From: John Hibbs <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [DDN] Assistance to design a computer lab - inside a 40 foot van
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The very good news, for which I am extremely, extremely grateful, is the many responses to this enquiry. It is pleasantly surprising about the extent of the work and money that has gone into this kind of idea.
The bad news is that I sense that many of these undertakings - like one I viewed at the Houston Community College some years ago - ultimately "failed".
They did not "fail" because the computers didn't work. They did not "fail" because there was no traffic through their doors. They "failed", I suspect, because they relied on continuous grants or continuing public expenditure - a reminder of the old saw appropriate to capitalists societies that "if it can't be measured, check closely for its worth". (or something like that.)
NOW --
I would very, very much like to have an ongoing discussion about how a "computer van" can be sustained without *cash* additions from public sources. (I believe it is reasonably possible for public contributions to come in the form of providing high visibility locations, and/or by part time employees, and.or by modest hand clapping and/or some dimes here and there. But the public can't be expected to shell out big dough for long periods when the results can't be reliably "measured").
While my own beliefs are outlined, in boring depth at http://www.bfranklin.edu/friend
the truth is you don't have to wade through all of that to learn that what *I* visualize is as follows:
(a) we need the cheapest outer shell we can find - and one that can be towed if the location "runs dry". I argue:
b) ..that a 40'or 44 foot container fits this requirement because they are cheap and because they could be shipped overseas with all the goodies inside same, with local furnishing to be provided by the locals at much, much cheaper costs than if provided here. They can be replicated and anyone that has ever seen a large advertising billboard can easily imagine their signage advantages.
(c) ....that inside this shell is a multi purpose facility, some of which would be for the public good, such as:
(c) ....keyboarding training for those 12 and other - not a bad market for those seeking to get inside their parent's pocketbook
(d) ....for profit employee training for those employed near the shell
(e) ....for profit advertising by those with e-products to sell --distance education and distance training vendors particularly. (perhaps with some of their products "delivered" inside the shell? but most "delivered" to homes - at least in Canada, the U.S. western Europe.
(f) ....as a Display Center or Training Center or Sales Center for those providing either hardware or software
(g) ....as a revenue center for advertising on the "long sides" of the van - with signs that can be changed affordably - if city busses can have commercial advertising, why not on a van sitting next to the City Hall? Public transportation center? Or any high visibility location? (Note: High tech sign makers have responded nicely to my contacts with them.)
NOW --
What I am saying here is that the "next step" has yet to be taken - how to make these shells sustainable over the long term? If we can find that "next step" could not this idea be an important cog in the machinery set up to reduce the Divide?
NOW --
Perhaps someone would tell us where those most interested could blog? Or start a new list serv?
Thank you for all your responses. Where can we go from here?
John Hibbs [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.bfranklin.edu/johnhibbs http://www.bfranklin.edu/friend
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