New way for expats to stay connected

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
03/11/2010 15:47

found this article on Voicesnewspaper which should be of interest to most expats who live in NC,



it's software that you download called Expat Shield, When users connect to Expat Shield, it assigns them a UK IP address. As a result, all Web sessions take place as they would in the UK. With Expat Shield, UK residents abroad will now have a way to remain private online while staying connected to the sites they love, including:Popular news and information sources, like Google, The Financial Times, CNN and the BBC; social networking sites like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and MySpace; VOIP services like Skype, which are often blocked in foreign regions; BBC iPlayer and other sites that are unavailable from certain countries or outside of the UK.



visit http://www.voicesnewspaper.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4434 if you want to read the article



To download Expat Shield, visit: http://expatshield.com. The program is free and will install automatically.



Robert

hawkeye


Joined: 12/09/2010
Posts: 334

Message Posted:
03/11/2010 16:30

Just downloaded it...........thank you thank you thank you. NOw we can sit in bed and watch from my lap top....and now we can save £5 per month for Uk tv, and bye bye to Dogiturk.....................Sue

Norman



Joined: 21/12/2008
Posts: 58

Message Posted:
03/11/2010 16:36

is this a safe site

Yinglis


Joined: 13/10/2008
Posts: 290

Message Posted:
03/11/2010 16:40

seems to be safe



http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2010/11/03/software-cheat-lets-people-watch-bbc-iplayer-abroad-an-update/

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
03/11/2010 17:01

to make it work you have to install the program and restart the computer, and it works well. it changed my ip address and it's working fast not like other VPN software.







Robert

Whistler


Joined: 28/07/2008
Posts: 1332

Message Posted:
03/11/2010 18:39

Will it work with Turkcell 3G please?

ianwfs


Joined: 08/01/2008
Posts: 563

Message Posted:
03/11/2010 21:11

Sounds interesting, but I'd like to hear from our TV experts on here what they think of it. I have a couple of questions.

They seem to be providing a product/service that most people would happily pay £5 or£10 a month for. So why is it free? What is the hidden small print? Is it, perhaps, a free trial?

Once installed, how does it work? Is it a separate programme that you open as needed, or does it take over your internet connection so that everything you do online is via them? If that is the case, how secure is it?

How does the programme quality etc compare with the existing internet/satellite products that are available (apart from the fact that satellite will get you a much greater range of programmes)

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 00:36

Hi Ian



I have no idea how it works...whether it's using a VPN or a Proxy, and I'm not downloading any .exe file to MY pc to find out ;)



What is appears to do is give a UK IP.. allowing you to *appear* to be in the UK - to get around 'geo-blocking' - blocks put in place to stop folk from outside the UK accessing UK content.



Nethouse and myself are currently offering totally FREE VPNs without having to run any set-up progs ..



re msg5, aussiejock



>> it's working fast not like other VPN software. <<



VPN's are 'software' they are a method of 'tunnelling' and appear to pop out in the desired country



The quality of a VPN depends on how many users are piling in on it, the bandwidth available, the connection at the UK end...



I'm QUITE sure *MY* VPN is as fast as ANY in use for non-commercial usage..



This has NOTHING to do with 'software' - per se...



I'm giving away use to MY VPN to promote a superior service that is coming soon - I wonder what expat shield are 'u

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 05:08

What I would do is download Microsoft Virtual machine from Microsoft, With Microsoft Virtual PC 2007, you can create and run one or more virtual machines, each with its own operating system, on a single computer. This provides you with the flexibility to use different operating systems on one physical computer, that way you have no conflict problems, and if everything runs ok then install Expat Shield on your computer, if still unsure then make a backup of your Drive with True Image or Norton Ghost I run Linux OS 2010 and Fedora 13 using Virtual PC, I have installed XP Server, Vista, and XP Media Centre just to try them out, I have not tried to install this program on Windows 7.







Robert

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 08:38

Hi Mark



How do I use your VPN ?



