I guess I hadn't posted about this here yet.. I started a new job about a month ago, and currently I'm in Taiwan for training. I've been here for a few weeks already (I left the US July 13th), and I return in a couple days, on August 7.

The company makes semiconductor metrology tools, which help chip makers analyze wafers for quality control & such. It's very similar to the last company I worked at, which was doing the same thing. My role here will be a software engineer, maintaining their software as far as investigating & fixing issues reported by customers - mainly Intel; my role will also involve supporting Intel, which has several major sites in Oregon (USA) where I live. They wanted a software engineer in Oregon who could go out to the Intel sites when needed to help look at issues they're having in order to better support them.

My training in Taiwan has been fairly busy, and my manager & others here have been showing me a lot of things. I've taken as many notes as I can, and have also recorded Teams meetings I've had of various training sessions.

I had never been to Taiwan (or Asia) before, so this trip has been interesting, though focused mainly on work. The company wanted me to come here for training rather quickly after I joined, and I was a little nervous about traveling here and being away from home & my wife etc. for this long, but I think the trip has been good overall. I'm looking forward to coming home in a couple days.

Nightfox

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Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: Nightfox to All on Tue Aug 04 2026 10:21 pm

I guess I hadn't posted about this here yet.. I started a new job about a month ago, and currently I'm in Taiwan for training. I've been here for a few weeks already (I left the US July 13th), and I return in a couple days, on August 7.
...
I had never been to Taiwan (or Asia) before, so this trip has been interesting, though focused mainly on work. The company wanted me to come here for training rather quickly after I joined, and I was a little nervous about traveling here and being away from home & my wife etc. for this long, but I think the trip has been good overall. I'm looking forward to coming home in a couple days.

Congrats on the new job! Yeah, I can imagine being halfway around the world for that long could be unnerving. Safe travels home!

|08ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
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Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: Nightfox to All on Tue Aug 04 2026 10:21 pm

I guess I hadn't posted about this here yet.. I started a new job about a month ago, and currently I'm in Taiwan for training.

Congrats and Good Luck on the new job.

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Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: Codefenix to Nightfox on Wed Aug 05 2026 08:20 am

Congrats on the new job! Yeah, I can imagine being halfway around the world for that long could be unnerving. Safe travels home!

Thanks!

Nightfox

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Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: Bf2k+ to Nightfox on Wed Aug 05 2026 10:30 am

Congrats and Good Luck on the new job.

Thanks!

Nightfox

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Nightfox wrote to All <=-

I guess I hadn't posted about this here yet.. I started a new job
about a month ago, and currently I'm in Taiwan for training. I've been here for a few weeks already (I left the US July 13th), and I return in
a couple days, on August 7.

Congrats on the job, and for leaving your BBS and having it stay up!



... Adding on
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Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: Nightfox to All on Tue Aug 04 2026 10:21 pm

I guess I hadn't posted about this here yet.. I started a new job about a month ago, and currently I'm in Taiwan for training. I've been here for a f

Congratulations on the new gig! Very cool. Do you think you'll be going out there often?

What's the best food you've had in Taiwan so far?

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Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: phigan to Nightfox on Thu Aug 06 2026 08:55 pm

I guess I hadn't posted about this here yet.. I started a new job about a
month ago, and currently I'm in Taiwan for training. I've been here for a f

Congratulations on the new gig! Very cool. Do you think you'll be going out there often?

I doubt it, mainly because in my experience, companies like to try to avoid paying for travel expenses if possible since it can be expensive. Also, I wouldn't particulary want to be traveling for work very often (and being away from home etc.). They said it's possible I could travel to other places, but similarly, I hope I don't need to travel for work very often, and if I do, I hope I don't need to be away for very long.

What's the best food you've had in Taiwan so far?

I just came back to the US today - but for food there, I think dumplings were some of my favorite things to eat there. And in particular, one day for lunch, my manager and I went to eat at a Taiwanese restaurant chain called Din Tai Fung, and we had some dumplings, fried rice, and some other things. It turns out Din Tai Fung has some international locations, and they have a location in my area too..

