Forums > Living in Kunming > Beware US Consulate Chengdu It is an unfortunate fact that government diplomats are less than honest and less than straight-forward by training.
If any of them are reading this, you can believe that their response will be; 'The public just doesn't understand that we are simply doing our job.' Well, we expect them to be overseas civil servants and, thus, setting an example.
Perhaps, their concern is that this particular item (it's just an item to them) will open the flood gates. Well, who caused the flood. Experienced professionals should be able to manage that (Mmn, perhaps this is the nub of the matter).
Forums > Living in Kunming > expat population in Kunming Why do I get the feeling that 'thedearleader' is a fully paid-up member of CCP.
Forums > Living in Kunming > English version of Windows 7? @noway: "pretty sure". Ah, so you're not absolutely certain. Well, next year, when the waranty has expired, think about this as the problems begin.
Remember, PC's aren't manufactured by Microsoft. I know you know. That's why Pierre knows, from experience, what he's talking about. Right, Pierre? ;-)
Everyone has experienced the following: PC problem - you call the manufacturer - they tell you to call Microsoft. Software problem - you call Microsoft - they tell you to call the PC manufacturer. That's assuming that there is a telephone number.
Of course, there's Linux, Ubuntu, et al, but only Apple manufactures both the Mac and the operating system software - seems a logical way to go. No?
Good luck. Seriously.
Forums > Living in Kunming > English version of Windows 7? It seems that today's writers haven't read this whole thread.
@noway: Don't be so sure.
@mailman: Did you say 'junkie.org' - you needn't say more.
@mingdao: Linux is great.
@Everyoneelse: Get a Mac. ;-)
Forums > Living in Kunming > Marriage advice "I wonder how it ever came to this."???
onomato, your life could improve if you would simply read your original amazing reply on Thursday 6th May 2010.
If your only recourse is to eat chips while staring at a wall, then, I am sure that I may speak for everyone when I say, you need help ... urgently.
Yangzonghai Lake water quality upgraded
Posted byUnfortunately, I'm unable to explain Class iii, but I'm unlikely to swim in it. I should welcome an explanation of how wonderful is a visibility of 2.27 m (an improvement of 29 cm). Relate these minute measurements to the unreliable government statistics that often appear and I remain pessimistic, but I congratulate any improvement ... no matter how small.
Wenhua Xiang filling up with financially overextended youth
Posted byDid any one notice this in the report; "... at 10pm the racket is only starting. The noise interferes with kids doing their homework"
Why on Earth are kids do homework at 10 pm?
Kunming preparing for another drought
Posted by@Bob: Have you any idea what the plans may be. I hope that it's more than planning to have another meeting. Experts in global warming (and that is the reason) will suggest that immediate, severe, actions must be taken, for example, double the cost of water.
This simply not a 'fluctuation' - it'll be worse next year.
Records show that snow fall in the Himalayas and the Artic (for example) is no longer replenishing glacier melt - this has been the case for more than a decade ... and continues.
Construction of Kunming oil refinery to begin in October
Posted byCan you please tell me the start location of the protest march?
Yunnan's universities underperforming nationally, regionally
Posted byMany teachers, both Chinese and foreign, who are aware of this report will make it a subject of comment today. Of course, the greatest contributing factor for these results is financial which results in an energy spiral strengthened by the attraction of foreign experts and, thus, the best students. Therefore, in a way, it goes without saying that the Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing universities will lead the pack.
Having spent my extended China teaching time equally in Chengdu and Kunming, I am aware of some contributing factors that Liu Shaohuai ignores. Obviously, as a diligent political member of the Party, it is unlikely that his education has concentrated on much more than propaganda and, thus, some very good teachers at Yunnan University (known to me personally) who are not active Party members are given little attention.
I remember meeting a Chinese senior English-language teacher who had been introduced, proudly, with a Ph.D. Upon enquiry, I learnt that her dissertation was about Ethnic Tourism. Is there a link between ethnic groups and language? Yes, but will this knowledge improve the teaching of language in Yunnan? Very little, in my opinion. There is also the memory of my first introduction to a Kunming university - My guide proudly telling me that 90% of the university's teachers had a bachelor degree. Seeking more information, I learnt that of the remaining 9% comprised those with masters and doctorates, but 1% (approximately) only had a college diploma. I understand that this is no longer the case.
Yet, by comparison, I know of an elderly foreign tenured-professor from a top U.S. university, with two doctorates, who visits Kunming for six months every year - he teaches privately during his visit and has never been approached to assist with the university assessments that Mr. Liu seems to advocate.
Finally, I should be interested to know why there is a 60 years-old age cut-off for useful foreign experts ... perhaps related but a whole new subject.