November 17, 2005
For Cranky Supporters of Technology
I love this AP story:
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) - A cheap laptop boasting wireless network access and a hand-crank to provide electricity is expected to start shipping in February or March to help extend technology to school-aged children worldwide. [Emphasis added]
Here's a picture:
Sure, great for kids; but this same model could extend web connectivity to poor people in countries all over the world. Rather than having to string electrical wiring to every household -- nice but impractical in some areas -- you only have to keep power to a series of wireless relay antennas, a much easier task. This is the same idea as those hand-cranked radios survivalists are always touting (except you do need a wireless network).
For those worried about terrorists, I think we can just assume they have already rigged up generators and satellite uplinks on their own; this is for those honest folks who don't have hundreds of thousands of petrodollars to fund nefarious activities.
(Say, is it just me, or does it look as if that crank isn't going to clear the tabletop as it rotates around?)
Next step: the WiFi-access ready Etch-a-Sketch!
Hatched by Dafydd on this day, November 17, 2005, at the time of 9:16 PM
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