Hi,
I was wondering if there is anywhere in Bonaire that I'll have access to a CD-burner and a computer. I plan to be taking a TON of pictures with my digital camera, and if there was somewhere I could burn some of my pictures to a CD to free up memory cards, that would be great.

Also, is there high speed internet connections anywhere?

thanks,

Darryl

In answer to the second part of the question (about high-speed internet)... um... no. The bandwidth to the entire island is less than the typical cable modem user in the US gets.

I don't think you will find what you are looking for on Bonaire, unless someone is willing to let you use their personal pc at home.
As for speed, I doubt internet connections are any faster than 24.4 kbps (and that spells sloooow) and I am being very kind at that speed.

Darryl, I'll answer you here instead of the scuba board. I did not think about the FTP option, that would work, but the lack of bandwidth would probably kill you. Understand about the laptop, but most of the thiefs happen at the remote dive sites not from the rooms. Although I have heard of that happening. I've agonized about the resolution question alot (here's a Link), and decided the extra file size is not worth it. Tough problem, have you asked where you are staying? There was a thread many moons ago about the same thing and I don't remember the outcome. Your best bet may be a digital wallet, 3 gigaBytes for $200 from Minds at Work.

Hi Cecil,
I guess the one thing with my laptop is that is crucial to my job (I'm typing on it right now - not working very hard though). It just makes me nervous.

The digital wallet is something I haven't looked at in detail. I'll take a look into that.

I also found someone that mentioned that BlueDivers might do it, so thats a hope as well.

If you find any other solutions, let me know (my email is at scubaboard)

Thanks,

Darryl

Darryl, I mentioned the problem about loading the camera's drivers on the other board because when I initially loaded the Sony's drivers on my home computer, I screwed up all of my USB connections, which still do not work. That's something you do not want to happen on a stranger's computer. It will be very operating system dependant on how well your drivers will work. It seems like Windows 98 and Windows XP, work fairly well. Avoid Windows ME and USB will not work at all on Windows NT or Windows 2000 from my experence.

Another option on the laptop is have the front desk keep it when you're out of your room. A pain but better than losing it. This will also depend on how good the security is at the resort.

This problem seems to be fairly common and should be discussed on a board so all can benefit. I've got a trip coming up in April to the Keys and have the same problem.

Darryl,

When are you going to be down here, and where do you live? And, what sort of digital media do you use?

I might be able to help you, but it may cost you some of your luggage space ;-)

Jake

Hi Jake,
You've certainly peaked my curiousity. I live in Edmonton, AB, Canada. The media that I use is SmartMedia.

Let me know what you're thinking about.

Darryl

Well, we've got a SmartMedia reader here, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Hmmm, now I have to figure out what we would need from Alberta or Canada in general :-) - Is there any particular edible product Edmonton or Alberta is known for?

Jake

They have good syrup Jake! Yummy!

Well,
Alberta Beef is the best in the world. Don't think a cow would fit in the suitcase though, and I don't think customs would let a piece of cow over the border.

Lets see, we have lots of snow here, but don't think that would make it to Bonaire.

We have great hockey players, but I think I'd have a tough time getting one of them in a suitcase.

We do have good alchohal up here. We I was travelling the US, I found it tough to find a real beer - most of the stuff in the US is that weak, watered down junk. We also have great Canadian Whisky up here. Crown Royal whisky is great.

DarryL

Smartmedia Reader eh Jake? So what will you need in August from NYC?
Seb

When in August, Seb? :-)

Jake