2021-02-15 Digest
From: joel@joelandstephanies.com ------------------------------------------------------ I lived in China one semester during university, and I totally agree with C= had regarding the food=2E It was really good=2E Not anything like 'Chinese'= food one typically finds in the US=2E However, you can find authentic Chinese food stateside if you know where t= o look=2E Closest I found to Chattanooga was a Chinese food court in Atlant= a just southeast of the DeKalb Peachtree Airport=2E I forget the exact name= of the place, but there was a Chinese grocery store near a Chinese cultura= l center, and in the interior of a small strip mall there was a food court,= with maybe 15 or so food vendors, and only about half of them had any menu= translation into English=2E=20 Connection to GNU/Linux: indirect history: My Atlanta years were my first exposure to Mac's flavor of BSD, as Apple w= asn't nearly so popular then, and in Georgia Tech's computer labs the Dell = PCs always had lines of students waiting to use them, and hardly anyone was= on the OS X machines=2E I tried one, discovered the Terminal, and realized= nearly all the bash commands I knew from my first Linux server account (ke= pler=2Ecovenant=2Eedu) were immediately applicable=2E Le 15 f=C3=A9vrier 2021 07:30:01 GMT+01:00, chugalug@chugalug=2Eorg a =C3= =A9crit=C2=A0: >2021-02-15 chugalug Digest: 2 messages >=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D > > >-------------- >From: DaWorm >Date: Sun, 14 Feb 2021 13:40:07 +0000 (UTC) >Subject;Re: [chugalug] Working in Mainland China > >Thank you, Chad, that's an amazingly helpful set of responses! > >I still don't know if I will be offered this job or if I will accept it i= f >offered=2E But knowing these things helps me out tremendously when it co= mes >time to make my decision=2E > >Unfortunately, I would be in what I guess is the north, in Qingdao >(Tsingtao, where the beer is from), so I don't guess I'd be able to visit >if we're both there at the same time (and Covid has passed, of course)=2E > >Thank you! > Jeff > >On Thu, Feb 11, 2021, 11:00 PM Chad Smith wrote: > >> One more thought - buy and install the VPN on your devices BEFORE you c= ome >> here=2E >> >> You can get ISPs with VPN built-in, but it's not secure VPN=2E As in, = it >> doesn't protect you from big brudda looking at what you are doing=2E I= t >> does, however, open up *some* of the normal non-firewalled internet to >> you=2E >> >> A lot of VPNs won't work here=2E I've used ExpressVPN for years, and i= t's >> been the most reliable for me=2E If you want to sign up for an account= , I >> can send you a link to get a free month=2E (Full disclosure, signing u= p with >> that link will give me a free month as well=2E) >> >> In fact, (with risk of violating some forgotten or unspoken Chugalug >> rule), here is my referral link=2E >> >> >> https://www=2Eexpressrefer=2Ecom/refer-friend?referrer_id=3D22048642&ut= m_campaign=3Dreferrals&utm_medium=3Dcopy_link&utm_source=3Dreferral_dashboa= rd >> >> probably don't need all those tracking bits=2E=2E=2E=2E >> >> https://www=2Eexpressrefer=2Ecom/refer-friend?referrer_id=3D22048642 >> >> anyway, welcome to China! >> >> A few more tips=2E=2E=2E=2E >> >> Bring deodorant, it's difficult to find here, and expensive when you fi= nd >> it=2E The reason being - and this is true - Chinese people's sweat doe= sn't >> stink=2E Or, at least 97% of ethnically Chinese people's sweat doesn't >> attract the bacteria that eats most people's sweat and causes the BO >> odor=2E=2E=2E so deodorantisn't necessary for over 1=2E3 billion people= here=2E >> >> Set up an account on BaoPals or TBfocus=2E TaoBao is China's answer to >> Amazon and eBay and Walmart-online combined, and it's only available in >> Chinese=2E You will be told, constantly, to "Just order it from Taoba= o!" >> >> Stock up on pocket