software in bkk or pattaya?

[netrix]

anybody know where to get, ahem, "cheap" software
in bangkok or pattaya? i've been to KL a few times
and was (happily) surprised to find every possible
piece of software available for almost nothing. anyone
have knowledge of such a place in bkk or pattaya?

anybody know where to get, ahem, "cheap" software
in bangkok or pattaya? i've been to KL a few times
and was (happily) surprised to find every possible
piece of software available for almost nothing. anyone
have knowledge of such a place in bkk or pattaya?

Surely matters of such an illegal nature are not allowed to be discussed here.

DELETED

plantip (sp?) plaza bkk.

While we're at it, perhaps someone can recommend a place to score some heroin.

I usually drive across from Singapore to Johor Bahru to get any software I want. I went to Panthip Plaza in Bangkok with a friend recently. All he did was get in a taxi and say to the driver "Panthip Plaza" and we got there so I guess it's well known. The place has hardware and software and lots and lots of touts offering "sex video". If you ask the touts I'm sure they can find you some heroin too. But since you are in Singapore it's much easier to drive across the Causeway and get it in JB as well. I thought everyone in Singapore knew that!

Haha...Singapore has a reputation for being "clean", but I guarantee that you can find both pirated software and heroin here with ease.

Netrix, a lot of answers to your questions will be better answered at the web page run by a "straight" man who goes by the name of "Bangkok Bob".

His site is a veritable goldmine of information which he frequently updates, and the advice he offers isn't quite as neurotic as some offered by the more obsessive moralists on this board.

For your specific question here, you can go directly to this page and navigate to a wealth of additional information and tips about numerous things relating to Bangkok:

http://www.bangkokbob.net/pantip.htm

Have fun buying all that cheap software and put another nail in the coffin of the "control freaks" at the same time.

Have fun buying all that cheap software and put another nail in the coffin of the "control freaks" at the same time.

Let me guess...you don't make a living from producing anything original, do you?

[netrix]

helpful link. just what i was looking for. :)

Have fun buying all that cheap software and put another nail in the coffin of the "control freaks" at the same time.

Let me guess...you don't make a living from producing anything original, do you?

I use Ubuntu Linux and wouldn't think of paying one satang for Windows or Mac OS and applications which even at 100 Baht are way overpriced as far as I am concerned.

Copyright is rapidly becoming a quaint but archaic notion in the modern digital world. Copyright will go the way of the "mom and pop" stores you so despise.

Ta-ta

helpful link. just what i was looking for. :)

I'm only too happy to help. That site will get you oriented in BKK fast with his great descriptions, photos and maps. "Straights" are even fun to sleep with and I have picked up more than one horny "straight" boy on Soi Cowboy, all thanks to "Bangkok Bob".

[TrongpaiExpat]

All he did was get in a taxi and say to the driver "Panthip Plaza"

Taxis often refuse this location, traffic is very heavy on this street.

You can take BTS to station Ratchthewi, exit on the side of the new and ugly Manhattan Condos, walk to the corner, turn right and walk to Pantip Plaza. Motocy taxies from Ratchthewi are notorious for over charging as are the Motocy and tuk tuks parked on the curb at Pantip, your better off just walking, it's not that far.

MBK, easer to get to has some software on the 4th floor at the end opposite the Tokyo Store and all the cell phones.

At MRT/ Sirkit Convention Center has a computer fair weekends during the day. Just follow the crowd from the MRT. Low end stuff.

All he did was get in a taxi and say to the driver "Panthip Plaza"

Taxis often refuse this location, traffic is very heavy on this street.

You can take BTS to station Ratchthewi, exit on the side of the new and ugly Manhattan Condos, walk to the corner, turn right and walk to Pantip Plaza. Motocy taxies from Ratchthewi are notorious for over charging as are the Motocy and tuk tuks parked on the curb at Pantip, your better off just walking, it's not that far.

MBK, easer to get to has some software on the 4th floor at the end opposite the Tokyo Store and all the cell phones.

