/Laptop support center is here:

http://bit.ly/5tuRgt

The issue about local computer men referred to above is also important. Often we have a lot more experience with day to day trials and tribulations of computer users in the field, than manufacturers' national service support centres.

Make sure that you bring a laptop cooler with you as in summer conditions here can cause laptops to run hot.

Finally, why are you giving up on Macs? Given the fact that there are practically no problems with viruses on Macs, moving from Macs you are used to a Windoze machine is difficult for me to fathom.

Linux Malware

Infiltration of Linux boxes by malware is not impossible.....does need user participation however....

See:

http://bit.ly/linux_malware

Browsers

Firefox, Opera, Google Chrome all install on your PC alongside Internet Explorer so that one can have multiple browsers operating on a single PC.

Opera - www.opera.com/
Google Chrome - www.google.com/chrome
Firefox - UK version here - www.mozilla-europe.org/en/firefox/

You will have to select one as your default browser. You should be able to import your favorites from one browser to another. Forefox has lots of add-ons but be aware it can slow down loading.

Rural Broadband Coverage in Portugal

The real problem is not with national coverage of ADSL/3G, the problem is with broken terrain and loss of line of site. ADSL signals are only generally good for 4 to 5km from the nearest equipped sub-exchange. In the Vila de Bispo area, this means Vila de Bispo / Raposeira. As phone lines do not always run as "the fly crows", there can be situations where a property may be phyiscally closer than 5km to the sub-exchange but because the line runs around the houses the phone line longer.

As regards 3G, the problem is that there has to be an unbroken line of sight for the signal to follow between the dongle and the 3G Mobile mast. This has become a major problem for many people living in the country. I have friends near Bensafrim who bought a house in a valley. I ran 3G tests there. At the top of a 30m rise behind their house there was a good 3G signal but further down in the house none.

One possibility is to mount the 3g unit on one's property where there is a good signal, order a 3G booster antenna, and then run a wireless/or wired lan network signal to the computer.

The moral of the story is that if you are going to buy a house in Portugal and require Internet, check the net availability yet.

Western Algarve - Computer Shops

Try Beep Informatica in Ayamonte at C/ Cristóbal Colón, 39
tel: 00 34 959 320 379

They currently have psu's available from € 27.50. according to their website.

See: http://bit.ly/7addAM

Chipsite offer them from € 19.90
http://www.chipsite.pt/list.php?fm=90

P.S:

Just remembered there's a new Radio Popular opened in Faro. They should also be able to help. They have PSU starting from € 26.90 on their online shop.

Faro Shopping
Estrada Nacional 125
KM 103
8005 - 145 Faro

Tel: 289 880 220
Fax: 289 878 525

Broadband - Vale de Telha

Make sure first what providers can serve you in Vale de Telha.

Methinks that in VDT, as far as I know, PT are the only provider of telecomms access over landline copper wires and that you will be tied to SAPO. Various other providers may offer you services over the PT wires but check the small print clearly as I doubt they would be cheaper than SAPO. I do not think there are cable services in VDT at present.

In certain parts of Lagos, for example, Vodafone offer services over their own copper wires and ZON/Cabovisao offer phone/internet/tv over their own cable networks.

Your only other broadband access option if the signal is good would be by3G over dongle and that will generally on average be more expensive.