Power Scheme for OLPC Project Falling Into Place

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.

Comments

Sweat Shops

[frosty_tsm]

Powering these laptops will be no sweat.

I mean, these children of the 3rd world already know how to power a sewing machine as they've (sadly) worked in sweat shops all their lives.

Is it just me or ..

[Rorian]

does the concept of a pull-string operated laptop seem a little insulting?

Also, what real use can you glean from a PC these days, without a network connection? 90% of the use I get out of my PC is from the broadband connection giving me access to wikipedia, google, various developer networks, digg & slashdot.

So does anyone out there have a non-connected PC hooked up performing some life-changing work, or are they just useless when disconnected from the wwworld?

Re:Open Karma Economy

[Doc Ruby]

Some Anonymous boring Coward complains that my specific, detailed open "source" proposal on Slashdot gets modded up, boosting my karma, and I'm supposed to care? As if karma were "embezzled" from you? I guess you'd prefer that we post boring, vague, unpopular, useless posts like yours. That would keep the "economy" in perfect, useless, working order.

You're almost as bad as that other Anonymous Coward.