2kmaro
Think
Premium,ExMod 1 BC
join:2000-07-11
ColossalCave
clubs:  
| I'll Take a DOZEN!
No use for them? If I can figure a way to power them without having to hand-crank all the time, I'll take a dozen and put them to work for:
Team Discovery
SETI @ Home
Folding @ Home
and maybe even some of our other worthwhile distributed computing projects! 
--
...then THINK! again!! |
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shaner
Premium
join:2000-10-04
Calgary, AB
| We're talking about a hand crank laptop for poor areas which don't have access to reliable electricity.
Can somebody please tell me what these laptops are going to be used for? If they don't have electricity, I'm sure the 'net isn't around either. What software are they going to give them to put on the laptop?
Kind of reminds me of when the Canadian government sent over dozens of Massy-Ferguson tractors to help out farmers in poor areas. Problem is, those farmers not only didn't have access to, they couldn't afford to buy any....gasoline. This project will be wasted too, if somebody doesn't have a plan on what to do with these laptops.
--
Click this and read. -> »www.actsofgord.com/
»Canadian Wireless FAQ
I'm laying pipe,
all night long,
laying pipe,
to satisfy that woman.
- David Wilcox |
|
2kmaro
Think
Premium,ExMod 1 BC
join:2000-07-11
ColossalCave
clubs:
| I agree - without a supporting infrastructure, they're pretty much useless. Probably not even sturdy enough to pound tent stakes with.
But WITH a plan, and at least support at "outposts" or schools, then they could be an immense help. There is nothing like the free exchange of information to bring people together, to help them realize ideas to make their lives better, and to simply learn of alternative solutions to problems they have.
But I agree - when you're primary concern is where your next meal is coming from, having an inedible computer at your beck and call is pretty much an insignificant event.
--
...then THINK! again!! |
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Jedispara
join:2005-06-27
London, ON | reply to shaner
Just because they don't have the net, it won't negate the usefulness as a tool. If they load them up with educational software before they are sent down, it could still be useful until/if they get the internet. |
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shaner
Premium
join:2000-10-04
Calgary, AB
| How much software could there be on this thing? I've read the above article and others, and I've never seen what they're putting on it. The novelty will wear off after a month, and then you're back at square one.
--
Click this and read. -> »www.actsofgord.com/
»Canadian Wireless FAQ
I'm laying pipe,
all night long,
laying pipe,
to satisfy that woman.
- David Wilcox |
|
Transmaster
Don't Blame Me I Voted For Bill and Opus
join:2001-06-20
Cheyenne, WY | reply to 2kmaro
I would love to have a couple of these crank-ups to stash in my emergency communications station I keep in a foot locker.
These would be great to have in a communications emergency. |
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shimonmor
join:2000-12-30
Sedro Woolley, WA
 ·wavebroadband
| reply to shaner
I think this all boils down to one big PR stunt to make people feel better about themselves. "Look at what a big hearted stud I am: I helped disadvantaged people improve themselves!" Who is going to provide tech support and help for these laptops? They will be delivered and all the liberals will cheer and that'll be the end of it. As for the third world disadvantaged folks...they will end up using the laptops as seat cushions. |
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Andrew J
Premium
join:2001-11-09
Lancaster, PA
clubs: | It's a fun project for the privileged.
*Spoiler*
They will be sold by the skid on ebay, by the governments that seize them.
--
Best Team. |
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kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY
 ·T-Mobile US
| reply to shaner
said by shaner  :We're talking about a hand crank laptop for poor areas which don't have access to reliable electricity. Can somebody please tell me what these laptops are going to be used for? If they don't have electricity, I'm sure the 'net isn't around either. What software are they going to give them to put on the laptop? Kind of reminds me of when the Canadian government sent over dozens of Massy-Ferguson tractors to help out farmers in poor areas. Problem is, those farmers not only didn't have access to, they couldn't afford to buy any....gasoline. This project will be wasted too, if somebody doesn't have a plan on what to do with these laptops. OMFG... why don't you *READ* before you post these silly questions?