Regards



Paul

hawkeye


Joined: 12/09/2010
Posts: 334

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 09:10

well it worked brilliantly for us last night, on my laptop and the speed was better than one we have installed on our main computer that we pay £5 per month for. Its only BBC but its got plenty of choice to wathc so whne your fed up with the repeats you can find someting else.....Sue

ianwfs


Joined: 08/01/2008
Posts: 563

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 09:23

Hawkeye, I don't quite understand. Are you saying that the expatshield program will only allow you to watch BBC. Or did you simply not try ITV, C4 and C5

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 09:34

re message 6.

I have an Optus 3g dongle and using expat shield, with BBC iplayer I do get a bit of buffering, I'm going to get the 4g dongle which gives better speeds.







Robert

HER INDOORS



Joined: 14/12/2007
Posts: 152

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 09:38

I can't download it - message saying "Installer integrity check has failed.Common cause include incomplete download and damaged media." HELP

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 10:22

I just went into Channel 4, Channel 5, and ITV using expatshield had no problem, but when I disconected expatshield and went back It said ( sorry this video is only available to be viewed in the United Kingdom ) so it works ok from here in Oz.







Robert

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 10:48

Her Indoors



I am getting the same problem !!



Anybody have any idea as to what the problem may be ??



Paul

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 11:07

message 14 and 16

just send them an email and put the question to them about your problems address is



anchorfree@launchsquad.com





Robert

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 11:42

I have it installed but cannot see how one can get to watch any UK channels starting from the home page! Any tips?

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 12:20

Managed to download it this time and it is working fine. Unable to stream live tv from BBC iPLayer but managed to watch stored programmes on iPlayer with no buffering.



Paul

matula


Joined: 07/07/2008
Posts: 647

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 12:36

I downloaded it early this morning and after download I couldn't get internet access. (not an extend problem as laptop had i/net access) I had to uninstall the programme and restore the system to yesterday in order to get my internet back!

metin


Joined: 08/09/2008
Posts: 1588

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 14:51

Matula,



same happened to me.....

I have a Turkcell dongle, is it not compatible ????? Anyone.

StGeorgeI


Joined: 27/08/2009
Posts: 973

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 15:04

Works fine for me here and that's with a Turkcell dongle - this is from a company called anchorfree that have been running a similar thing in the US for ages called hotspot shield http://hotspotshield.com/



I have been waiting for them to bring out a UK version - if they do the same with this one then they will supply a brilliant service here and it will always be free!!!



With hotspot shield it will change your home page (which takes 5 seconds to change back) and you may get some add banners at the top when on pages like Google - but this is just minor. This may be the same.



Great find aussiejock - nice one!



G

StGeorgeI


Joined: 27/08/2009
Posts: 973

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 15:06

Also, I had to delete hotspot shield first - I pressume that this new one covers US as well as UK... maybe?



G

hawkeye


Joined: 12/09/2010
Posts: 334

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 15:32

only got BBc did not think to look to get ITV chanel 4 Sorry............Sue

StGeorgeI


Joined: 27/08/2009
Posts: 973

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 15:39

BBC i player live working through expat shield @ http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/tv/bbc_one_london/watchlive



ITV player live working @ http://www.itv.com/watchitv/



thsi doesn't change you home page but you do get pop up adds (not whilst you are watching tv though).



Great bit of kit this - thanks again AussieJock



G

StGeorgeI


Joined: 27/08/2009
Posts: 973

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 15:47

Doesn't work on TV Catch up at the moment which is a bummer! Not complaining mind...



G

magalan


Joined: 17/01/2009
Posts: 227

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 17:12

Get to BBC iplayer OK - then stops dead - NOT AVAILABLE IN YOUR AREA??????????



Any ideas?

