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Power Scheme for OLPC Project Falling Into Place

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the pulling-for-pleasure-says-george-carlin dept.

robotrachel writes "According to Technology Review, the $100 laptop intended for children in the developing world will be powered in much the same way that you might start an outboard motor on a boat. The new power system will 'make the laptop much easier to power than it would be with a hand crank, in part, because the users will be able to operate the generator in a variety of ways, including holding the device (the size of two hockey pucks) in one hand and pulling the string with the other, or clamping the generator to a desk, attaching the string to one foot, and using leg power.'" There are plenty of sewing machine treadles in the world, too -- I hope someone can figure out a way to combine them with the new design.

5 of 126 comments (clear)

  1. Great by tweek · · Score: 5, Funny

    There are plenty of sewing machine treadles in the world, too -- I hope someone can figure out a way to combine them with the new design.


    The next generation of geek will have massive calfs and thighs instead of a single massive forearm ;)
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    1. Re:Great by tktk · · Score: 5, Funny
      You underestimate the power of porn.

      Geeks will always have one massive forearm.

  2. Profit? by Red+Flayer · · Score: 3, Funny
    There are plenty of sewing machine treadles in the world, too -- I hope someone can figure out a way to combine them with the new design.
    That gives me an idea -- I'm going to ride the technology wave by converting all the 8-year-old sewing-machine-treadle-operators in my sweatshops into 8-year-old server-farm-power-treadle-treadlers.

    To anyone who objects, please note that this is a carbon-neutral technology and therefore won't contribute to global warming except for the hot air from 'activists.' The Free Market -- gotta love it!
    --
    "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
  3. Aha! At last the GET-RICH scheme is revealed... by bratwiz · · Score: 5, Funny


    Aha! At least the get-rich scheme is revealed... hook them on pull-string laptops and then sell them replacement strings when the string breaks... ingenious! My hat's off to you Nicholas Negroponte!!! :)

  4. Re:Solar Cells? by brunson · · Score: 4, Funny

    Plus, it involves geeks going out into the sunlight. I, for one, don't want to lose my unhealthy pallor.

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