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| I'm very involved in editing development-related topics on Wikipedia. Registered here on 26 June 2006. | | I'm very involved in editing development-related topics on Wikipedia. ([[Wikipedia:User:Singkong2005|My Wikipedia page]]. Registered on Appropedia on 26 June 2006. |
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| Just noting some thoughts for now, to become a page later...
| | [[Wikipedia:User:Singkong2005/Low cost computer|'''Low cost computer''']] - this is an Appropedia project by nature, but I wanted to invite computer enthusiasts (e.g. MiniLinux programmers) to contribute, without the hurdle of registration. So I've placed it in my Wikipedia userspace. |
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| =[[Low cost computer]]= | | ==Main interests== |
| | I'm a water and sanitation engineer by training; however I'm interested in broader appropriate technology, development & sustainability issues, and edit on this range of topics in Wikipedia. |
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| This is meant as a resource for those wishing to build low cost computers, suitable for developing countries, and for those wanting to reuse old computers or computer parts. The hardware choices are more relevant to new computers (or new parts) but the software choices apply to both.
| | ==What I do== |
| | I will soon be leaving Australia, on a one-way ticket. First stop Indonesia, followed by East Timor, Thailand and India (details yet to be worked out). |
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| It describes the choices available, depending on desired features such as:
| | As I travel, I look forward to contacting development, environmental and permaculture organisations, and assisting where I can. I expect to be learning more than assisting though, and I certainly don't present myself as a foreign expert. My main way of contributing to development will be through developing Wikipedia and Appropedia. |
| *ultra-low power consumption and battery or crank power (always desirable, but not essential if mains supply is available)
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| *portability
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| *storage type (hard disk, flash)
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| ==Existing projects==
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| There are several projects to develop and sell a low cost computer for the developing world. These are not yet ready, although the [[wikipedia:$100 laptop|$100 laptop]] is planned for release in early 2007.
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| For more information, see the Wikipedia articles for these projects:
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| *[[wikipedia:$100 laptop|$100 laptop]] (Note this will be subsidised, and the $100 target won't be reached immediately. It is proposed that anyone can buy one, for approximately $225(?), which will help subsidise the cheaper ones.)
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| *[[wikipedia:Simputer|Simputer]]
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| *[[wikipedia:Jhai Foundation|Jhai Foundation]]
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| *African project (name, link?) more features, but an estimated cost above US$1100. Intended for groups rather than individuals.
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| ==CPU (chip)==
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| (Make Table - cost, speed, suitable o/s)
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| ==Storage type==
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| The main options for storage are:
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| *hard disk
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| *flash
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| The [[wikipedia:$100 laptop|$100 laptop]] has no hard disk, using a (flash drive instead? how is data stored between sessions?)
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| ==RAM==
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| Some Linux systems (see below) require as little as 4 MB of RAM - though more is obviously better.
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| ==Operating system==
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| ===Windows===
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| Windows is the best known system; however, we don't want to spend this much money, even if we have a computer which can run Windows.
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| Pirate versions are common in some developing countries, but:
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| *Obviously Appropedia can't endorse pirate software, and
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| *By using Linux, we encourage and tap into a community of users and open-source programmers who are likely to support our efforts.
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| Windows also is more resource-hungry, less reliable and stable than Linux.
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| ===Linux===
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| Using a lightweight version of Linux specially designed for older computers may be the best option. Even 486 machines can run with some of these.
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| Linux is also free.
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| Some of the distributions (i.e. versions) of Linux can be difficult to install if you're unfamiliar, so it is planned that this section will link to.
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| See:
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| *[[Wikipedia:List of Linux distributions#Small or lightweight distributions for use with older machines|These MiniLinux mini-distributions]]
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| ==Software==
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| The requirements for software are:
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| *Free
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| *Easy to use
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| *Low resource use
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| Distributions of Linux typically include some applications. Additional sutiable software may be found by following these links:
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| ...
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| ==Media drives==
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| Unless otherwise stated, the drives shown are for desktop systems.
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| {|
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| |-
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| |Drive type||Cost (retail)||Cost (bulk)||Energy usage||Pros||Cons
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| |CD || || || ||Allows information distribution by CD ||Info distribution is often by DVD now.
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| |-
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| |CD-RW (read-write)|| || || || ||Allows users to share information more easily.
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| |-
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| |DVD|| || || || ||Expense?
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| |DVD-RW|| || || || ||Expense?
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| |}
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| ==Portability==
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| For Wikipedia articles on other appropriate technology ICT projects, see [[Wikipedia:Appropriate technology#Information and communication technology|here]].
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| ==Power issues==
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| ===Low usage options===
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| The [[wikipedia:$100 laptop|$100 laptop]] is planned to use 2 W of power or less. This is a great boon where power is limited or expensive.
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| However, in many contexts, where mains power is available, moderate power consumption is not a big problem, and it may not be worth the hardware cost to use ultra-low power consumption items.
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| ===Battery===
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| Likely to be expensive.
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| Also less than ideal from an environmental point of view, particularly where recycling options are not available.
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| {|
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| |Options||Cost||Power output||Operating time
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| Alternatives for areas without mains power:
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| * Manually operated generators ([[#Crank power]]);
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| * An undesirable option is local energy production (e.g. solar or wind), and use only when power is available. This is very unreliable, restrictive, and leaves the computer prone to suddenly cutting off when the sun or wind drops.
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| ===Crank power===
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| The [[wikipedia:$100 laptop|$100 laptop]] is likely to have an optional hand-crank or foot-pedal, which will be a separate unit (to avoid damage to the computer by the physical stresses of cranking).
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| ==Resistance to sand and dust==
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| Any moving parts will be particularly vulnerable.
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| If a conventional computer system is used, damage can be reduced by:
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| *Keeping the computer unit on a desk, not on the floor. Even with a mesh over the fan inlet, dusty air near the floor will harm the computer over time.
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I'm very involved in editing development-related topics on Wikipedia. (My Wikipedia page. Registered on Appropedia on 26 June 2006.
Low cost computer - this is an Appropedia project by nature, but I wanted to invite computer enthusiasts (e.g. MiniLinux programmers) to contribute, without the hurdle of registration. So I've placed it in my Wikipedia userspace.
Main interests
I'm a water and sanitation engineer by training; however I'm interested in broader appropriate technology, development & sustainability issues, and edit on this range of topics in Wikipedia.
What I do
I will soon be leaving Australia, on a one-way ticket. First stop Indonesia, followed by East Timor, Thailand and India (details yet to be worked out).
As I travel, I look forward to contacting development, environmental and permaculture organisations, and assisting where I can. I expect to be learning more than assisting though, and I certainly don't present myself as a foreign expert. My main way of contributing to development will be through developing Wikipedia and Appropedia.