tissues, hand santizer, and wet-wipes, because most >> bathrooms don't have TP or soap or paper towels=2E You can buy those h= ere, >> though=2E Just always have them on you, (even on your first trip here = - like >> on the plane, have them in your pocket)=2E >> >> Also, buy flip-flops / sandals / houseshoes, and take your shoes off wh= en >> you enter anyone's home=2E (The sandals are for your own home / hotel= =2E) One >> trip to a public restroom and you'll know why taking off your shoes in >> homes is not just a tradition=2E >> >> The food is good=2E It's not what you think Chinese food is=2E Forget >> fortune cookies, eggrolls, General Tao, and sweet-and-sour-chicken are = not >> things here=2E >> >> Didi is like Uber / Lyft / traditional taxi service app all rolled into >> one=2E You will want an account=2E >> >> Cash is very much frowned upon by most people=2E (At least in the citi= es=2E) >> There are places that straight up won't take it=2E You need to pay by = WeChat >> Pay or AliPay=2E AliPay can be set up with an American account, so I'v= e been >> told=2E >> >> Most cities' public transportation is great, subways have English >> accountments (in my experience in South China), Buses do not=2E >> >> Everything shuts down for Chinese New Year=2E Well, not so much this y= ear >> because the government told everyone to not travel - but typically, you >> will want to stock up on at least a week, if not two weeks, of supplies >> (food, household items, consumables, etc=2E) prior to the shut-down dat= e=2E >> Last year the shutdown bled into COVID, so I was very grateful to have >> supplies ahead of time=2E This year, the shutdown is meant to be a cou= ple of >> days=2E (It just started last night, so we'll see=2E) >> >> You need face masks=2E COVID is pretty much contained here, especially= in >> the south, where I am=2E But wearing a mask is required to enter many >> places, and to use public transportation, including taxis and Didis=2E >> >> You will be asked by perfect strangers to teach their kids English=2E = It >> pays typically 250 RMB per hour=2E >> >> Your temperature will be taken=2E Your passport will be photographed= =2E Your >> movements will be recorded by your phone - regardless of what brand pho= ne >> it is, what SIM card you use, or what VPN you use=2E Because to track = and >> prevent COVID - you will be required to add an app to your phone to tra= ck >> your movement=2E You are coming to China=2E You are agreeing to this = by >> coming here=2E >> >> Memorize your new phone number, your passport number, and your address= =2E >> >> Learn how to say wherever you are saying in Mandarin=2E >> >> There is no such thing as a spoken language called "Chinese"=2E There = are >> dozens of spoken Chinese languages (plural)=2E The most common and mos= t >> widespread (and official language of China) is Mandarin=2E The second = most >> often used is Cantonese=2E But nearly every region has its own traditi= onal >> language, as many local villages / hometowns have their own language as >> well=2E So most people are multilingual, even though they only "speak >> Chinese"=2E There is one unified written language - called simplified >> Chinese=2E Traditional Chinese is mostly used outside of mainland Chin= a=2E >> (HK, Macau, Taiwan, etc=2E) To function in Mainland China, you will w= ant to >> focus on Mandarin and Simplified Chinese=2E (Most mainland Chinese peo= ple >> can't read traditional Chinese beyond a few characters=2E) >> >> The emergency number is 119 >> >> BE CAREFUL CROSSING THE STREET! Look both ways, multiple times, and mo= ve >> it when you cross=2E You are playing real life frogger every time=2E >> Crosswalk or no=2E >> >> Get used to motorcycles on the sidewalks with you at all times=2E >> >> You will see people spitting everywhere, and children will be using the >> bathroom just