On December 3rd, Simon Woodside wrote: excerpt:
> It's been assumed so far that once an internet connection is available, > the internet is superior. And yes -- since on the internet, my rural > users can talk back, hold conversations, email their relatives, use VoIP > -- all impossible with WorldSpace. > > Now you have described a situation which adds a dialup to the regular > WorldSpace receiver unit. But why would anyone bother with WorldSpace at > all if they have dialup internet access? > > We run the risk of applying a technology (WorldSpace) "just because we > can" in that situation. Reply: Simon, perhaps I was not clear in my submission. 1. Given local availability, my preference is obviously high speed internet followed by 2-way satellite. And if neither are available at "financially self-sustainable" cost locally, then some combination of dialup (depending on speed) and 1-way multicast is a viable alternative. Let me also clarify, I am an advocate of 1-way multicast to achieve certain objectives, as described below and am not an advocate of WorldSpace as the optimal medium to accomplish this. 2. The totally integrated, sustainable, turnkey solution I have been describing in previous messages can best be described as a "Distributed ASP" model. While this may appear to be a bit paradoxical, it turns the traditional model of centrally hosted and managed data with remote user access upside-down. In this model, the applications, content, user data, and selected web sites are all hosted locally on a server in the school or TeleCenter or Post Office or the Bank and remotely managed. All content stored on this local Axxess Server is encrypted for secure protection of the licensed Intellectual Property hosted on the server, thus ensuring that a rich array of digital resources are available that would otherwise not be distributed in many of the underserved regions of the world. This local server provides high speed (local area network) access at 100 MB/second wired or 11 MB/sec wireless ensuring a rich local user experience. 3. The reason for using 1-way multicast, be it from WorldSpace, Hughes (HNS), or any other satellite provider with whom Advanced Interactive has global distribution agreements is that all of that data is updated nightly. In this way, any incremental changes that may have been made to the original copy of this data hosted at IP developers site are broadcast to the local server so it is always current as of the previous night. No other mode of delivery can ensure such faithful delivery of the volume of data being transmitted nightly to the large number of servers located around the globe, in a span of a couple of hours each night. This is both a low cost and highly reliable solution that has been built to enable sustainable connected communities and the ability to easily replicate across large geographies quickly. The locally stored content can vary and all data access is tracked to the User ID level for IP protection, as well as, to ensure the optimal, relevant user experience. 4. Simon, to your point of why have 1-way if you have dialup access? The answer is that it would be impossible to push any volume of data to this local server over the low speed dialup service available in many digitally underserved regions. The Axxess solution I speak of will operate anywhere on planet earth that you have satellite coverage and have a reliable energy source, including alternative energy (solar, wind, biogas, biomass, generator, etc.). This means that even in the most remote village or community (where there is some level of up dialup access), this solution can erase the technical barriers that impede delivering reliable access to rich education, health, and information resources. It also provides an email account, a web page, a personal file storage on the server, and requires only a 200 Mhz Pentium PC to operate as the server is already equipped with WebMail and OpenOffice software to allow users with immediate productivity tools. And, as the user is attached to a local server, even though their email message may be batched out in the next dial out connection, they are not delayed from maximizing their time on one of the local computers in their school, Internet Cafe, TeleCenter, or at work. 5. Teacher Professional Development resources and user training on simple things like how to keyboard and how to have a positive experience on the Internet are crucial. As many other contributors have discussed, one of the hurdles to local adoption is the need to make this useful in the local context. From running movies that are broadcast to this Axxess Server via whatever terrestrial or satellite link exists, to playing the daily news (local or international) over loud speakers in the town square, this Content Server becomes the local library, Data Center, News Depot, Business Center, email Server, File and Print Server, Web Server and a range of other services. And, where 2-way wireless or terrestrial connectivity is available, it also hosts VoIP connections and secure VPN connections (even over satellite using a technology that allows for much higher speed transmission than TCP/IP communications). In summary, Simon, I agree with your submission that given choice and affordability on an ongoing basis, 1-way multicast is a part of the solution with a specific purpose. And, in the interim until sustainable alternatives appear, it is providing a very useful service in delivering sustainable, connected communities around the world. I hope I have clarified the confusion I may have created in my earlier message and encourage feedback from others. Regards Robert Miller EVP Global Inc. Direct: (416) 423-9100 Mobile: (416) 464-7525 Fax: (416) 696-9734 History teaches us that people and nations behave wisely, once they have exhausted all other alternatives.... Abba Eban ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
