I'm pretty sure the weakness goes all the way down to th protocol. A remote X client program wouldn't be able to accomodate significant differences between two different servers, should such differences exist (screen size, color map, etc.). The X server can be thought of as a 'thin client' but very complex, it's behavior being closely tied to the hardware configuration on which it's run.
Screen, and any apps the user may run under it, are all 'server side', requiring only a thin client (a basic terminal emulator and ssh or telnet) on the remote end(s). Little accomodation need me made at the server side, simply because it has low expectations to begin with.
My "neterotextual" desktop includes screen, BitTornado (buttorrent), muttella(filesharing), centericq (IM), mutt (mail), pal (calendar), tdl (to-do), sclj (livejournal client), w3m (web browser), wget , ncftp, netcat, bash and vi. I've been looking at using a combination of blosxom and some wiki software for keeping prgress notes and such; bryar is looking very good at this moment.
Yo, A.C.: You're right, as long as you look at it from a "PC in every hut" perspective.
You are correct in prioritizing drinking water, sanitation, and medicine among the Laotians greatest needs. This computing and communications initiative should be purposed as a tool for community support. Wireless communications relayed from ridgetop to ridgetop by will give these remote communities access to information resources in larger, urban areas that can enhance the communities ability to sustain it's own needs.
Some of the populated areas in Laos are similar to terrains in the Americas that we call "damn-near innaccessible". Parts cannot just be fed-exed for reparing water pumps and filtration systems. The Laotians need solutions based as much as possible on sustainable technology that they can maintain and repair without unneccessary external logistics. And when thing really get FUBAR, they need access to expert information on how to proceed with repairs, or arrange for ordering and transport of replacement parts... even plan for community growth. The system can be used to receive informational materials to train locals in the basic use and repair of infrastructure.
There is no "minor medical emergency center" down the block in these areas. When medical needs go beyond first aid, these people could benefit from even the most basic access to the advice of a physician. After reporting symtoms, recommendations for treatment can be made, and logistics arranged to re-stock community medical supplies, transport a medical professional to the site, or arrange for emergency transport of a patient to a hospital in a larger community.
If you want to permanently raise the standard of living, then EDUCATE. If you combine this computing/communications system with a handful of shared units like the SimPuter (or similar PDA, though hopefully powered rechargeable batteries charged with renewable energy sources), then you can read manuals and read/compose email offline, and download educational courseware to bootstrap classrooms in even the most remote region. Again, the wireless link provides access to expert advice from professional teachers located in more settled areas. I'd like to point out that the SimPuter includes a GUI that supports iconic systems, and a text-to-speech engine that works for Hindi... Laotian can't be that much more of a stretch, so ultimately, even the illiterate can benefit from this.
And since the Jhai system runs on storage batteries charged by pedal generators, there are less issues with this power source than you think. It is possible to charge a large storage battery over a period of time, so that the computer can be run long enough to load and send/receive your communications for the day, and download it to PDAs for access offline.
This is a tool for importation of useless trivia, it a way of connecting remote villages to knowledge they need to achieve the standard of living that you (and I) wish for them.
I haven't notices any mention of the SOLO, a project to develop a RISC workstation for use with renewable energy resources in third world countries.
The Solo is an ultra-low power, transportable computer designed to operate from a number of different power sources including solar panels and lead-acid vehicle batteries. Its ultra-low-power design enables it to be used indefinitely away from sources of mains electricity.
Solo is a transportable rather than a portable computer. The entire device can be solid state, having no disc drives or moving parts. The base operating system is in ROM, applications in Flash RAM and the usual RAM for workspace. For certain software requiring ongoing disc-access, a 1-inch microdrive replaces the internal Compact Flash. It uses a TFT Liquid Crystal Display, which may optionally be touch sensitive, removing the need for a separate keyboard and mouse. It may be supplied in a variety of configurations and screen sizes depending on the location of the manufacturer and their intended market.
The Solo is designed to be assembled and supported by manufacturing companies based within Third World countries thereby offering employment within a high-technology industry without moving to an advanced westernised city.
Also, the idea of using pedal generators is not new, but not yet well developed. The Light Project uses pedal-generators and storage bateries to power white LED lamp to provide indoor lighting in third-world countries for living working and education.
