Thin Client With OSS for Developing Nations

FridayBob writes "The BBC has a story on a new, ultra-thin client that a group of not-for-profit developers, Ndiyo, hope will open up the potential of computing to people in the developing world. Not surprisingly, their system uses open source software. The system runs Ubuntu Linux with a Gnome/KDE deskto and OpenOffice. From the article: 'Licences for software are often a significant part of expenditure for smaller companies which rely on computers. But a recent UK government study, yet to be formally published, has shown that open source software can significantly reduce school budgets dedicated to computing set-ups.'"

Comments

Re:Development begins at home

[shobadobs]

I yell "lol ownzed" at homeless people as I drive by them in my BMW and I picket charities because people would better use their money for themselves. Whenever I'm done with hardware, I burn it because it's MINE and I'll be damned if anybody else is going to use it. And rather than spending thousands of hours per year preaching to city council about how technology can create opportunities for disadvantaged people, I spend thousands of hours per year helping some poor folks in Nigeria find willing volunteers to help transfer their millions out of the country.

Am I bad?

Re:Nonsense.

[ky11x]

Rather convenient that you don't name this "country" you live in, isn't it? If this fictitious country of yours has inflated prices due to import duties, how will the proposed thin clients help? They also have to be imported, and will end up costing "$1000" as you say. Either you are telling the truth and this new product is utterly useless to you (in which case the point made at the beginning of this thread stands) or you are trolling.

Re:The third world need wireless mesh.

[killjoe]

Typical ignorant american who thinks everybody outside of the US is scratching at the ground digging up roots to eat.