1. 1 min cranking = 40 mins working
2. Have you heard about mesh-based networks? I highly doubt it...
3. Laptop runs linux and comes with everything.
And for somebody who came up with that "very smart" point they don't have shelter: schools will get the laptops.
WHy don't you guys do yourself a favor and read up on the fuckin story before you post such dumb questions like these?
That's the minimum, I gues even in Africa... |
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shaner
Premium
join:2000-10-04
Calgary, AB
2 edits | said by kamm : OMFG... why don't you *READ* before you post these silly questions? Ok, I'll bite.
quote:
1. 1 min cranking = 40 mins working
That's great. And what are they going to do with it for those 40 minutes? I'm not disparaging the technology, I'm questioning the worth of this particular project.
quote:
2. Have you heard about mesh-based networks? I highly doubt it...
You're wrong, I do know what mesh-based networks are. So, Johnny Genius, who are they going to network with? Each other? After 3 minutes of IM'ing their neighbours, somebody's going to figure out it's just as easy to go outside and actually talk to their neighbour. Remember, we're talking about simple laptops here. Nobody has mentioned hand cranked servers or d-slams or nodes. They're not getting on the internet here when there's no internet infrastructure.
quote:
3. Laptop runs linux and comes with everything.
Well, that explains everything then. They'll be sharing the latest Linux distro in no time, coming on here and saying how Gnome beats Winblow$ hands down, bitching about how their hand cranked Dslams are throttling BT traffic etc... 
So it runs Linux and comes with 'everything'. What is everything? Open Office? Gimp? Age of Empires III?
WHy don't you guys do yourself a favor and read up on the fuckin story before you post such dumb questions like these?
That's the minimum, I gues even in Africa...
So why can't you read between the lines and come up with some critical questions which deserve answers? Oh, that would require critical thinking instead of pablum regurgitation.
--
Click this and read. -> »www.actsofgord.com/
»Canadian Wireless FAQ
I'm laying pipe,
all night long,
laying pipe,
to satisfy that woman.
- David Wilcox
|
|
Roop
join:2003-11-15
Ottawa, ON
 ·Cybersurf Corporat..
1 edit | reply to kamm
omg you're my hero for the day. thank you.
regarding the ad-hoc networking... i thought that they would get maybe some kinda wireless connectivity... stick one tower or baloon and give lotsa people access.
the software bit, i don't think they are loading encyclopaedeas on laptops for 100$... hmmm.... |
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visio
join:2001-08-29
Clifton, NJ | reply to shaner
classic, i couldnt have put this better myself. |
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shimonmor
join:2000-12-30
Sedro Woolley, WA
·wavebroadband
| reply to 2kmaro
said by 2kmaro :There is nothing like the free exchange of information to bring people together, to help them realize ideas to make their lives better, and to simply learn of alternative solutions to problems they have. Or they can see how the rest of the world lives and become jealous and turn into suicide bombers like a lot people from arab countries.
Sometimes information can be good...other times not so good. Depends. |
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Dan
Hamilton Tigers?
Premium
join:2002-12-17
Eh?
·Rogers Hi-Speed
| reply to shaner
Shaner, it's because in theory, all the children in the 3rd world have a hand-crank laptop, they will all connect to eachother.
They are supposed to be using mesh networking. It's a great idea, but again, EVERYONE needs a laptop over there, other wise the range from our current wireless networking standards just don't see the range it would need.
--
My name is Dan.
You want more.
I get it.
|
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shaner
Premium
join:2000-10-04
Calgary, AB
| And what is the range of Mesh Networking? Even if every child does get one, it won't do much to connect outside of town. So then, if everyone connected is simply talking to thier neighbours, why not just go outside and talk to them?
I understand what you're saying, I just don't think it's practical.
--
Click this and read. -> »www.actsofgord.com/
»Canadian Wireless FAQ
I'm laying pipe,
all night long,
laying pipe,
to satisfy that woman.