like=2E=2E=2E anywhere=2E >> >> There are more KFCs in China than in America=2E Starbucks, Pizza Hut, >> McDonald's, Burger King, and Papa John's are also very common=2E Not >> everything is the same, though=2E Biscuits don't exist here=2E Even in= KFC=2E >> Papa John's is very different=2E The dough and sauce aren't the same= =2E >> >> Movies are cheap but you have to buy or bring your own 3D glasses (but >> they are also cheap)=2E >> >> You will walk a lot - unless you plan to Didi everywhere=2E >> >> There are more malls here than you can possibly imagine=2E I actually = live >> on top of a mall=2E Not a stripmall, or a mini-mall, or just a random >> collection of stores - I mean like a legit mall=2E Like Hamilton Place= =2E >> >> If you need any medicine, even simple stuff like Asprin or Pepto Bismol= or >> Tums - bring that with you=2E Enough for your whole trip, and maybe an= extra >> 15%=2E And bring a proper first aid kit=2E I still don't know where t= o buy >> those here=2E >> >> Find an English speaking hospital wherever you are going=2E And be pre= pared >> to pay *Up Front* for your expenses, unless you have amazing health >> insurance=2E Also, hospitals do not provide meals, even if you are the= re for >> weeks=2E >> >> Enroll here: https://step=2Estate=2Egov/step/ >> >> Just do it=2E >> >> Hope that helps=2E >> >> *- Chad W=2E Smith* >> >> >> On Fri, Feb 12, 2021 at 11:17 AM Chad Smith wrote: >> >>> Ooops, I skipped #4=2E >>> >>> 4=2E Is it better to get a local SIM for my phone, or use my carrier's >>> international plan? Or should I invest in a local carrier hotspot and= only >>> connect my phone via WiFi (something I've done in Taiwan)? >>> >>> Your carrier's international plan will be a lot more expensive=2E I ha= ve a >>> local SIM here, and it costs me about 90 RMB per month for unlimited t= alk, >>> text, and data on a 4G network=2E (90 RMB is less than $14 USD=2E) >>> >>> That did require setting up an account that is tied to my passport, an= d I >>> needed a local friend's help to make that happen=2E >>> >>> There are pay-as-you-go style cards available to foreigners, but I've >>> never used them and can't speak for their expense or to their function= ality=2E >>> >>> *- Chad W=2E Smith* >>> >>> >>> On Fri, Feb 12, 2021 at 11:14 AM Chad Smith wrote= : >>> >>>> Sorry for the delay=2E I just saw this=2E >>>> >>>> I am currently working in Mainland China=2E >>>> >>>> 1=2E Do I need a VPN plan to get by the Great Firewall, or is that a = "nice >>>> to have" item? >>>> >>>> Yes you need it=2E If you want to use Google, YouTube, Facebook, Twi= tter, >>>> Gmail, Netflix, Pandora, or any "normal" internet things=2E You need= a VPN=2E >>>> >>>> 2=2E Will I be able to access my Gmail account for personal email? I= f not >>>> directly or via VPN, any other workarounds? >>>> >>>> You need a VPN=2E Full stop=2E >>>> >>>> 3=2E How hard will it be to access things like online billpay to keep= my >>>> bills at home up to date while away (assuming my wife is travelling w= ith >>>> me)? >>>> >>>> You need a VPN=2E >>>> >>>> 4=2E Is it better to get a local SIM for my phone, or use my carrier'= s >>>> international plan? Or should I invest in a local carrier hotspot an= d only >>>> connect my phone via WiFi (something I've done in Taiwan)? >>>> >>>> 5=2E As I understand it, WeChat Pay is pretty much essential=2E It c= an be >>>> linked to a US credit card now (didn't used to be able to), but does = anyone >>>> have any caveats or gotchas when doing this? Foreign transaction fee= s of >>>> 2% or so are typical as I understand it, but I should be able to expe= nse >>>> those=2E >>>> >>>> I've never been able to link WeChat Pay to any American accounts=2E = I had >>>> to use a Chinese account=2E If you aren't planning on living here fu= ll time, >>>> you can use a friend's account if they will let you=2E (Each