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 20:58

G could you supply me with links to C4 and C5 please.

stilluvithere



Joined: 03/12/2008
Posts: 765

Message Posted:
04/11/2010 23:22

I am with Nethouse and I lost internet. Had to uninstall

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
05/11/2010 04:37

just watched the X Factor on ITV2 and Blue Murder on ITV3 with no buffering and good picture,



Message 27 after you install the program you must reboot your system, then just click on the Expat Shield Launch icon on your desktop,



Just type on those links below for BBC and ITV and just google the others.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/tv/bbc_one_london/watchlive to get the BBCiplayer or



http://www.itv.com/watchitv/ to get ITV 1,2,3,4



Message 29 sorry can't help with your situation but you must reboot after you install expat shield it will not work until you do this and I don't know if it block's your connection untill you reboot your system,





Robert

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
05/11/2010 07:06

Robert



BBC still says not available in your area bugger!

zerochlor


Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 4024

Message Posted:
05/11/2010 08:33

works great for me on all channels.

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
05/11/2010 08:54

This could prove to be the best thing since sliced bread !! does it work OK with a dongle 3G ??

StGeorgeI


Joined: 27/08/2009
Posts: 973

Message Posted:
05/11/2010 14:08

works with my 3g turkcell dongle - will eat the download limit though :(



G

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
05/11/2010 14:41

Groucho

did you open it from the desktop, when it's working it will turn green on the toolbar button and say Expat Shield ON if its red it will say Expat Shield OFF and will not give you UK VPN it doe's work well but if you only have a download limit of 2 or 3 gig then it will eat up your months account.







Robert

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 08:21

BTTT



Could save you a rack of cash !!

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 10:01

re msg 10 Fiendishpaul



To use my vpn - send me an email - check out the profile and I'll mail you the setup



If you are savvy with PCs it is simple.. and works with Windows, MC, Linux - and DOES NOT involve running any installation software - you are simply making a network connection



I want to understand what this expatshield is 'doing' and why it is being given away for free - is the UK tax man behind it ? ;)))

Norman



Joined: 21/12/2008
Posts: 58

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 10:17

message 37

i have been paying £5 a month for a VPN and now for some reason it will no longer connect, if its to cheeky could you send me the set up.

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 14:55

Message 37

so mmmmmm that means you are going to give people access to your server and supply them with a VPN, "this is not free" so how much are you going to charge in the long run,



this Expat Shield is free software and works very well,



with your service they will have to make a new VPN connection, connect to a workplace, and use your VPN address, you would supply them with an internet address, and then you supply a username and password to connect to your server is this right so how much do you charge,



I do not know why you are knocking Expat Shield it's just a program and can be uninstalled if you do not like it, its a 100 times better than ( mask surf pro, hide my isp, etc etc they are just too slow ) if you look up the manufacturer of this software you will find they have been using it for quite a few years now with no problems,





Robert

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 15:01

Robert



"Groucho



did you open it from the desktop, when it's working it will turn green on the toolbar button and say Expat Shield ON if its red it will say Expat Shield OFF and will not give you UK VPN "



Yes did all that... says it's changed IP address, ipconfig confirms IP V4 changed but BBC iplayer still won't let me run TV downloads...

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 16:45

Sorry Groucho I don't know enough about the program, I just installed it a few days ago, but I will look into it, I didn't have this problem when I installed it, it worked right away, if it says its on, then close down internet explorer, and start it again and see if that works, or just click on this page, from Cyprus44



http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/tv/bbc_one_london/watchlive and see if it works.





Robert

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
11/11/2010 09:19

Groucho

found a site that says to change to Google chrome, but I have never tried Google chrome, so don't know if it will work or whether you want to install it on your system good luck and hope it works for you.







Robert

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
11/11/2010 09:27

Robert



I am on Google Chrome! It's very good but still no joy...

hawkeye


Joined: 12/09/2010
Posts: 334

Message Posted:
11/11/2010 10:11

we have a Uk tv via my husbands comuter we pay £5 per month.....this said I have now downloaded onto my laptop the ex pat sheild did it as soon as the first posting appeared. It works far far better than the one we have been paying for via my huisbands computer ....So thank you again for placing the link onto Cyprus 44. with out these people who trawl the internet to find these possiblilties we would be still watching Digi turk.......Sue

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
11/11/2010 10:28

re 39 Aussiejock



>>with your service they will have to make a new VPN connection, connect to a workplace, and use your VPN address, you would supply them with an internet address, and then you supply a username and password to connect to your server is this right so how much do you charge,

<<



1/ You make it sound very 'complicated.. it involves filling in blanks using a Windows Wizard - not installing of a program..



