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Wireless Pedal Power Computing in Laos

Posted by Hemos on from the power-of-the-body dept.

An anonymous reader writes "'An innovative, pedal powered, wireless network provides Internet access to off-grid villages in Laos,' using LINUX-based software which is being localised into the Lao language. The 'Jhai Foundation's makes the Jhari computer, which consists of a single-board PC (the MZ-104 based upon the Mach-Z single-chip computer - equivalent to a 133 MHz 486 system), uses "embedded" circuit boards, the sort that are used in industrial equipment, and is devoid of moving parts such as fans or disc drives, made to operate for long periods of time without service or attention.'"

3 of 140 comments (clear)

  1. Why am I not doing this? by JanMark · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It seems to me the project isn't finished by far. But I feel envious, here are people doing good for a large group of people that need it the most. Other goups come to mind. Why don't *I* do something like this? It would make the world a better place and I would have fun doning it. Infact, why are we not all do something like this?

    --
    -- (:> jms cs.vu.nl (_) --"---
  2. This is good stuff by Trane+Francks · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Sure, a 486-class system will be sluggish with KDE, but as long as it has a healthy dose of RAM, it'll do fine.

    As for the banal comments about Laotian/third-world intelligence, the fact is that these people are human beings with the very same potential that we all have. The difference is that many of them have simply not had the same opportunities. This project aims to rectify that problem. A Cisco and Dilbert 2-thumbs up!

    While watching Discovery Channel here in Tokyo a month ago or so (I admit it, I'm a Discovery junkie), an interesting comment regarding mammoth-hunting early homo sapiens was made. The jist of it was that if you took one of these early homo sapiens and raised them in our world, they'd have just as much potential for success as any of us.

    I would hope that might make folks who spew "third-world-stupid" comments think twice before doing so. Opportunistically challenged does not equate with stupid. Unless, of course, you're married to your sister and live in a trailor park somewhere in the South. :-P

    --
    ...a FreeDOS contributor: http://www.freedos.org/
  3. the mean machine by BritInParis · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Wouldn't it be interesting to have a race for the "most usable minimalist machine for daily use", instead of the biggest, brightest, prettiest, etc.

    I mean, what does it take to browse the internet, receive email, write a letter, do kitchen maths, and some coding ?
    It would make a change from hyping the latest graphics card and fastest cpu and prettiest casings....