Chinese= bank >>>> account can be linked to up to 5 different WeChat accounts=2E) >>>> >>>> 6=2E As I understand it, Google Translate is allowed to operate there >>>> (unlike search or maps), anyone have any experience using it? >>>> >>>> I use it almost daily=2E But I have a VPN=2E That said, you can dow= nload >>>> the languages offline (English and Chinese, specifically) so that you= can >>>> use it even without a VPN=2E That said, some features will be limite= d (Like, >>>> oddly, translating images stored on your phone, while live camera-bas= ed >>>> translation is functional=2E) >>>> >>>> Hope that helps! And Ni Hao, new neighbor! >>>> >>>> *- Chad W=2E Smith* >>>> >>>> >>>> On Fri, Jan 29, 2021 at 9:35 PM DaWorm wrote: >>>> >>>>> Not exactly *nix related, but maybe some of you can help=2E >>>>> >>>>> Does anyone have any experience working in mainland China? I'm bein= g >>>>> considered for a position that would involve spending time in Qingda= o (home >>>>> of Tsingtao beer), usually in 3 to 6 week chunks a few times a year,= and I >>>>> have a few questions=2E So if you have some experience, I'd appreci= ate it=2E >>>>> >>>>> 1=2E Do I need a VPN plan to get by the Great Firewall, or is that a >>>>> "nice to have" item? >>>>> >>>>> 2=2E Will I be able to access my Gmail account for personal email? = If >>>>> not directly or via VPN, any other workarounds? >>>>> >>>>> 3=2E How hard will it be to access things like online billpay to kee= p my >>>>> bills at home up to date while away (assuming my wife is travelling = with >>>>> me)? >>>>> >>>>> 4=2E Is it better to get a local SIM for my phone, or use my carrier= 's >>>>> international plan? Or should I invest in a local carrier hotspot a= nd only >>>>> connect my phone via WiFi (something I've done in Taiwan)? >>>>> >>>>> 5=2E As I understand it, WeChat Pay is pretty much essential=2E It = can be >>>>> linked to a US credit card now (didn't used to be able to), but does= anyone >>>>> have any caveats or gotchas when doing this? Foreign transaction fe= es of >>>>> 2% or so are typical as I understand it, but I should be able to exp= ense >>>>> those=2E >>>>> >>>>> 6=2E As I understand it, Google Translate is allowed to operate ther= e >>>>> (unlike search or maps), anyone have any experience using it? >>>>> >>>>> My only experience in the AP area was a week in Taiwan, but that's a >>>>> whole different animal than the mainland=2E Any advice from someone= who has >>>>> been there, done that would be appreciated=2E Feel free to move to = direct >>>>> email if this isn't appropriate here=2E >>>>> >>>>> Thanks, >>>>> Jeff=2E >>>>> >>>>> P=2ES=2E I already know I can't play Pokemon Go there=2E Bummer=2E >>>>> >>>> > >-------------- >From: "Mike (meuon) Harrison" >Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2021 01:10:07 +0000 (UTC) >Subject;Re: [chugalug] Working in Mainland China > >DaWorm: >> to visit if we're both=EF=BF=BD=EF=BF=BDthere at the same time (and Cov= id has passed, of course)=2E > >If the two of you are within mainland China and touch base in any=20 >way we should count it as a Chugalug meetup in Mainland China=2E ;) > > > > > > > > > >=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D >[chugalug] chugalug@chugalug=2Eorg Digested=2E >This is Alpha Code: It worked for the dev=2E Once, maybe twice=2E >Send email to mike@geeklabs=2Ecom if you need to rant=2E > > > >Your Fortune: > >Is there life before breakfast? > > --=20 Envoy=C3=A9 de mon appareil Android avec Courriel K-9 Mail=2E Veuillez exc= user ma bri=C3=A8vet=C3=A9=2E=============================================================== From: DaWorm ------------------------------------------------------ While not exactly the same, I did spend a bit over a week in Taiwan a few years back, and the food was almost always excellent. 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