2/ I have given free access to my VPN since June 2010 - I charge ZIP..NADA..nothing ;)



3/ I have no plans to withdraw it in the near future - It's a sort of 'Sprat to catch a Mackerel' for another project I'm up to..



4/ I know it allows downloading of BBC progs in *All* Browsers incl Google Chrome ( I'm looking at Wallace and Gromit's download : http://tinyurl.com/26743j4 )



5/ I'm not 'knocking' it - I'm asking :

a) WHY is is 'free'? - it costs 'someone' - so what benefit are Expat Shield deriving ?

b) WHAT is in that install prog ? Do you know ?

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
11/11/2010 10:31

re 37



it's not 'cheeky' to ask ;)



Please send me an email to the address in my profile !

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
11/11/2010 10:31

or re message 38 , even :(

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
11/11/2010 10:42

It doesn't work on Skyplayer and Avast anti-virus is convinced it's a Trojan

but at last (!!) I found out how their biz model:



" As long as you are connected to expat shield, you will see a banner ad on top of every page. That is how we are able to keep this service free for our users. You should not be seeing adult ads though. I will check to see why it is happenning. If you disconnect Expat Shield, you will stop seeing ads."



http://www.facebook.com/expatshield

StGeorgeI


Joined: 27/08/2009
Posts: 973

Message Posted:
11/11/2010 10:56

mmmmmmmm - i told you how they do it with adverts in message 22 & 25 of this thread!!!



G

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
11/11/2010 11:07

re msg 49



StGeorge1 - YES you did and I'm a 'wolly' :(

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
11/11/2010 11:25

I'm using avast at the moment, and had no trouble, and if you are giving out VPN's then thats good for this forum, I know that you do not use a program to set up your VPN, and a wizard is great for the novice, well done for that, but if this program is of use to any one on here, then thats a good thing, and I hope they enjoy it, because it will be around for a long time, and I hope it helps a lot of people out.





Robert

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
11/11/2010 14:58

Dear Aussiejock



re 51



re AVAST



Well as you can see from the facebook page other users are :(



with MY VPN there are non of the restrictions / 'downsides' of expat shield ( works on all OS [ Mac, Linux, no issues with SKY, 4oD, sopify, no ads...





I REALLY don't like any prog that is pushing adverts as it may be looking at my browsing habits.. the whole point of a VPN is supposed to BE privacy !



How do YOU know expatshield will be around a long time, btw ? ;)

StGeorgeI


Joined: 27/08/2009
Posts: 973

Message Posted:
11/11/2010 16:04

No worries mmmmmmmm



Also, i think this will be around for a long time... I have been using the US version 'hot spot shield' for over 2 years with absolutely no problems whatsoever.



By the way - I think your free VPN thing is also great - i like people that do things for free and I hope other people appreciate it.



Finally - this little program is still working great for me and also includes all the UK radio stations as well as TV... http://tiiveni.webs.com/downloads.htm



cheers,

G

Norman



Joined: 21/12/2008
Posts: 58

Message Posted:
11/11/2010 16:30

i cant see your email as i haven't had enough posts. for obvious reasons i am not putting my personal email on here, could you use the following please. aiw-northcyprus@hotmail.com

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
11/11/2010 17:17

Hi Norman I sent you an email - if you don't see it - check for spam ;)

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
11/11/2010 17:24

re 53



As I said I'm not giving something away for free for the goodness of my heart..

I hope some folk might upgrade ( later) to pay for a service that will allow them to control their own sat receiver schedule recordings/ series links and they can view stuff when THEY want and not have to browse the net or watch it within 30 days or have it automatically deleted.