- David Wilcox |
|
John Galt
Forward, March
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
·CenturyLink
| said by shaner :And what is the range of Mesh Networking? Even if every child does get one, it won't do much to connect outside of town. So then, if everyone connected is simply talking to thier neighbours, why not just go outside and talk to them? Wireless internet is on the way to these locations...soon. It can be deployed very rapidly.
--
A is A |
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shaner
Premium
join:2000-10-04
Calgary, AB | Without reliable electricity?
I know it can be deployed very fast, but who's going to pay for it? Are these poor people going to be given free internet? Because they sure can't afford to pay for it. |
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John Galt
Forward, March
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
·CenturyLink
| said by shaner :Without reliable electricity? I know it can be deployed very fast, but who's going to pay for it? Are these poor people going to be given free internet? Because they sure can't afford to pay for it. Solar...for example. There are other sources of power...methane, biodiesel, bike-generators. Stop thinking like a "first-worlder"...! 
Yes, they will get free Internet.
It will be paid for by NGO's.
--
A is A |
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kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY
·T-Mobile US
2 edits | reply to shaner
said by shaner :said by kamm : OMFG... why don't you *READ* before you post these silly questions? Ok, I'll bite. No, you can't bite, only bark.
quote:
1. 1 min cranking = 40 mins working
That's great. And what are they going to do with it for those 40 minutes? I'm not disparaging the technology, I'm questioning the worth of this particular project. Because you're obviously way too narrow minded. When you don't have power at all, this 40 mins per cranking mean everything.
If you'd have read anything before you posted this barking, you'd know these untis will be distributed via schools, for kids - for kids whom it *DOES* matter whether they grow up completely illiteral in computing - pretty much like you are on Africa apparently :P - or not.
Also there many areas where power is available but only in main locations ie schools, vilage centers.
2. Have you heard about mesh-based networks? I highly doubt it...
You're wrong, I do know what mesh-based networks are. So, Johnny Genius, who are they going to network with? Each other?
For example. Perfect for learning together. But Dumb & Dumber, what do you actually know about the plan? Not too much, huh? Listen...
After 3 minutes of IM'ing their neighbours, somebody's going to figure out it's just as easy to go outside and actually talk to their neighbour. Remember, we're talking about simple laptops here. Nobody has mentioned hand cranked servers or d-slams or nodes. They're not getting on the internet here when there's no internet infrastructure.
Again: why don't you read a little bit before you claim you know what's this plan is about?
They said they will set up regional centers for the mesh - one would think you shouldn't be a genius to figure out this... it's more than obvious if you'd think (o at least read) a little - the closest you are to the center, the biger the load your point will carry, so obviously they need to set up several regional centers.
Laptop runs linux and comes with everything.
Well, that explains everything then. They'll be sharing the latest Linux distro in no time, coming on here and saying how Gnome beats Winblow$ hands down, bitching about how their hand cranked Dslams are throttling BT traffic etc...
So it runs Linux and comes with 'everything'. What is everything? Open Office? Gimp? Age of Empires III?
Exactly: full office suit, Gimp, whatever is considered necessary for basic computer usage. FYI: AoEII is NOT considered basic necessity (though I'm sure they will get TuxRacer and such).
WHy don't you guys do yourself a favor and read up on the fuckin story before you post such dumb questions like these?
That's the minimum, I gues even in Africa...
So why can't you read between the lines and come up with some critical questions which deserve answers? Oh, that would require critical thinking instead of pablum regurgitation. |
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kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY
·T-Mobile US
1 edit | reply to shaner
said by shaner :Without reliable electricity? There are many ways to get electricity. Also there are many places in Africa where electricity can be built very cheap or already working fine.
I know it can be deployed very fast, but who's going to pay for it? Are these poor people going to be given free internet? Because they sure can't afford to pay for it.
Nobody.
Yes.
Exactly.
World is big. Full of wonders. Get out there, travel outside of US and experience a little bit, my son. |
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