deeosull

Hi,
I'm expecting to move to Saudi, working for saudi aramco and based in Dhahran in the next couple of weeks, just waiting for the embassy to stamp by passport. Can anyone let me know what the situation is with downloading tv over the internet, i.e. desperate housewives, lost and greys anatomy.

I've read that they have some super duper system, which blocks anything they deem unsuitable being downloaded, would these programmes be considered unsuitable.

Any information would be helpful

Thanks

The Dean

No problem. Aramco are one of my clients, and their HQ is like a mini-city in itself (one of the few places in KSA where women and men mix freely, and woman don't 'cover up'), and it takes ages simply to drive from one side to the other.

I'm sure TV shows like you mention are freely available, because they allow all the regional networks to broadcast in. If not, the DVDs will be on sale there.

deeosull

Thanks for the info.

Eeyore

You can see all the programmes you mention on TV out here, but usually they are anything from 1-3 years behind the UK and USA, they won't be in widescreen, they may be censored, and they'll have Arabic subtitles. The exceptions are the soaps, which are generally only a few days behind.

As far as the internet goes, it's impossible for them to block you from downloading specific programmes they consider unsuitable, so they go for the sledgehammer option and block access to torrent sites so you can't download *anything*.

This can be circumvented easily enough by using a VPN, though

Spugsy

whats a VPL??

Madam Medusa

visible panty line...what a random thing to ask on a download thread...

MM, xx

Inselaffen

Visible Panty Line - completely unacceptable over here!!

Spugsy

yeah so I've noticed,

shame really...

Eeyore

Ah, not if you're deliberately misunderstanding something for "comedy" effect

deeosull

okay, call me stupid but what is a VPN, I really don't want to go cold turkey

Eeyore

Virtual Private Network. At its most basic, it encrypts the data being sent to and from your computer so the censoring proxy doesn't recognise it and can't block it.

You can buy annual subscriptions to VPN services very cheaply, but that sort of thing is best not discussed publicly

leena

hi deeosull

i'm from Saudi Arabia ,, Al-Dhahran city ,, your neighbour

first of all welcome to KSA .. hope you like it in here

and i think Aramco is a great plcae to work in .. good luck there .

about the shows you mentioned ..

they are available on TV ( but maybe the 1st two seasons )

and on the internet too ( last seasons )

if you want any help just ask me .. I may have them on my PC

cause i watch Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewifes too