Haha Tom I totally agree with you, these days were AWESOME and I'm very happy that I will stay here longer. About the data plan, I think of it as a way to disconnect from my "other" world and to fully enjoy the moments I was living without being distracted from the Internet. With some light browsing and messaging, I ate just 170mb of my cheap ass 300mb data plan. A big part of the merit for this goes to the CRAPPY chinese internet, I got so frustrated every time I had to load a page that I said "fuck it, do I REALLY need that??" and closed the phone! :)
Basically we share our phone numbers, and add them to our phonebook. The app syncs with the phonebook, and as soon as it sees that you added a phone number, checks if that other person is a user of the app. If both have the app, both will be able to see eachother in the "internal" phonebook of the app. You don't have to remember usernames and passwords, as every client that you want to use (for PC, tablet, smartphone...) has to be registered via a code that you receive via SMS, so it is "safely" connected to your phone number. From then on it works transparently like SMSs. Then, one person creates a group and starts adding people, and for the group it works like an IRC chat. Only the group admin must have all the numbers in the phonebook, other people will just see their nicknames and will be able to add the number later if they want. You can also share GPS position, that should be very useful for us!! :) I volounteer as the group admin, so if you guys want to send me your phone numbers I can start creating the group!
[quote author="drfritznunkie"]Would we have to wait to get our chinese SIMs to set this up, or can we share our numbers now, get the group set up and still have it work with our new SIMs?[/quote] If you register the app with your local phone number, it keeps it logged in even if you change SIM, so we can start creating the group. It works like whatsapp.
Well, for mobile messaging, Telegram seems the preferred choice after Whatsapp acquisition. Desktop and web apps available too, and sharing the telephone number as the user gives a fall-back reliable communication channel in case of emergency. It's also mostly opensource (server side is closed). MG
Hi Zack, there's a map with some locations here: http://dangerousprototypes.com/hackercampshenzhen/map/ I booked a room at this hotel: http://www.booking.com/hotel/cn/jinzhim ... bb2;dcid=2 as I found it a bit cheaper than the proposed alternatives and it's still near the class location. I'm in your same situation about travel budget, so I planned a more touristic trip through Shangai and Beijing, but your Macau idea seems very interesting too. Looking for info about Macau, I don't understand if it's "part of China" or not, like Hong Kong. I mean, do I need a visa to get back into China from Macau like I need it from HK? If so I will probably get a multi entry visa. About the board, I think that you have to follow the DP guidelines and use their Eagle design rules here: http://www.seeedstudio.com/service/inde ... pcbService
Yep. I already have the flight booked, but I really can't book an hotel for real, as aside from the week in shenzhen I'll be roaming at random around china. I hopefully won't be deported! :)
Thank you for the great tips. I was too naive to think about booking hotels and then cancel the booking! :) I'm also interested in 3g coverage, I see that there's no 4g but the 3g seems to be on the same bands of europe (2100MHz) and gsm is at 900MHz, so I will be able to use my phone (USA guys may have gsm problems, as your phones work at 850MHz). Are 3g SIMs cheap and have network coverage all across china?
Hi, I just purchased the last ticket. I'm actually a bit scared of China, mostly for the language, but my plan would be to get there about 31mar-1apr, take the full course and see the makerfaire, then take a train to visit Shangai, then another train to Beijing, then if possible visit Lijiang and/or Guilin, then take a plane or train back to Shenzhen and back home through HK. I estimate about a month of travel. My problem is where to leave the stuff I buy in Shenzhen for when I go back home (maybe the hackerspace may help?), and I'd love to find a "partner" for the trip.
Name: Mastro Gippo Arriving: HK 31mar-1apr Attending: Days 0-3 and MakerFaire, available for social gathering and general partying after the event Background: mid 20s, soldering and building (and disassembling) stuff since I was born, currently consultant developing electronic devices and working on electric cars, founding an hackerspace and helping organizing an hacker camp in Italy and running basic soldering and electronic courses. Expectations (I think these are quite standard! :) ) 1) Meet Bunnie!!! :) 2) have fun and make friends with fellow hackers 3) party!!! 4) visit China and Shenzhen markets, my long time dream 5) buy equipment and stuff for me & the hackerspace 6) see if I can find opportunities to work/collaborate with chinese companies and see in person where I buy all the stuff and who makes my things, to improve my workflow
Open questios: -while asking around to gather info from people who visited the place before, a guy told me that there are drop shippers that take your stuff and money, and never ship the stuff. Will the 60$/20kg shipping option mentioned by Ian and TomK in the comments provide a guarantee of any sort? Are we dealing directly with FedEx, shipping bricks and stuff? -will you assist in shipping batteries? -I assume you pay in cash at the markets; what is the "right" amount of cash to bring around, without fear of being mugged etc.? -I will need to book the hotel to get te visa, can someone please update the infos on the wiki with links to the recommended hotel? Thanks and see you soon! :)