At MRT/ Sirkit Convention Center has a computer fair weekends during the day. Just follow the crowd from the MRT. Low end stuff.

All of this and more, in complete and up to date detail, floors you go to in each place, with photos and maps is contained on "Bangkok Bob's" site. The hell with temperamental taxis, motocy and tuk tuks! I always use the fast, cheap and efficient BTS and MRT.

Copyright is rapidly becoming a quaint but archaic notion in the modern digital world. Copyright will go the way of the "mom and pop" stores you so despise.



Just curious who will be publishing software, writing books, developing new medicines, and producing movies and music in your brave new world?

Copyright is rapidly becoming a quaint but archaic notion in the modern digital world. Copyright will go the way of the "mom and pop" stores you so despise.



Just curious who will be publishing software, writing books, developing new medicines, and producing movies and music in your brave new world?

Its you SS who are living in a "brave new world". Ubuntu Linux is open-source and free. Thousands work on it every day without financial compensation. Have you heard of Mozilla? Its the best browser and is free for all.

You are quite a nutcase, SS. I am not going to respond to any more of your asinine comments. If you are serious in even half of your statements then you are quite mad indeed.

Ta-ta dear!

Ah! Those open-source things are great, I agree! So no need to buy any software, and certainly no need to buy pirated software in Panthip Plaza. Problem solved: stick to open source.

[bkkguy]

I use Ubuntu Linux .....
Copyright is rapidly becoming a quaint but archaic notion in the modern digital world.


you obviously don't understand the concept of "open source" and the cathedral and the bazaar - the Linux kernel, the GNU utilities and all the software in the Ubuntu distribution are covered by copyright and very specific licenses which you should perhaps read up on before sprouting such rubbish!



Ubuntu Linux is open-source and free. Thousands work on it every day without financial compensation. Have you heard of Mozilla? Its the best browser and is free for all.


and what about all the people at Canonical Ltd (the distributors of Ubuntu in case you don't know), Red Hat, Sun, IBM etc who do get paid for developing "free" "open source" software? they certainly would not exist if there was no copyright or GPL or BSD or other licenses on the software they develop!

I think you need to learn a bit more about the "free" software world you are espousing!

bkkguy

I thought it might be interesting to note that the IDIOTS are at it again trying to invent schemes, and WHY I have no idea, but "SE Asia" is in the same zone as NA as to the upcoming BDs ...


Region codes

Regions for Blu-ray standard Region A Region B Region C

Blu-ray Discs may be encoded with a region code, intended to restrict the area of the world in which they can be played, similar in principle to the DVD region codes, although the used geographical regions differ. Blu-ray Disc players sold in a certain region may only play discs encoded for that region. The purpose of this system is to allow motion picture studios to control the various aspects of a release (including content, date, and, in particular, price) according to the region. Discs may also be produced without region coding, so they can be played on all devices.
Region code Area
A Americas; East and Southeast Asia.
B Africa, Europe, Oceania; Middle East; French territories; Greenland.
C Central and South Asia; Mongolia, Russia, and People's Republic of China.

Of course, I don't think region coding will get very far at all this time but if the intent is to control the market price UP I think Blu Rays are going to be held down in price pretty quickly. And that would be probably be GOOD for the market and artists as the market has greatly expanded with cheaper prices.

I suggets that the record companies are getting hit hard right now because the quality is shit. Save Madonna or Michael Jackson, pity, there just isn't anything very exciting out there now.

The software for these forums is free - but i digress.

[dave_tf-old]

They will be made by Socialist collectives, government and corporate sponsorship, kids with cam-phones, and MySpace addicts.

I wouldn't bother installing or using software that wasn't even worth 100 baht, nor want to spend the time watching a movie that wasn't even worth the cost of a rental. If it sucks that bad, do without.