Nightfox

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Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: Nightfox to phigan on Fri Aug 07 2026 11:48 pm

I doubt it, mainly because in my experience, companies like to try to avoid paying for travel expenses if possible since it can be expensive. Also, I

Maybe these days.. and maybe depending on the employer. My old company forced corp CCs on us and made it so we could more easily book travel through our internal site!

Dumplings are delicious. Awesome about Din Tai Fung.

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Nightfox wrote to phigan <=-

I doubt it, mainly because in my experience, companies like to try to avoid paying for travel expenses if possible since it can be expensive.

I just left a job supporting wind and solar farms, and the expectation
was 50% travel. Not to exciting places, but mostly rural areas in the
midwest.

I did get to go to Port Hardy in British Columbia, though - stunning.

I miss in-person conferences (and the schwag). I loved when the first
schwag you'd pick up was a backpack to fit all of the other schwag in.

Going to an online conference with "virtual schwag" just doesn't cut
it.



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phigan wrote to Nightfox <=-

Maybe these days.. and maybe depending on the employer. My old company forced corp CCs on us and made it so we could more easily book travel through our internal site!

We just spun off from our parent company and one of the debates is
whether or not to allow people to book travel outside of our T&E
platform. Booking platforms make sense for larger companies, but I
usually end up pre-shopping on Kayak and wondering why my dedicated
travel booking app can't find the same deals. Or sometimes, the same
hotels!

I *hate* the platform! Here's a flight that's 4 hours longer with 2
stops, but it's $5 cheaper. You'll need manager approval to book your
non-stop flight!

Why don't you want to stay in the hotel downtown with no parking, a
high crime rate and $30 internet?



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Re: Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: poindexter FORTRAN to Nightfox on Sat Aug 08 2026 08:06 am

I just left a job supporting wind and solar farms, and the expectation was 50% travel. Not to exciting places, but mostly rural areas in the midwest.

I'd hesitate to start a job that requires that much travel.. If a current job starts demanding more travel, I'd probably consider looking elsewhere for work.

I did get to go to Port Hardy in British Columbia, though - stunning.

Canada is a country I'd like to see more of.

Nightfox

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Re: Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: poindexter FORTRAN to phigan on Sat Aug 08 2026 08:06 am

We just spun off from our parent company and one of the debates is whether or not to allow people to book travel outside of our T&E platform. Booking platforms make sense for larger companies, but I usually end up pre-shopping on Kayak and wondering why my dedicated travel booking app can't find the same deals. Or sometimes, the same hotels!

I *hate* the platform! Here's a flight that's 4 hours longer with 2 stops, but it's $5 cheaper. You'll need manager approval to book your non-stop flight!

Why don't you want to stay in the hotel downtown with no parking, a high crime rate and $30 internet?

That would be really frustrating.. And if there's no parking at the hotel, well maybe the company would be willing to reimburse you for Uber (or regular taxi) rides.

For my recent work trip to Taiwan, they simply recommended I take Uber between the hotel and the office. I probably wouldn't have wanted to drive in Taiwan anyway, as traffic is a bit different there.

Nightfox

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Nightfox wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-

I'd hesitate to start a job that requires that much travel.. If a
current job starts demanding more travel, I'd probably consider looking elsewhere for work.

My current job was going away, and this opportunity was a good learning
experience. At the end of the day, I traveled a couple of times a
year, not the 50% my boss did.



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Nightfox wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-

For my recent work trip to Taiwan, they simply recommended I take Uber between the hotel and the office. I probably wouldn't have wanted to drive in Taiwan anyway, as traffic is a bit different there.

If they drive on the right side of the road, I could probably fake it.
Driving in England was... harrowing. Between driving on the other side
and driving an SUV (I was used to a subcompact EV) I was sure I was
going to sideswipe something.

