Confirming the Magic Jack theory

This is a conversation I had with MagicJack customer service.  It confirms that the MJ can be used to call back to the united states for free without minute by minute or connecting fees.  I also asked if there would be a possibility for a group discount for a small number of college students traveling internationally.  There was nothing this agent wanted to do for me, however he did "say" he was going to pass it along to a "higher up" agent.  We'll see if anything happens.

Dan: Hello, how may I help you?

J: Can I use the MJ from an international location to call the US for free / unlimited?

Dan: Hi, you can call the US using MJ for free

J: I'll be traveling to China for a few months, and I wanted to confirm that its true before I buy one.

Dan: yes you can use it there and call free back in the US, the call is not unlimited but it is free
J: What is the limit?

Dan: there is no particular time frame on the call limit but when you get disconnected you just have to dial and call the same number again to reconnect

J: I also assume that folks in the US can dial my MJ phone number and reach me in China for free as well. Please also confirm this.

Dan: yes they can call you free from the US to China through MJ if you are both in the same local area

Dan: but you can call any number or any state in the US free

J: Right, assuming it's a local call and all that jazz.

Dan: yes it would be free; basically the same system when you call within the US since MJ has US number

JBiber

Ps - I have comments enabled.  If you are reading this and going on the trip with me or have something to add, please say something!  It's like I'm writing to Santa, I never hear anything back. :D

Studying from Far Away

Part of my schooling in China will be taking a Purdue course over the internet.  There will be a course video posted after each lecture for all of us in China to view on our own time (Update: this may or may not be true; I recently learned that there may actually be a scheduled time slot to watch the lectures as a group).  We will be assigned homework concurrently with the students at Purdue.  The main difference is clearly we won't be able to be in the classroom at anytime to physically turn in homework or ask questions.

Both of these issues have been solved.  For being able to ask questions, there is a class blog, much like the one you're reading right now.  Homework problems are posted on the blog and students are welcome to visit and ask questions in the comments.  The questions asked are then answered on the blog by other students.  I have been part of a learning experience like this in one of my other mechanical engineering classes.  The system works fairly well and the response times were short, at least while we were all in the same time zone.
In order to turn in homework efficiently we will be using a livescribe pen. On that website there are some cuties demos on how it works.  Basically it'll create a PDF that we'll email to the professor, he'll grade, and then send back responses using his tablet pc.  Excellent use of a tablet.

JBiber

Communicating Back to Home

I have been thinking about ways to talk to all of you while I'll be over in China.  There are clearly many ways that will work and a few surprising things that won't work.  First, let me tell you what won't work.

Notable things that won't work while I'm in China: (why)
-blogspot, but not blogger.. this means I may or may not be able to get to this blog to update it while in China.  I hope that I will be able to update this blog while I'm in China.  I would like to post pictures on the blog since other things won't work.
-facebook
-twitter (maybe)
-new york times
-youtube

Ways I'll try to communicate:
Phone
   Everything that I've read indicates that if I buy a magicjack i'll be able to place calls and receive calls from America at no charge.  So my plan is to make sure I take one of these over there, I am pretty sure that it'll work, but if it doesn't there are more options.
   Skype, many people have skype installed on their computer but they don't hardly ever use it.  I am one of those people, once I'm over there though, it is my secondary communication channel to getting in touch with people over in the states.
   I will have access to my email, Purdue email for sure -- hopefully my gmail account too (despite it being on the blocked list, it may be unlocked).  That should be one easy way to get in touch with me.
   I will also have a Chinese cellphone, clearly -- this is the last contact option because it would cost so much.

In a perfect situation, this is what will happen.  I have a Google voice account.  That Google voice account has a local number.  Anyone in the states will be able to call that number and reach my magicjack which will be located in my room and hopefully on all the time.  The special reason for using Google Voice I might be able to also forward text messages to my Chinese cellphone.  Essentially, when you call my phone number, it'll ring my magicjack and simultaneously ring my Chinese cellphone.  I'm not quit sure that  google voice will be able to forward calls to my Chinese cellphone, but if it doesn't, the whole idea still kind of works.

If you call my phone number, you should be able to leave a voice mail.  I'll be able to check my voice mails from an internet browser.  In the same browser I'll also be able to see all the text messages sent.  I am also able to reply.  I have been testing this system with a few people at this point and it seems to work fairly well.

In summary, I hope that I'll be able to blog about my experinece and share many pictures of the adventures in China.  In order to communicate with people back in the states, I'm hoping for a simple phone number solution so people can call.  As a backup - I'll have a skype account.  That being said, Shanghai is in the +8 time zone.  So from the east coast (-5) theres a 13 hr time difference.  The best times to communicate will be mornings or evenings.

Thanks for reading,
JBiber

Interesting Newsweek Article

Newsweek article

Doesn't require much explaining.
JBiber

Science & Engineering Education

I was reading Gizmodo, as usual.  They have written an article on this video.  I can't say I agree with everything the government does, in any country -- but I declare that should the talking points in this speech become true, it would be a move in the right direction undoubtedly.

China: It's coming...

An article at gizmodo.com (link) shows an example of how different Shanghai is from Indiana.  Recently, I watched a Discovery video on Shanghai.  It was an interesting 45 minutes that highlight some of the things that don't match US culture.  The video was the last part of a four part series "Paul Merton In China."  It starts by highlighting the how Shanghai is really the leading capitalistic city.  It isn't that the socialism doesn't exist there, just that the culture is part of the fast paced world.  He likened it to the way New York City is always moving, vibrant city.  Continuing - A vibrant city famed for it's progressive thinking, independent women, and hedonistic lifestyle.

The video covers many experiences, night life, going out to eat, having a suit tailored, and visits many of the places china wants you to see.  There was also an example in the video of Paul traveling down the river to a trash dump.  There were citizens that (illegally) setup a small community.  They rummage through the garbage and find things that can be sold for money.  Eventually his camera man was spotted and was told to stop filming or face consequences.  These rummagers can make up to three times a taxi cab driver's daily pay, but the lifestyle is quite limiting.  There is no doubt that China has many different faces, it will be interesting to experience first hand.  It is very encouraging that Shanghai is leading the way on the emerging capitalistic way of life.  While there is some movement towards capitalism, there is still a very strong cultural standard that is encouraged by the Chinese government, such as the regulation of video games.

I need to watch the video again to complete my summary and will continue this at a later date.

Another video that I saw recently on the PBS website showcased the world's largest mall, recently built in China.  It's an interesting watch, part 3 of the Utopia series.  The mall was built.  It is larger than the Mall of America.  It is also nearly completely empty.  Only a few shops and very few people.  Definitely worth watching.

It will be an interesting place to visit.
JBiber

China: Go There

Just finished up with my two exams today. I am happy to be done with exams until after thanksgiving. It will be a sorely welcomed 1.5 weeks of no evening exams. Today, I was told the flight number I'll be riding over to China on. The route is by Asiana Airlines. It appears to be operated by US Airways. Today, it was flown in a 777. If I get to go one a 777, that'd be cool. I haven't ever gotten to ride on one that I can think of.

http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightStatus/flightStatusByFlight.do?id=176175134&utm_source=airlineInformationAndStatus&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=co-op

Jbiber

Preparing for China

Things are about to kick into high gear around here. I'm getting ready to go to China. I've paid my deposits and all systems are a go.

I am having plenty of trouble studying because of my growing interest for going overseas. I will soon start sharing my ideas here on the blog hopefully readers will be able to contribute good ideas for things to take and some problems I think I'll be facing.

All input is welcomed!

JBiber