[jvt22222]

If you have a halfway decent download speed, a very good way to get free (not CHEAP -- FREE) software is by downloading them through the TORRENT process .......... if you go to www.thepiratebay.org (http://www.thepiratebay.org) .......... click on TOP 100 .......... click on APPLICATIONS ............ then you will see the large variety of software that is available for down load ........... living in Pattaya, I have become addicted to downloading movies and US TV series ............ no reason one could not use this process for SOFTWARE/APPLICATIONS.

no reason one could not use this process for SOFTWARE/APPLICATIONS.

No reason, other than it is illegal. One must keep that in mind, make one's own decisions, and be prepared to accept the possible consequences.

I want to be sure no one misses this URL for explicit directions, including pictures, to all the venues in BKK that deal in pirate software. Great directions on that site on how to get around Bangkok also.

http://www.bangkokbob.net/pantip.htm

Netrix, as you may know, prostitution is also illegal in Thailand, but don't let that deter you. It doesn't stop any one else, nor should you give it a second thought.

Above all else, HAVE FUN!!!

jvt22222 thanks for the tip on www.thepiratebay.org (http://www.thepiratebay.org)

Usenet (Newsgroups) are yet another good source for pirate music, films, pornography and software and anything else your heart desires. All free! Some people call it the "original internet" as it was before the the commercial interests came in and tried to hog it all for themselves to make some easy money. I have been told also that in the history of usenet, there has never been a single legal problem. Pretty neat, huh?

Netrix, as you may know, prostitution is also illegal in Thailand, but don't let that deter you.

Only for the seller, not the buyer. Enjoy with clear conscience!

[sjaak327]

It always amazes me how people would consider buying software from places like Phantip Plaza. I mean, why pay for dowloaded copies, if you can do it yourself.

It's the same silly thing as paying for DVD's (at 100 baht a piece), surely if you want to have legal copies, you would buy them at the store, otherwise piratebay or similar torrents sites are the way to go.

It always amazes me how people would consider buying software from places like Phantip Plaza. I mean, why pay for dowloaded copies, if you can do it yourself.

It's the same silly thing as paying for DVD's (at 100 baht a piece), surely if you want to have legal copies, you would buy them at the store, otherwise piratebay or similar torrents sites are the way to go.

Agreed. If you have to, download rather than buy. At least that way you're not supporting the pay-offs these people have to pay to the cops and mafia to stay in business.

[bkkguy]

I wouldn't bother installing or using software that wasn't even worth 100 baht,

while I don't necessarily disagree, what something is "worth" and the "price" you pay for it are two different things - it is hard to say what a night of wild sex is "worth" but the "price" is discussed here often.

as Oogleman points out this forum software is available (legitimately) for free but I think it is definitely "worth" more than 100 Baht and worth more than some commercial software selling for much more than that and is far preferable to using a pirate copy of commercial software!

bkkguy

while I don't necessarily disagree, what something is "worth" and the "price" you pay for it are two different things - it is hard to say what a night of wild sex is "worth" but the "price" is discussed here often.



When the price of something is more than I feel it is worth, I simply don't buy it. I don't steal it and try to rationalize by saying that the asking price was unfair. That argument simply does not stand, especially for an item that is a luxury rather than necessity.

That's just me, though. I know better than to expect everyone to agree...otherwise there would be no thefts or robberies anywhere, right?

Fortune Town in Bangkok also has rich pickings of both hardware and software. It is easy to reach by the subway that stops right in front at Rama 9 station. But why buy software when you can get free or open source versions of virtually everything? I haven't had the need for "payware" in ages.

Here are two sources of freeware and open source stuff that can replace all kinds of expensive payware.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_46 ... lities.htm (http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_46_free_utilities.htm).
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/ ... r-windows/ (http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/01/30-essential-pieces-of-free-and-open-software-for-windows/)

I have been told also that in the history of usenet, there has never been a single legal problem. Pretty neat, huh?

You've been told rubbish. If you'd been hanging out in the .soc.thai group in the nineties you'd have witnessed a defamation saga. That turned into a problem that cost the ISP quite a lot.