The Labs has a section on internet appliances, including home-brew refurbishing of older pen-based PCs. They have advice for loading Linux and BSD on the Fujistu Stylistic 1000 and 1200.
Bothmodels can be found on eBay.
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I'm pretty sure the weakness goes all the way down to th protocol. A remote X client program wouldn't be able to accomodate significant differences between two different servers, should such differences exist (screen size, color map, etc.). The X server can be thought of as a 'thin client' but very complex, it's behavior being closely tied to the hardware configuration on which it's run.
Screen, and any apps the user may run under it, are all 'server side', requiring only a thin client (a basic terminal emulator and ssh or telnet) on the remote end(s). Little accomodation need me made at the server side, simply because it has low expectations to begin with.
My "neterotextual" desktop includes screen, BitTornado (buttorrent), muttella(filesharing), centericq (IM), mutt (mail), pal (calendar), tdl (to-do), sclj (livejournal client), w3m (web browser), wget , ncftp, netcat, bash and vi. I've been looking at using a combination of blosxom and some wiki software for keeping prgress notes and such; bryar is looking very good at this moment.
I used to be a huge fan of the Google toolbar for IE, until I found Dave's Quick Search Deskbar.
It's the single most useful utiltity that I start up at boot time, other than AV and firewall software.
I note that DORKASS.COM is still being held by a domain name speculator.
Seems to me like some dorkass has already paid about as much as you could expect for the domain.
Yo, A.C.: You're right, as long as you look at it from a "PC in every hut" perspective.
You are correct in prioritizing drinking water, sanitation, and medicine among the Laotians greatest needs. This computing and communications initiative should be purposed as a tool for community support. Wireless communications relayed from ridgetop to ridgetop by will give these remote communities access to information resources in larger, urban areas that can enhance the communities ability to sustain it's own needs.
Some of the populated areas in Laos are similar to terrains in the Americas that we call "damn-near innaccessible". Parts cannot just be fed-exed for reparing water pumps and filtration systems. The Laotians need solutions based as much as possible on sustainable technology that they can maintain and repair without unneccessary external logistics. And when thing really get FUBAR, they need access to expert information on how to proceed with repairs, or arrange for ordering and transport of replacement parts... even plan for community growth. The system can be used to receive informational materials to train locals in the basic use and repair of infrastructure.
There is no "minor medical emergency center" down the block in these areas. When medical needs go beyond first aid, these people could benefit from even the most basic access to the advice of a physician. After reporting symtoms, recommendations for treatment can be made, and logistics arranged to re-stock community medical supplies, transport a medical professional to the site, or arrange for emergency transport of a patient to a hospital in a larger community.
If you want to permanently raise the standard of living, then EDUCATE. If you combine this computing/communications system with a handful of shared units like the SimPuter (or similar PDA, though hopefully powered rechargeable batteries charged with renewable energy sources), then you can read manuals and read/compose email offline, and download educational courseware to bootstrap classrooms in even the most remote region. Again, the wireless link provides access to expert advice from professional teachers located in more settled areas. I'd like to point out that the SimPuter includes a GUI that supports iconic systems, and a text-to-speech engine that works for Hindi... Laotian can't be that much more of a stretch, so ultimately, even the illiterate can benefit from this.
And since the Jhai system runs on storage batteries charged by pedal generators, there are less issues with this power source than you think. It is possible to charge a large storage battery over a period of time, so that the computer can be run long enough to load and send/receive your communications for the day, and download it to PDAs for access offline. This is a tool for importation of useless trivia, it a way of connecting remote villages to knowledge they need to achieve the standard of living that you (and I) wish for them.
I haven't notices any mention of the SOLO, a project to develop a RISC workstation for use with renewable energy resources in third world countries.
Also, the idea of using pedal generators is not new, but not yet well developed. The Light Project uses pedal-generators and storage bateries to power white LED lamp to provide indoor lighting in third-world countries for living working and education.
The Labs has a section on internet appliances, including home-brew refurbishing of older pen-based PCs. They have advice for loading Linux and BSD on the Fujistu Stylistic 1000 and 1200. Both models can be found on eBay.
But I had my money on HMO's using this practice first!
-- my former manager, upon hearing that the PHB's had invested a lot of money in an untested and very awkward document and form automation system