But, as the rental agent said, "You paid for full insurance. If you can
get all of the bits and bobs back here when you're done, we're good..."



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Re: Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: poindexter FORTRAN to Nightfox on Mon Aug 10 2026 08:33 am

For my recent work trip to Taiwan, they simply recommended I take Uber
between the hotel and the office. I probably wouldn't have wanted to
drive in Taiwan anyway, as traffic is a bit different there.

If they drive on the right side of the road, I could probably fake it. Driving in England was... harrowing. Between driving on the other side and driving an SUV (I was used to a subcompact EV) I was sure I was going to sideswipe something.

But, as the rental agent said, "You paid for full insurance. If you can get all of the bits and bobs back here when you're done, we're good..."

It's good you came out of that okay. :)

In Taiwan, they drive on the right, but I noticed some differences traffic in the way people drive.. One thing is that mopeds are very popular there, and on most roads, there would be a bunch of people on mopeds, and even driving in between the cars & such, so you'd have to be really careful. Also, it seems people often don't give people much room to turn, change lanes, etc., which would be another challenge.

Nightfox

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POINDEXTER FORTRAN wrote to NIGHTFOX <=-

If they drive on the right side of the road, I could probably fake it. Driving in England was... harrowing. Between driving on the other side
and driving an SUV (I was used to a subcompact EV) I was sure I was
going to sideswipe something.

I feel wary hiring a car there. I just use public transport. Next month its London to Manchester with a side trip to Liverpool then back to London to go home.

Yes, I should learn how to drive better so I can visit places in Scotland.


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Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: Matthew Munson to POINDEXTER FORTRAN on Mon Aug 10 2026 09:44 pm

If they drive on the right side of the road, I could probably fake it.
Driving in England was... harrowing. Between driving on the other side
and driving an SUV (I was used to a subcompact EV) I was sure I was going
to sideswipe something.

I feel wary hiring a car there. I just use public transport. Next month its London to Manchester with a side trip to Liverpool then back to London to go home.

What do you mean by "hiring" a car? Is that another way of saying renting a car?

Nightfox

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Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: phigan to Nightfox on Sat Aug 08 2026 03:33:54

Dumplings are delicious. Awesome about Din Tai Fung.

Din Tai fung.
Fung for the whole family. :)

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Re: Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: Nightfox to poindexter FORTRAN on Sat Aug 08 2026 10:29:47

Canada is a country I'd like to see more of.

If you can, do it by train. I took a train from Windsor to Toronto and saw some nice countryside, as well as some wind farms, which I'd never seen in-person before.

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Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: Mortar to phigan on Tue Aug 11 2026 01:17 pm

Din Tai fung.
Fung for the whole family. :)

More fung than you can shake a dumpling
at.

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Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: Matthew Munson to POINDEXTER FORTRAN on Mon Aug 10 2026 21:44:00

...with a side trip to Liverpool...

Don't forget to visit The Cavern Club.

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Re: Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: Mortar to Nightfox on Tue Aug 11 2026 01:28 pm

Canada is a country I'd like to see more of.

If you can, do it by train. I took a train from Windsor to Toronto and saw some nice countryside, as well as some wind farms, which I'd never seen in-person before.

I've seen videos on YouTube talking about train trips across Canada - It looks like such a train trip would be awesome.

Nightfox

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Matthew Munson wrote to POINDEXTER FORTRAN <=-

Yes, I should learn how to drive better so I can visit places in
Scotland.

One of the things that attracts me to the UK is having a decent rail
system. Edinburgh was a 3 1/2 hour train ride from London, last time I
checked.



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Nightfox wrote to Mortar <=-

I've seen videos on YouTube talking about train trips across Canada -
It looks like such a train trip would be awesome.

I hope the Canadian rail system has better accomodations than Amtrak.
:)



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Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: Nightfox to Matthew Munson on Tue Aug 11 2026 08:14 am

I feel wary hiring a car there. I just use public transport. Next month
its London to Manchester with a side trip to Liverpool then back to
London to go home.

