Fwd: [LINK] Making governance and education accessible to remote indigenous communities via the web

[Tom Worthington]

At 09:58 AM 24/07/2007, Janet Hawtin wrote:
>On 7/23/07, Tom Worthington <Tom.Worthington at tomw.net.au> wrote:
>
>This kind of model? http://www.enterpriseinnovation.net/news.php?id=587

Yes, but that article ("Intel CEO brings World Ahead Program to 
India") seemed to be about Intel showing India how to use low cost 
PCs and networking. Having spent a few weeks in an Indian village 
<http://www.tomw.net.au/travel/india.shtml>, I doubt that there is 
anything Intel USA and Microsoft USA can tell India about how to do 
low cost IT. In contrast, the head offices of those companies should 
be asking their Indian branches for advice on what to do.

However, the basic approach outlined in the article is the right one:

     * "Working with local tech companies ... low-cost ... desktop 
PCs, with easy-to-use interface designed to introduce a new set of 
people to the world of technology for the first time." But I am not 
sure that PCs are a good choice for anyone any more. Laptops would be 
better for standalone use and thin clients for multi user systems 
would be better.

     * "Intel and Microsoft will collaborate to engineer and deliver 
flexible, pay-as-you-go PC purchasing models in emerging markets..."

Indian business people could probably teach Intel and Microsoft much 
more about how to do flexible ways to do purchasing models. And of 
course it does not make sense to be paying for software, when you can 
use free open source.

     * "Intel will work closely with Tata VSNL to bring Intel-based 
PC solutions and WiMAX wireless broadband connectivity ...".

Tata were also marketing CDMA based wireless local loop services with 
low broadband speed. This provides a lower capital cost option where 
CDMA is already installed for mobile phone use.

     * "Small, affordable and rugged learning devices for students 
based on Intel's platform will be available in India next year. ..."

I am not sure what devices they are referring to, but if they are 
$100 PC OLPC type devices, these would also be useful for home and 
small business use.



Tom Worthington FACS HLM tom.worthington at tomw.net.au Ph: 0419 496150
Director, Tomw Communications Pty Ltd            ABN: 17 088 714 309
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