There is no free lunch. Those ex-hippies who think that open-source is anything other than a try-out space for budding entrepreneurs are sadly disillusioned and condemn themselves to second-class lifes in a sea of second class artifacts. If you want quality, reliability, and some protection from infection, you won't find it at Pantip, fortune or on a bit torrent.

If you want quality, reliability, and some protection from infection, you won't find it at Pantip, fortune or on a bit torrent.

you can get AVG/Spybot etc all for free online - they are quality.

Also can get Nortons from utorrent or pantip.

Not having a dig at you but the whole quality thing is laughable. Anyone with a bot of common sense know where their calvin klein/armani/gucci/nike etc are made - all in asia.

[ceejay]

Also can get Nortons from utorrent or pantip.

I can get Norton for "free" (as part of the package I pay for from my ISP). I have just uninstalled it from both my computers because it is such a pile of s**t.

Just because they charge for it, it don't make it good.

Sometimes the suggestions you get here!

Shareware/freeware ok but potential software downloaders from pirate and torrent and winmx sites/ and bootleg CDs stores BEWARE! Make sure all your virus scanners, spyware scanners, worm stoppers, web filtering, firewall settings, identity and spam protection software is correctly working and definitions completely updated BEFORE ever attempting to run softawre from suspicious sources. My Singapore friend tried to fix his buggy system by getting a W operating system upgrade from that plaza in Singapore (who's name escapes me, was it "Lucky") and he ended up having to completely reformat his hard drive and load a system not recognized by his operating system for updates. He lost ALL data. All his movies, pictures, letters, ... GONE! Once I bit the bullet for what looked like the "latest version" on WinMX and I learned rather quickly (err, a few DAYs actually) how to set up and run antivirus software on my PC from over a network, cause that was the only way I could get rid it. Sawatdeeans are warned to be VERY careful when taking suggestions about which "ware-ez" sites to be downloading software from.

[ceejay]

ArNoLd speaks truth - all would be well advised to listen to him.

Perhaps Netrix would like to tell us which softwares he is looking for - there are some very useable freewares out there for some applications - perhaps we could make some constructive suggestions that will neither break the bank nor kill his system for him?

Not having a dig at you but the whole quality thing is laughable.

You misunderstand my post. I am more aware than most that quality software is available from Asia, purely because of labour arbitrage. But I'm not talking about cracked junk in Pantip, rather the emergent global companies out of Bangalore.

Most consumer freeware such as AVG is not the full product and is actually a foot in the door strategy. The same is true for most Open Source code. At the end of the day, in a capitalist society, if nobody pays, eventually nobody produces.

[Lunchtime O'Booze]

Pantip Plaza is the place to buy any ripped off computer program but one must weight up the fact that the originators do spend a tidy fortune investing in developing the stuff in the first place and deserve a return..but still attempt to hold onto that rights long after their due date.


Buy your rip-off Gucci handbags at will..the genuine manufacturers pay poverty wages as well for their genuine brands so stuff em.

As for fake music CD'S..you have a duty to help boot along large music corporations to oblivion and the sooner the better. These rapacious monoliths made up of talentless dunderheads and bean counters have made the lives of artists a misery ands given nothing to the art except rip-off music lovers for billions of dollars years and hold back talented musicians.

Remember..for every music-ex who turned down the Beatles and said "they'll go no-where" there is a 1000 similar stories...they deserve bankruptcy ASAP and it's on the way and that's why they are fighting tooth and nail...they hate the fact that kids will be able to deal direct with their band via the net...so buy as many fake Cd's as possible.

Movie DVDs..IT' COST A FORTUNE TO MAKE A FILM AND A LOT OF TALENT..DO THE RIGHT THING.

At the end of the day, in a capitalist society, if nobody pays, eventually nobody produces.Something for those Open Office wallahs to bear in mind! I run my office computers on Linux (free), Open Office (free), Firefox (free) and Thunderbird (for email - also free)