What do you mean by "hiring" a car? Is that another way of saying renting a car?

It's how the british say "rent a car"

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Re: Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: poindexter FORTRAN to Nightfox on Wed Aug 12 2026 06:31 am

Nightfox wrote to Mortar <=-

I've seen videos on YouTube talking about train trips across Canada - It
looks like such a train trip would be awesome.

I hope the Canadian rail system has better accomodations than Amtrak. :)

We took the Via Rails Canadian from Vancouver to Jasper and stayed in a sleeper cabin. It was an awesome trip, especially after a fresh snow during the night. We plan on going from Vancouver to Quebec City next December (three separate trains altogether).

Via Rails is the Canadaian version of Amtrak. The cabin for two is much smaller than the Amtrak version and it does not have a shower ensuite. But you spend most of your time either in the bullet lounge, dining car or up in the sightseer dome car anyway. However, for 4 x the price of the sleeper cabin for two, you can go with Via Rail's Prestige class and get a huge bedroom (as far as trains are concerned) with your own bathroom and shower.

lw
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Re: Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: poindexter FORTRAN to Matthew Munson on Wed Aug 12 2026 06:31 am

One of the things that attracts me to the UK is having a decent rail system. Edinburgh was a 3 1/2 hour train ride from London, last time I checked.

My wife and I made that very train ride in October - from Edinburgh to London. I think it was a little closer to 4 hours, but yeah, right around there. It's a few hours faster than driving (according to a Google Maps estimate that I checked), and using the train is very easy.

We visited 3 cities: Paris, Edinburgh, and London, and we decided to take the train from Edinburgh to London, and I was nicely surprised at how easy the train ride was. I initially thought of flying from Edinburgh to London, but I actually think the train was much easier than flying would have been.

That particular train ride goes between the Waverly train station in Edinburgh and the King's Cross train station in London. There were no security checks like they do at the airport, and they didn't check passports or anything when crossing the border between Scotland and England (which I suppose makes sense since it's all part of the UK). The train has a space for big luggage as well as overhead luggage compartments. The big lugggage space is limited, but the number of people needing that is probably small.

I've been to the UK twice now, and I've very much enjoyted visiting the UK. My wife and I also both really like Scotland, and we could picture living there, though we probably won't move there since our families are here.

Nightfox

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Re: Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: Nightfox to poindexter FORTRAN on Fri Aug 14 2026 14:48:18

One of the things that attracts me to the UK is having a decent rail
system. Edinburgh was a 3 1/2 hour train ride from London, last time I
checked.

Sounds like a cool trip. My partner and I are going to Edinburgh next month. We don't plan on travelling to London, but have planned a steam train ride up to the west coast. I am a train fanatic. :-)

Bluesfyre
Central Ontario Remote Synchro
centralontarioremote.net:2323

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Re: Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: Bluesfyre to Nightfox on Sat Aug 15 2026 08:15 pm

One of the things that attracts me to the UK is having a decent rail
system. Edinburgh was a 3 1/2 hour train ride from London, last time I
checked.

Sounds like a cool trip. My partner and I are going to Edinburgh next

You replied to me, but I didn't write what you quoted.. Probably better to reply to the appropriate person/message.

Nightfox

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Re: Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: Nightfox to Bluesfyre on Sat Aug 15 2026 21:51:00

By: Bluesfyre to Nightfox on Sat Aug 15 2026 08:15 pm

You replied to me, but I didn't write what you quoted.. Probably better to reply to the appropriate person/message.

I terribly sorry. Missed it.

Bluesfyre
Central Ontario Remote Synchro
centralontarioremote.net:2323

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Re: Re: Visiting Taiwan for work
By: Bluesfyre to Nightfox on Sun Aug 16 2026 06:57 pm

You replied to me, but I didn't write what you quoted.. Probably better
to reply to the appropriate person/message.

I terribly sorry. Missed it.

No biggie. :)

Nightfox

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