Pedal Powered Wireless Networked Computer?

Friends of Jhai asks: "An NGO called Jhai Foundation, which is building Internet learning Centers in Laos has enlisted Computer Hall-of-Famer Lee Felsenstein to build a cheap, locally assembled, wirlelessly networked PC and communications system. The current details of the machine are here and the application is here. They are looking for similar systems under way that they might work with or which might be ready for deployment. Anyone have any URL's we can check out?" Great! Now you can get your computing and exercising done at the same time! What other types of technology have people managed to adapt to man-power as opposed to boring ol' AC outlets?

Comments

I have to start taking steroids..

[Frank of Earth]

.. just to pedal fast enough to get up to 55 FPS in quake3

Re:I have to start taking steroids..

[thefalconer]

OH my gosh. That would be just insane. But I do admit it would be a great way for a true geek to get his excercise. Just think of it. Your batteries are running low, the storms are raging outside, no power, wireless lan, and everyone's playing Unreal and is so deeply involved that they immediately switch over to their petal power to keep on fragging and next thing you know you're heaving and sweating with the game. Wow, now I have an excuse to excercise and frag at the same time! Now if they could just invent the holodeck, then I could frag in real time. :D

You sure Coke didn't put them up to this?

[TurboDog99]

If people are gonna be doing manual labor at their computers, they'll need more energy.

The ultimate Geek workout

[ericdano]

Imagine that all those over weight geeks (*cough* cowboy neal) who would be slim if they had to pedal to play on the computer. All those stats that america is getting fatter, etc. Make those gaming kids have to pedal to play PS/2, or Gamecube, or PC games...... It could be a great thing.

ESPN did a commercial with lance armstrong

[reschly]

check it out here (.mpg file)

Re:ESPN did a commercial with lance armstrong

[evilpenguin]

"I believe the [existence] of women is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

From this I deduce that you have a relatively small experience of women. Not that men are a source of constant joy to womankind either, mind. If the existence of sex proves anything about God, it is that he(?) has a rather cruel sense of humor.

Benjamin Franklin said this originally, only he was talking about beer, which, I think, is a statement much closer to the truth.

Please feel free to moderate this as offtopic, since it certainly is, but some sigs must be answered. I posted without the bonus...

Tomorrows news

[riflemann]

Local laos man suffers sudden heart attack

A man in Laos suffered a sudden heart attack when the computer he was powering by pedal received a massive DOS attack and quadrupled its power needs.
Local authorities beleive the DOS attack was caused after a neighbour, whom he has had many problems with, posted the address of the pedal powered computer to a popular web site.

Re:Problems down the road

[ptomblin]

If you've got a computer that an ordinary mortal could pedal power, would adding Lance Armstrong overclock it?

Great...

[Anonymous Coward]

now people will have leg/foot problems in addition to hand RSI.

Looks like...

[Lord_Slepnir]

The first reported death due to the slashdot effect.